Basic Qualifications

• Architects need the visual orientation and skill with special relationships needed to communicate their design ideas visually to clients. Artistic and drawing ability is helpful, although creativity is essential. The ability to work individually and as a member of a team is also needed. Computer skills are important since most projects are developed through the use of Computer Aided Design applications.
  
  

Education

• A professional degree in architecture is available from one of the 117 schools accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Typically lasting five years, a bachelor's degree in architecture is highly specialized, making transferring to another program difficult. Courses include architectural history and theory, building design, construction methods, math, physical sciences and technology. The design studio is where students create drawings and three-dimensional models of their designs.
  
  

Training Period

• All states require architecture graduates to complete a training period that usually lasts at least three years before obtaining a license. They follow standards set by the Intern Development Program developed by the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Training requires supervision by a licensed architect, which most graduates obtain by interning at architectural firms. Interns may help design projects, prepare architectural documents or drawings, research building codes or write some project specifications.
  
  

Licensing

• After meeting all requirements for education and training, graduates must pass the Architect Registration Examination before they can call themselves architects. The seven divisions of the exam consist of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank or graphical questions and may be taken in any order within five years. They cover such topics as site planning and design, structural systems and constructions documents. The exams are available exclusively on computers at Prometric test centers around the country.