How to get your architect’s license by exam

Requirements

If you haven’t started IDP or had any activity for over 5 years, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• and
• Have an accredited architectural degree and have successfully completed IDP.
  or
  Have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 9 years of practical architectural work experience, which includes completion of IDP.
  • Before enrolling in IDP, you must have had at least 6 years of work experience, with at least 3 years of experience under the direct supervision of an architect.
  • Unaccredited and related degrees can receive partial credit toward experience requirements. See WAC 308-12-025 for details.

For details about these requirements, please see RCW 18.08.350.

How to apply

If you have a non-accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture from a university not recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or are applying with work experience only:

1. Work directly with NCARB during Intern Development Program (IDP) training.
2. After you’ve successfully completed IDP:
   • Have NCARB transmit your record to us.
   • Have your college or university send us any official transcripts not included in your IDP record.
   • Have your verifiers send us completed employment and experience summary forms to document your work experience outside of IDP.
   • Send us your completed Architect Registration Initial Application and a check or money order for the non-refundable fee (payable to the Department of Licensing).
3. When your application is complete, we’ll register you to take the Architect Registration Exams (ARE).
   • Starting July 1, 2013, there will be an estimated 8-week blackout for ARE candidates. To learn more, see 2013 New ARE Systems on the NCARB website.
4. When you’ve passed the entire ARE and, if necessary, the oral exam, submit:
   • A check or money order for the $75 initial 2-year registration fee (payable to the Department of Licensing).
   • A written summary of Washington laws and rules. The summary must:
     • Be written in sufficient detail to show a thorough understanding of the laws and rules (approximately 20–30 pages total).
     • Not be a verbatim copy of the law.
     • Be typed and double-spaced, and include:
       • All sections and subsections of RCW 18.08.
       • All sections and subsections of RCW 18.235.
       • All sections and subsections of WAC 308-12.
       • The title of each subsection of the laws and rules.
       • A signed, dated Law Summary Affidavit.
     Note: You don’t need to summarize redacted sections or subsections of the laws and rules. Footnotes aren’t required.