Updates from our Licensing Advisor

Posted on by cguske

It’s starting to feel like fall again, and hopefully our Component’s Candidates and Supervisors are coming off a fun, educational, and productive summer. Back in July I had the opportunity to attend NCARB’s bi-annual Licensing Advisor Summit in Minneapolis, along with dozens of other Licensing Advisors from around the globe. As an attendee and presenter, I had a unique perspective as I engaged with new and experienced Advisors, attended sessions by other subject matter experts, and learned alongside others in our community. NCARB has been busy working on the objectives of their strategic plan and had plenty of updates to share, some leadership changes, and new resources for Advisors and Candidates.

One of the biggest steps in their quest to improve the licensure process is the rollout of the Competency Standard for Architects. The objective of the Standard is to define a baseline for the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that all newly licensed architects must have as they enter practice. It includes 16 Competencies in three domains, that are vital and necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and establishes the level of proficiency needed for an individual to qualify for initial licensure. Architects must also maintain these capabilities to remain competent as they grow in their careers.

The three domains and 16 competencies are:

Design & Documentation Domain

  1. Assess regulatory design requirements.
  2. Evaluate existing project conditions.
  3. Develop a program that establishes project criteria.
  4. Create design solutions that support public and environmental well-being.
  5. Integrate socio-demographic considerations and universal design principles.
  6. Create design solutions that address project requirements.
  7. Create deliverables that convey a design solution.
  8. Coordinate the integration of building systems into a project design.

Construction Administration Domain

  • Prepare and administer documentation of the construction phase.
  • Evaluate the progress of construction for conformance with contract documents and design intent.

Practice & Project Management Domain

  1. Execute contracts for professional services.
  2. Implement a work plan according to a project’s scope, schedule, and budget.
  3. Organize and coordinate an interdisciplinary project team.
  4. Understand statutes and regulations that govern architectural practice within U.S. jurisdictions to provide services legally.
  5. Understand ethical and professional standards that govern architectural practice.
  6. Understand foundational business principles to operate a practice.

The overview of the Standard sparked a lively discussion and lots of questions in the room and the group delved into the development of the new guidelines. In general, the 16 Competencies should not be viewed as discreet items or “all an architect needs to know.” They’re meant to be umbrella categories that more detailed tasks and skillsets fall under. Many of the competencies include both quantitative and qualitative aspects of practice, in an effort to ensure that architects are well-rounded professionals; are up to date on technical codes and standards, meet project and client requirements, administer the construction phase of a project, and stay engaged with their local communities. The inclusion of these requirements will be gradually incorporated into the AXP and ARE – none of this will be applied overnight, so don’t worry about big changes to exam content or your experience areas. If you want to dive in and learn more, you can find more about the Competency Standard online.

I’m also excited that AIA Virginia has re-appointed me to serve as the Component Appointed Licensing Advisor through August 2027! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of our Candidates in the Commonwealth over the last few years and look forward to working with more of you in the future.

As always, your questions about AXP, the AREs, or NCARB in general are always welcome and encouraged.

Gina Robinson, AIA
Architect Licensing Advisor – Virginia
gina.robinson@hdrinc.com

A Review of the Recent Changes to the ARE 5.0

Posted on by cguske

If you’re a current licensure candidate or AXP supervisor, you’ve probably heard about recent changes to the ARE 5.0. If this is news to you, fear not – NCARB is only making some small changes based on industry updates and data they’ve gathered – it’s not a complete overhaul of the exam. The changes include:

International Code Council Version Update

All ARE 5.0 exams will now reference the 2021 ICC family of codes and include all codes that the current version of the International Building Code references. The intent of this change is to keep the exam items consistent with current professional practice, as many jurisdictions have adopted the 2021 code. Keep in mind that the exams do not require (or even expect) candidates to memorize the building code, but you do need to understand the content and be able to interpret and apply any references provided within the exam.

Quantitative Fill in the Blank (QFIB) Item Retirement

No more transcribing numbers into a blank answer box! ARE Candidates will still be required to complete calculations in order to answer exam items, but you will no longer have to type a number from the calculator into a box in order to answer the item. All of the other item types will still be included in each of the exams, including multiple-choice, check all that apply, hotspot, and drag and place. This change comes directly from NCARB’s industry research which has found that the other item formats are more consistent and effective. Everything else about the exam format will stay the same.

