Becoming an Architect: Timeline & Process

Table of Contents

1. Education
2. Training
3. Experience
4. Exams
5. Questions Answered

Education

Becoming an architect requires a great deal of education, usually including a professional degree from an accredited school of architecture and sometimes a post-professional degree. Generally, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture can take between five and six years, depending on the program. After graduating from an accredited architecture program, aspiring architects may be required to complete a three-year internship before taking the Architect Registration Exam.

Training

Architects must also receive professional training to become licensed in their jurisdiction. This usually requires a minimum number of hours of professional training in areas such as building codes, structural systems, architectural design, construction systems and professional ethics. The training requirements vary from state to state and can take up to four years to complete.

Experience

Architects are also required to have a certain amount of supervised experience in the field. This can range from working as an intern in an architecture firm to working in a related field such as construction management or engineering. The required amount of experience can range from one to five years, depending on the jurisdiction.

Exams

Finally, architects must pass the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) to become licensed. This exam is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and consists of multiple parts that cover topics such as building design, construction materials and methods, building codes, and professional ethics. The exam can take up to sixteen hours to complete and passing scores may vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Questions Answered

It is not easy to become an architect. It requires a great deal of education, training, and experience. However, it is not impossible. It may take longer if you are starting later in life, but it is possible to become an architect at any age. While it may not be the “hardest degree,” it is certainly one of the most rewarding.

Is it difficult to become a architect?
Yes, it is difficult to become an architect. It requires a great deal of education, training, and experience.

Is 25 too late to become an architect?
No, 25 is not too late to become an architect. It may take longer, but it is possible to become an architect at any age.

Can you become an architect at 40?
Yes, it is possible to become an architect at 40. It may take longer, but it is possible to become an architect at any age.

Is architecture the hardest degree?
No, architecture is not the hardest degree. While it may not be the hardest degree, it is certainly one of the most rewarding.