| What is the Intern Development Program? |
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| The Intern Development Program (IDP) is a set of resources that, when used in a systematic manner throughout the internship period, contributes to the development of competent architects. IDP is not a series of registration requirements and conditions, nor is it a study program for passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The program's major objectives are listed in IDP Overview. |
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| How do I enroll in the program? What does it cost to participate? |
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Interns may begin participation in IDP by taking the following steps:
- Request an IDP Information Package from NCARB. This package includes a Council Record application.
- Submit the application to NCARB to establish an NCARB Council Record for documentation purposes.
- Identify an IDP supervisor and select an IDP mentor. Refer to Getting Started section for general selection criteria.
- Develop a personal record-keeping system for documenting training on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis or use NCARB's IDP Workbook, an Excel-based spreadsheet.
- Document all previous acceptable training in accordance with your state registration board's training requirement and conditions.
The cost of participating in IDP varies, depending on which resources are used. Refer to Establishing an NCARB Council Record & Council Record Fees for specific information.
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| Do I need an accredited professional degree in architecture to participate? |
| The level of post-secondary education required to begin earning IDP training units varies from state to state. Most registration boards will only accept training units earned after completion of the first three years in an NAAB-accredited professional degree program or the first year of a Master of Architecture program for those whose undergraduate degrees were not in architecture. For more information, refer to The IDP Process: Getting Started. |
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| Why should I begin documenting my training when my internship starts? Why not wait until I've completed the IDP training requirement? |
To derive the maximum benefits from IDP, you should begin documenting your training at the beginning of your first acceptable employment. Retroactive documentation is discouraged for several reasons:
- Previous supervisors often cannot verify training units earned, resulting in a loss of training credit toward admission to the examination.
- Retroactive record-keeping usually delays the examination application process, resulting in postponement of examination and registration.
- Several registration boards place limits on the amount of previous experience that can be retroactively documented.
For further information on examination application procedures, refer to Applying for Examination/Registration. |
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| I am having trouble getting the minimum training units required in several areas. Can I use supplementary education to satisfy these requirements? |
No. Supplementary education can be used to supplement minimum levels of required training but cannot serve as a substitute for such experience. More specifically, supplementary education cannot be used to satisfy the minimum training units required in IDP Training Areas 1-16.
The AIA has developed many excellent educational resources. You are encouraged to use them to augment required training and to explore the broader aspects of architectural practice. You should also discuss means of acquiring training with your mentor and refer to IDP training area descriptions and recommended core competencies for possible activities. See the Supplementary Education Conditions for more information. |
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| I heard that NCARB approved taking the ARE before the completion of IDP at the 2006 Annual Meeting. Is this true? |
| No. In February 2006, NCARB’s Board of Directors issued a policy statement proposing that a candidate with an accredited professional degree and who is actively engaged in IDP be permitted to begin taking divisions of the ARE. The Board proposed a resolution at the 2006 Annual Meeting which would have changed the current Model Law recommendation that candidates only be made eligible to start taking the ARE after the candidate has completed IDP. |
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| What action was taken by NCARB & the Member Boards concerning taking the ARE before the completion of IDP at the 2006 Annual Meeting? |
| The NCARB Member Boards requested that prior to any change in the Model Law, the Board of Directors prepare implementation details of such policy. The details shall include requirements such as the number of months of experience under the supervision of an architect, minimum number of IDP Training Units, and which divisions of the ARE should be allowed to be taken early.
A resolution to implement such policy will be presented at the NCARB 2007 Annual Meeting. Following a June 2007 vote of approval, NCARB’s model law will be amended and individual Member Boards will be able to determine if they will adopt the policy. |
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| I heard there are jurisdictions that allow Emerging Professionals to take the ARE before the completion of IDP. When can I start taking the ARE? |
| There are currently 9 jurisdictions which allow you to take the ARE prior to the completion of IDP. They are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The individual laws and requirements for eligibility to sit for the ARE prior to completion of IDP vary greatly. You must contact your Board of Architecture to understand their specific requirements. |
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