Exam Security Enhancements

If you have taken a division of the ARE, you know that NCARB and the testing centers they work with are serious about exam security. It might seem a little over the top to sign the ARE Candidate Agreement and roll up your pant legs for inspection, but all the implemented security measures are intended to ensure the validity of the ARE. The content of each exam division is confidential (and copyrighted) and sharing or discussion of specific ARE items is prohibited by the Candidate Agreement. You may have seen that just last month, three ARE Candidates were reprimanded by NCARB for Seeking or Failing to Report Disclosed ARE Content, and their names were shared publicly. An official reprimand is often accompanied by invalidated test results, suspended testing authorization, or denial of an NCARB Certificate. Reprimands are also shared with licensing boards, who may revoke the candidate’s license. The updated Exam Security and Candidate Misconduct section of the ARE 5.0 Guidelines has more information. These tests are tough for a reason, so don’t risk delaying or losing your opportunity to get licensed by looking for a loophole.

These three changes went into effect just a few weeks ago on February 27, 2024. If you’re an ARE candidate who has exams scheduled and has started studying, don’t let these changes discourage you. The content of the items and overall format of the exam is not fundamentally changing, and you do not need to re-study information if you’re already comfortable with it. NCARB has also updated its free practice exams to reflect the 2021 ICC and QFIB changes.

If you’d like to learn more about these updates, NCARB has a recorded webinar on their YouTube page which includes a deep dive into the exam security updates and a Q&A with Candidates. There’s also a post on their press page with links to the resources you’ll need.

As always, your questions about AXP, the AREs, or NCARB in general are always welcome and encouraged. Happy studying and good luck with your exams,

Gina Robinson, AIA
Architect Licensing Advisor – Virginia
gina.robinson@hdrinc.com 

An Update from our Licensing Advisor

Posted on by cguske

Hello and happy autumn, Candidates, Supervisors, and fellow Advisors! I am so excited to take on the role of Architect Licensing Advisor for the Commonwealth and to help you along your career journey, no matter the season. In case you’re wondering why I’m here and what this is all about, here’s a little background on the role.

Architect Licensing Advisors are volunteers who share their time to assist licensure candidates and architects as they work toward initial licensure, reciprocity, supervision, or mentorship. Anyone can be an Advisor and most volunteer with their firms, however, some are appointed by their university or (like myself) their AIA Component. Some Advisors only serve for a few years, and others have done so for decades. The community of Advisors includes students, new graduates, mid-career professionals, educators, licensing board members, and retirees.

No matter how we came to the role of Advisor, or how long we’ve been in it, we all share a commitment to assisting current and aspiring architects as they navigate the sometimes overwhelming path ahead. This could not have been made more clear than at NCARB’s biannual Licensing Advisors Summit, held this summer in Kansas City. Attendees came from all over the US and beyond (one from as far as Guam!) to connect with others, share their ideas and perspectives, and learn about NCARB’s new initiatives, policies, and support they have to offer their members. I have already learned so much from the vast network I connected with at the Summit, and left energized and full of ideas for ways to engage with our AIA Virginia community.

It’s easy to look at a large national organization like NCARB and feel like you’re just a Record Number sending emails and frustration into the void but I promise; they, like us, are real people. And they really are invested in supporting the licensure candidates and architects that they serve. If you ever reach a point where you feel helpless, hopeless, or like you’re going backward instead of forward – that’s where your Licensing Advisor can step in. Advisors have access to our greatest resource, the knowledge and experience of others, and can crowdsource advice or solutions if an answer isn’t readily available.

Thanks to our previous Advisor Michael Hammon, AIA for setting the bar high. I’ll be sharing additional resources and guidance with you during my two-year term. Please feel free to reach out, especially if there’s a topic you’re curious to learn more about, or a resource you think would be helpful to others. Questions about AXP, the AREs, or NCARB in general are always welcome and encouraged. I’m looking forward to connecting with you and supporting your path in any way that I can.

Gina Robinson, AIA
Architect Licensing Advisor – Virginia
gina.robinson@hdrinc.com  

Robinson New State Licensing Advisor

Posted on by cguske

The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of individuals committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects.

The program is led by NCARB and jointly supported by the American Institute of Architects. The AIA Virginia Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Gina Robinson, Associate AIA as Virginia’s Architect Licensing Advisor for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023.

Get to know our new licensing advisor below! And if you are on the path to licensure and have any questions, please reach out to Gina at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com or Cathy Guske at cguske@aiava.org.

Gina Robinson
Senior Design Coordinator at HDR
Associate AIA, WELL AP
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Gina brings over 15 years of experience to her current role as Senior Design Coordinator with HDR in Arlington, Virginia. Though the first years of her career through the Great Recession were challenging, she gained early experience in Charlotte, NC, and Suzhou, China, before settling in Northern Virginia in 2014. Since joining HDR in 2015, she has come to specialize in public sector projects, working with large, multidisciplinary teams on complex deliverables.

