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licensing vs membership

  • 1.  licensing vs membership

    Posted 04-25-2024 11:50 AM
    As a practionner in Quebec, Canada, I do think that in fact, the licensing procedure must be done in the most detailed matter since the knowledge of local factors and regulation is essential to ensure public safety.

    But then, what is advantage of being an AIA member?

    Marc-André Maillé ing. arch. MOAQ MOIQ NCARB MIRAC Intl. Assoc. AIA

    ARTEFAC

    Trois-Rivieres  Victoriaville   Montréal

    T. 819 862-0054/819 330-0054/ 514 448-2772





  • 2.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 04-26-2024 10:26 AM
    I  have worked in UK, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Spain, UAE, Qatar, KSA, Egypt, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Russia, China, Indonesia, Morocco, Nigeria, Libya, and probably a few other countries. In everyone of those countries I would have had to take licensing equivalent exams if they even allowed that to happen and  in their language. So I have no idea what you are trying to say and do. 
    The fact that the USA is a federation and has over 50 licensing boards that segregate even the rules provided by NCARB is similar to all of the GCC or EU or other countries.
    As international architects we have to live with it similar to medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professional. 
    None of these counties ever stopped any firm I represented or me personally from working as designers and bringing best USA practices and continuing education to where ever I was at the time. 
    Steven 

    PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSULTANTS
    Steven Miller, FAIA, Emeritus, RIBA
    501 SE 2nd Street, Suite 807
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 33301
    Mobile: +1 516 398 2955 
    Professor,School of Architecture, University of Miami,
    Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellow,
    Past President AIA Continental Europe, 
    Founder AIA Middle East and AIA International,
    Past Chairman and member AIA Global Practice Committee,
    Representative to the College of Fellows for AIAInternational








  • 3.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-06-2024 04:44 PM
    From Karl Hartnack, AIA emeritus

    Agree with you wholeheartedly, Steven. 
    My American architectural education and outlook enabled me not only to pass US state board exams, but to work internationally through my own firm on several continents to deliver projects on time, on budget and to program requirements . AIA membership - open in various categories to the international community - provides the opportunity to network and communicate internationally. It does not exempt one from complying with the laws of whatever land the project is in. If one  cannot comply, one has the option of teaming up with someone who can.

    Karl Hartnack AIA em.





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 04-26-2024 10:27 AM
    In my opinion the power of licensing across territories relies on the communication between Schools, Licensing boards and professional associations. If they all communicate and share their educational and testing standards, the new and seasoned Architects looking to practice overseas will be better served. 

    Thanks,
    Jose R McCausland





  • 5.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-03-2024 09:46 AM
    One advantage of international AIA membership is the opportunity it provides to network with other qualified members internationally.  Example from about 20 years ago:  As as a registered Architect in the US and in Germany, I was through my German office able to locate like-minded qualified architects licensed in Switzerland and Turkey from among AIA Europe members to helpeffectively manage and complete  projects in those countries.
    Karl Hartnack AIA em.








    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 04-26-2024 10:27 AM

    Precisely,  99% of acceptance anywhere is our  overwrought code nightmare.  Get government off our backs AIA! 

     

    Travis Price, FAIA

    Travis Price Architects

    2805 Chesterfield Place NW

    Washington, DC 20008  

    202 . 965 . 7000

    www.TravisPriceArchitects.com

    www.SpiritofPlace-Design.com

     

                email red on white

     






  • 7.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-08-2024 01:44 PM

    Since I joined the AIA in 1970 (I am 91 years old now), and through all my years in the AIA Miami, AIA Florida, and 3 years serving as Regional Director for the AIA Florida Caribbean Region, I have been advocating that once a student from an accredited University graduates as an Architect, he/she should be licensed as Architect in the entire Country without having to be examined again of subjects that should have been taught at the University. There are countries that operate like this. Their architects design beautiful buildings that do not collapse. Mexico and Spain are examples.

    There should be a standard of subjects in all the Schools of Architecture of our Universities for the profession, plus there should be some subjects that are not taught now in many universities that are a must.

    I have lectured and lobbied about this subject for a long time.

    Continuing education is another conflictive item that deserves attention.

    We could not come to a conclusion in this brief message.

    Best wishes

    Angel C. Saqui, Sr., FAIA, FNACA.

