Education · 1 of 5

The path

Three gates in every state: an accredited degree, logged experience, and the exams.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Math, physics and art. Build a portfolio of drawings and models, because many programs ask to see one.

2. 2

   Accredited professional degree

   5 to 7 years

   The National Architectural Accrediting Board accredits the professional degrees. The usual routes are a five-year Bachelor of Architecture straight out of high school, or a four-year pre-professional degree followed by a Master of Architecture.

3. 3

   Log experience

   3 to 5 years, usually overlapping work

   The Architect Experience Program run by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Several thousand hours spread across six practice areas, from project management to construction administration, recorded as you work at a firm.

4. 4

   Pass six exams

   1 to 3 years of evenings

   The Architect Registration Examination has six divisions covering practice management, project management, programming and analysis, planning and design, development and documentation, and construction and evaluation.

5. 5

   Register in your state

   Weeks

   Apply to your state board. You are not an architect and may not use the title until that registration is issued.