After her time working overseas, Gina was eager to engage with other professionals after her return to the US and became an active participant in the AIA Northern Virginia Women in Architecture committee, regularly attending events and even volunteering to help plan the Women’s Leadership Summit that took place in 2017.

Over the past five years, Gina has developed her focus on mentorship and advocacy, focusing on increasing diversity and transparent communications to emerging professionals as they begin their careers in architecture. After serving two terms as Associate Director on the AIA Virginia Board of Directors, she participated in the Honors Committee Diversity Task Force and most recently in the Inclusivity into the Profession Task Force, both also facilitated by AIA Virginia. These experiences, combined with her background and early career obstacles, have motivated her to become actively involved in recruiting for HDR. Gina has participated in career fairs, interviews, and has supervised summer interns and young professionals as they begin their careers.

Thank You

Posted on by cguske

Please help us give a big “Thank You” to Michael Hammon, AIA.
Michael has been our State NCARB Licensing Advisor for the past 4 years.

In the 4 years since his appointment by the AIA Virginia Board of Directors, Michael has answered MANY member questions about licensure, IDP/AXP supervision, and shared advice with those on the path to licensure.

The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of volunteers committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to
architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects.

Thank you for your service, Michael!

Virginia Licensing Advisor

Posted on by cguske

The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of individuals committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects.

The program is led by NCARB and jointly supported by the American Institute of Architects. AIA Virginia members are fortunate to have been guided by Michael Hammon, AIA the last 4 years (2 terms). As Michael finished his term this summer, we are looking for a new State Licensing Advisor. Are you interested in helping young professionals through the licensure process? Do you like to help your colleagues with issues of reciprocity and licensure? If you are interested in being considered for this appointment, please email pbattaglia@aiava.org.

Here’s some more info from NCARB on the Licensing Advisor appointment>>

If you are on the path to licensure and have any questions, you can still reach out to Michael at mhammon@glaveandholmes.com before the end of June or Cathy Guske at cguske@aiava.org.

Licensing FAQ

Posted on by cguske

The last couple months have been a bit unstable to say the least.  For many who are in the process of taking exams and studying for them it has been a sort of limbo that no one asked for. NCARB has attempted to get out in front of it all and allow for extensions on testing windows, explanations into testing time tables, and how to continue to gain AXP during these unprecedented times.  While I will never be able to bring to light information at the level of NCARB, I did think it would be a good time to share some of the questions I’m asked relatively often on topics such as examination, studying, reciprocity, and a few other items.

Question: I’ve met my requirements in a category for hours as I accrue them to sit for exams.  Should I continue to accrue hours in those categories even though I’ve met the minimum?

Answer: A simple answer, yes. While doing this it may seem like you’re just stacking hours away in a specific category when you would prefer to have hours going elsewhere, but this can be helpful for a handful of reasons.

  1. It shows where the vast majority of your time is which can help you determine where your possible strengths and weaknesses are with your experience.  This helps with the exams and topics for each section, as well as your general work experience.
  2. It’s helpful in those times where you would like to get opportunities for other work experiences in the office by being able to show superiors where more time could be allocated to assist your growth.
  3. Depending on where you are accruing AXP, logging all hours can help you in other categories if ARE updates to a new and improved 6.0.  When the jump was made from 4.0 to 5.0 how and where credit hours went were moved around.  Those who were short hours in on area were now meeting or exceeding their requirements.  At the moment, there isn’t an ARE 6.0 on the horizon, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Question: With working from home, or not being able to secure a position for a summer internship, what other ways can I accrue hours towards AXP?

Answer: The current times are horribly unfortunate and that’s likely an understatement.  Many AIA chapters, both local and state, would be the first place to look.  Remain tapped in as they have been looking to provide online seminars that can assist in these areas. Even if it doesn’t assist with AXP, there are a number of online seminars that talk to you about the things you will need to know and learn in practice and for exams.  These can range from seminars on curtain wall systems to water and air barriers.

Question: What’s the current situation with Prometric and testing?

Answer: Prometric is currently open although at a limited capacity.  While you may be able to locate a spot to get in there it may be best if you can to wait until later in the fall.  Much of Prometric’s focus currently is on first responders and getting those people in.

Question: With working from home, opportunities to meet specific categories for AXP have become more difficult (CA, etc.), what suggestions are there to continue to accrue time in these categories?

