What It's Like to Work as an Architect

The road to becoming a licensed architect can be a long and winding one. You can navigate the process with ease by understanding each step and what to expect along the way. Below is one architect's story about the journey.

Michael Cross

R. Michael Cross, LEED AP
Cross earned his license to practice architecture in May 2007 and his NCARB Certificate in September 2007. Today he is the principal architect at rmichaelcross Design Group in Richmond, VA, and is license to practice in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.

Read about his experience in each stage of the process:
[education], [internship], [examination], [initial licensure], and [certification]

Would you like to share your experience through the licensure process? Contact Amanda Pica at apica@ncarb.org to find out how.

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Related Publications

Education Guidelines - January 2010
New! The Education Guidelines provide a general overview of the education requirement for NCARB certification, and explains how architects who do not hold a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program can satisfy this requirement.

Download (PDF, 940K)

IDP Guidelines
Updated January 2010! The IDP Guidelines is essential reading for interns, supervisors, and mentors participating in the IDP. The document includes steps to completing the program, reporting procedures, training requirements, and core competencies interns should understand before becoming licensed.

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ARE Guidelines
The ARE 4.0 Guidelines is essential reading for anyone preparing for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). The document includes an overview of the exam divisions as well as the exam program, the rolling clock, exam eligibility, and six steps to taking and completing the ARE.

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