Professional Practice and Licensure

In the United States, becoming a licensed architect requires three components: education (a NAAB-accredited degree, typically a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture or 3-year Master of Architecture), experience (the Architectural Experience Program, or AXP, requiring 3,740 hours across six practice areas), and examination (the Architect Registration Examination, or ARE, consisting of six divisions covering practice management, project management, programming, planning, project development, and construction evaluation). Most candidates complete the process in 8-12 years after starting college. Licensure protects the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals stamp and sign construction documents.