There is a crisis in the architectural profession: the number of individuals being licensed is lower than the number “expiring” each year. While the architectural education remains valuable to other industries, architectural school graduates continue to leave for other professional opportunities. Whether this is solely a function of salaries, or other factors, there is consensus that the licensure process is arduous. It is time consuming, expensive, and replete with administrative requirements.
In California, an additional requirement was adopted in 2005 requiring “evidence” in specified IDP skill and application areas. Comprehensive Intern Development Program (CIDP) was originally developed to enhance and strengthen the internship experience and to improve the intern/supervisor relationship through discussions about the evidence documentation.
Prior to adopting these programs in 2005, the California Architects Board (CAB), the licensing authority for the profession, had identified some concerns about IDP (i.e., role of IDP supervisor and mentor; competency assessment; experience alternatives; training areas and settings; IDP entry point; duration requirements; and IDP reporting). In light of the numerous improvements to IDP since 2005 (culminating in the complete implementation of IDP 2.0), CAB and its Professional Qualifications Committee re-evaluated its intern development requirements earlier this year.
At its June 16 meeting, the CAB voted to discontinue the CIDP requirement, which will require a regulatory change approved by multiple control agencies. CAB is currently expediting the regulatory changes and will notify all affected candidates once final approval has been obtained. In the interim, CIDP is required until the regulatory change is approved and codified. The AIACC will also continue to follow this discussion and assist candidates for licensure during this period.
We are curious. . . .what are your thoughts about how this change will impact the profession?
James V. Vitale, AIA, LEED AP, CASp
How interesting, not a single comment to date, what does that indicate?
Is this the beginning of the end? Are we dinosauers who have given up our right to continue? It is appears that we are losing our ability to fly, just like ostrichs. Have we waited too long to forsee this coming? Is/has the day to day practice of architecture so blinded us that we cannot allow ourselves to see that we are being outflanked by Contractors, CM’s and engineers?
It appears that specialization and attorneys are destroying an honorable profession. Consider that over the past 40 years, though the number of schools of architecture has grown from 3 to 10, the number of architects (licensed in state) is only about 17,000 while the number of attorneys has grown to (+/-) 200,000!
This being the case, how can we expect to address the growth of California in the years ahead? Infrstructure replacement/enhancement and new construction will outpace the pool of professionals. Beware the sunset, it may be just around the corner.
Gaetano Salvo, B.Arch.
It appears the word has reached back to the architectural Universities and Colleges, that the AIA’s National Exam (NCARB) is a Flunking Process to eliminate competitive entry while providing low-pay, unsteady architectural design/drafting work for the graduate licensing applicants. In short, the big picture is emerging.
Further, in a recession, arhcitecture is one of the first fields to cease. So what’s the surprise? Why would anyone seek to invest a lifetime in a Road-blocked career field leading to poverty! The AIA/NCARB Licensing Cartel has killed the architectural profession. Wise up.
KR
I am just trying to get back on track, see if at least I can start the ARE. There are no architectural jobs out here for interns, they are asking you to have over 5 years of experience and many of us have worked only as architectural drafters. Still I am tired of been idle so I will just keep going anyway, I don’t see future on architecture, but at the same time I feel attached to the idea of completing something I started few years ago. I got a job as a Mech Drafter, very far from my field, but I have a better financial security than before, but deep inside I miss what I used to do, work in an architectural firm. I also find it difficult to find a Mentor when you are not in the field, no matter what you do, where you go, once you are not at school or at work you can’t find one. I don’t see that any of this agencies are really trying to help on that part really. Why they offer is just not enough.
CaliArch
There are enormous barriers to entry for other professional degrees as well, engineers, doctors, lawyers all have intense periods of internships, development programs, low pay early on, etc. These are “trying times” when you are on the way to your chosen career. What architecture lacks on the back side is that great bump in pay/ public prestige that other professions enjoy. Investment bankers, business consultants, etc all put in enormous hours for years as a reprequisite to becoming an elite member of that career. People are willing to slave away for a few years towards a great end and that process does weed out the weaker candidates. Architecture a profession that is no less demanding of its practicioners. Perhaps the reason that our profession has seen a decline is not the trivial nature of the NCARB “cartel” but a lack of public/professional support for what architects are capable of?
Kari Jewel
The California Architect Board with its incompetent leadership and its racist history should look in the mirror if they want to know why so few people sit for the license. They should look at who is being fined and how (white) LICENSED ARCHITECTS can get away with allowing schools to be built on TOXIC DUMPS, how (white) LICENSED ARCHITECTS can get away with allowing FOOD STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SITES on OLD BATTERY PLANT GROUNDS, but why Blacks and Asians seem to have an inordinate amount of fines levied against them for designing sound projects.
Ics
Yes, Architecture in California is dying! CIDP is a great idea as I myself can attest from the level of knowledge most interns have about what goes on inside the profession let alone what happens in a project’s lifetime. College is not enough. However, CIDP alone is not the answer. The AIA and AIACC should do more to emphasize the value of Architects in a project. Educate the market! As an owner’s rep for a healthcare institution, I know that a project no matter how small can benefit from an Architect. You can’t let a drummer or a cellist lead an orchestra – you’ve got to have someone to lead and harmonize! And by the way, enough of the self-indulging elitist drama. Nobody wants a diva on a collaborative team. C’mon AIACC, try thinking about the profession’s profitability for a change. Tell the world why the Architect is worth his/her weight in gold.
itssunnyinla
All I can say is THANK GOD the CIDP may go away. I was done with IDP 3-1/2 years ago, maybe even 4 years ago, and the hang up was the CIDP that I never had time to work on since I was truly busy at work. I got halfway through it, retroactively recounting my real experience. Then I had a baby and had zero time to write up old experiences. At least now I can just focus on studying for the exam and this huge roadblock has been removed. I thought having a baby meant licensing would be over for me. Now I have hope again.