Answer: I would simply advise you to have an honest conversation with your supervisor or studio director.  Hours may become crunched and fees may become tight where jobs are not as likely to have the fluff in them to allow for extra people to contribute to certain phases of projects. 

Question: Where can I find information on obtaining reciprocity in other states/jurisdictions?

Answer: NCARB updated much of the content on their website last year and added in a really helpful page on this very topic.  It provides an interactive map where one can click on the state (or territory) they’re looking to either gain their initial licensure or reciprocity in and what it will require of them.  It will list degree requirements, examinations achieved, additional paperwork, and anything else a jurisdiction will need from you.  In many cases, it will even provide hyperlinks to the appropriate entities to file paperwork or at a minimum who to contact (The link to this is: https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool).

In closing, if at any point you have any questions or need clarification on anything regarding NCARB, AXP, ARE, or reciprocity please reach out, even if your question is an extension of one of the questions above.

Michael Hammon, AIA
mhammon@glaveandholmes.com

Dreiling Honored by NCARB

Posted on by cguske

2020 NCARB President’s Medalists
for Distinguished Service

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, of Massanutten, VA, is recognized for her outstanding leadership of both the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As interim executive director of the NAAB, Dreiling led the organization through a period of critical reflection and restructuring. Her efforts transformed the NAAB and built lasting partnerships both within and outside the realm of architectural education. Her commitment to efficiency and professionalism facilitated a new dynamic with NCARB, its staff, and its volunteers. In addition, Dreiling was elected the 90th president of the AIA after over 18 years of service with the organization. During her tenure in 2014, she oversaw a repositioning of the organization with a focus on cultural transformation, while also promoting efforts to support students, emerging professionals, and young architects.

The highest honor bestowed upon architectural professionals by NCARB—the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service—is awarded each year to individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions and dedication to the Council and the architectural profession.

2020 Laudatories

NCARB wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA for her invaluable contributions to the Board of Directors, the Council and its mission, and the regulation of the architecture profession.

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA
Helene Combs Dreiling stepped away from her role as the interim executive director of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) after leading the organization through a critical restructure, re-energizing its focus on the accreditation of architecture education programs, and strengthening the relationship between NAAB and the Council. She helped guide the development of the groundbreaking 2019 Accreditation Review Forum, ensuring the contributions and collaboration of each of the five collateral organizations for the betterment of the education continuum. NCARB President Terry Allers is awarding Dreiling the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in 2020.

ARE® Q&A and Virtual Happy Hour with NCARB

Bring your favorite drink and join us for a virtual ARE® happy hour. Hear the latest updates and engage in an open question and answer session with NCARB leaders.

Featuring
Harry M. Falconer, Jr., FAIA, NCARB, HonD, Hon. FCARM | Vice President, Experience + Education

Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB, CAE | Vice President, Examination

Sign up and save your spot at the table

Alternative Paths to Licensure – IPAL

Posted on by cguske

As the profession of architecture grows in new and interesting directions, so does the education and licensure paths that feed into it.  Many in the profession are familiar with the typical education path of having an intern position to earn NCARB experience while a student, earning a NAAB accredited degree, earn more experience, and pass the exams.  However, in the past few years, NCARB has been working to provide an alternative path to licensure and is working with state licensing boards to get this path approved as a viable option. This path is known as the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL). 

IPAL is an accelerated path to licensure for students to meet the requirements for licensure while documenting the same hours of work experience, obtaining a NAAB accredited degree, and passing their exams all at once.  When they gather their diploma they will be a fully accredited architect (pending any other requirements from their jurisdiction of practice).  Currently, there are 26 programs at universities that offer the IPAL program.  A majority of the universities offer it as a graduate program, yet there are those that offer it to undergraduates although there may be certain stipulations applied.  These programs typically have tie-ins for work-study programs or strong connections to internship programs with local firms to help facilitate the work experience needed to meet IPAL and NCARB requirements.  Many IPAL participants will need to work what equates to a part-time job at a minimum along with being a full-time student to meet all the requirements to complete the program. 

With a new path to licensure emerging and tying into education requirements provided nationally, those who dream of a career in architecture will have multiple paths to obtaining licensure. In 2018, the first group of IPAL graduates moved into the workforce. It will be interesting to see how their alternative path and experience has molded them as architects, and if any change will be ushered into the profession as a whole.

For more information on IPAL, requirements, and a list of institutions that provide the path, visit https://www.ncarb.org/become-architect/ipal.

article submitted by Virginia Licensing Advisor, Michael Hammon, AIA. You can reach out to Michael at mhammon@glaveandholmes.com with any licensing questions.