     

    Sent from Mail for Windows

     






  • 8.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-09-2024 03:38 PM
    For the record there is a standard call NAAB. All schools have to be approved by them. However, this has nothing to do with the States requirements of licensing. The USA is a federation and each States decides who can practice their profession in their State. It is the same for Lawyers, Medical Doctors, Accountants, teachers, and other professions. The NCARB can only do so much and cannot control State Legislatures.
    Steven 

    PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSULTANTS
    Steven Miller, FAIA, Emeritus, RIBA
    501 SE 2nd Street, Suite 807
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 33301
    Mobile: +1 516 398 2955 
    Professor,School of Architecture, University of Miami,
    Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellow,
    Past President AIA Continental Europe, 
    Founder AIA Middle East and AIA International,
    Past Chairman and member AIA Global Practice Committee,
    Representative to the College of Fellows for AIAInternational






    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-10-2024 02:59 PM
    in university the most frquent  topic of discussion was design. In real life practice, in whatever country and whatever type of project I have been involved in, the most frequent topic has been cost.   University architectural education provides a foundation, but not the qualifications to deliver a product on time, on budget and to the required specifications. The architectural registration examination icould be an opportunity to prove that one has acquired enough knowledge to be entrusted with a project. Continuing education is a professional responsibility.



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-12-2024 10:24 PM

    Super interesting. 

    The same happened to me when I came to the USA. I think it is a conceptual problem related to the use of the word "Architect." For the licensing authorities in the USA, you can use the word "Architect" once you are registered. In other countries, you are an architect once you have graduated.

    I agree with Angel Saqui. We will be "architects" once we graduate from university. 

    It's crucial to note that being an 'architect' and being a 'licensed or registered architect' are distinct.  

    I have often explained that distinction and state jurisdiction to NCARB, and it looks like they need help understanding or want to understand. The word Architect doesn't depend on whether you have or not the license to "exercise the profession on determined place."

     



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    Daniel Sur, AIA, NCARB
    The Princeton Companies
    Leesburg,
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-14-2024 02:38 PM

    I think part of the problems is that most of the analysts at NCARB are not architects, have a very limited concept of what an architect is, follow the "rules" blindly, an get confused when special cases get in front of them.

     

    I've heard several horror stories of architects who studied abroad trying to get the NCARB certification only to hit a wall, spend thousands of dollars, and go around in circles for years. This has been the case for many years and, unfortunately, will continue to be the same for years to come.

     




    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 06-04-2024 01:42 PM
    In California, you can only call yourself an architect if licensed.  I think that is true for many other states in the USA.  If unlicensed you can use terms such as architectural intern, building designer, etc. but not architect.  This is number one enforcement action by state California Architect Board (CAB) which is part of Dept of Consumer Affairs.

    BTW in California, a licensed architect is needed on all projects other than 1 or 2 unit residential projects.  In New Jersey, I heard all projects require a licensed architect.

    In California we are trying to have this happen as lots of unlicensed unqualified people are designing single family and 2 unit new and renovation projects and undercutting fees.  But we are getting pushback from contractors who do design-build and don't want architects involved in their custom residential projects.. These contractors have a strong lobby in Sacramento 

    Thank you and Best Regards,

    Remi Tan, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
    Architecture, Green/Sustainability Consulting, and Real Estate Investment

    650-291-3097




    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 06-11-2024 10:08 AM
    Remy, this is one of the main problems in our profession, other professions without architectural design education doing our work, this is not a light issue. 

    --
    Alejandra Molina-Jackson, AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, GGP




    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: licensing vs membership

    Posted 05-09-2024 03:39 PM

    This Discussion Is very interesting and highlights What I call the lack of "Esprit de Corps" and Camaraderie within the Profession irrespective of Marketplaces where We may practice. I find that Architects in contrast to Engineers are generally over capable and able to adapt relatively easily to different jurisdictions. Architecture is the last of the Applied Sciences and as such requires extremely broad skillsets and and adaptability, I find that the differences of how different cultures build and the associated science is almost non existent. To My mind Licensing represents the "Minimum Legal" standard to call yourself an  Architect;  AIA  Membership on the other hand makes you part of the ongoing Evolution of our collective Knowledge Base / Community .

    I've been Licensed in the US, Australia, NewZealand, Ireland, Denmark and Vietnam and a Member of the respective Peek Bodies for Architects some which are actually the Licensing Authority as is the case with Ireland and Denmark and have benefited greatly format engagement with the various Institutes as well as the work of the UIA. I find it rather amazing and comforting the similarity of issues and challenges our fellow architects are experiencing across the planet.              

    What do you all think 



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    J A Alfano AIA FRAIA RIBA Arkitekt MAA
    Alfano Pty Ltd / Alfano Studio Architects

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