What Education Is Required to Become a Licensed Architect in the U.S.

Overview: The Education You Need to Become an Architect

To become a licensed architect in the United States, most states require completing a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), gaining supervised experience, and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Some jurisdictions offer alternative pathways that rely on additional professional experience instead of an accredited degree, but requirements vary by state [1] . A typical path involves a five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) or a two- to three-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch) following a four-year undergraduate degree, alongside structured experience and exams [1] .

The Standard Education Routes (NAAB-Accredited Degrees)

Most licensing boards accept only professional degrees from NAAB-accredited programs for initial licensure. These include the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch), Master of Architecture (M.Arch), and, in some cases, a Doctor of Architecture (D.Arch). The B.Arch commonly takes five years; the M.Arch typically requires one to three years depending on prior academic background; programs are structured to meet the competencies jurisdictions expect for entry to the profession [2] . NCARB clarifies that both five-year B.Arch and the combined undergraduate-plus-graduate M.Arch routes are recognized pathways that keep you eligible for licensure in most jurisdictions [1] .

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Real-world example: A student completes a five-year B.Arch at a NAAB-accredited school, enters a full-time architectural firm, logs experience under the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), then takes and passes the ARE divisions. This streamlined route minimizes state-by-state eligibility issues because the accredited degree satisfies the common education requirement [1] .

Implementation steps: 1) Identify NAAB-accredited programs that match your goals; 2) Confirm program length and credits; 3) Plan studio-intensive schedules and prerequisite math/physics/design courses; 4) During school, seek internships to begin structured experience as permitted; 5) Keep records aligned with AXP reporting categories. Potential challenge: balancing heavy studio workloads with experience hours. Solution: consider summer internships and plan AXP reporting early to avoid backlogs.

Alternative Pathways Without an Accredited Degree

Some jurisdictions allow licensure with a non-accredited degree-or no degree-if you complete substantially more supervised professional experience. NCARB notes that several jurisdictions accept additional experience in lieu of an accredited degree, though details vary. Candidates should review their target state’s policies using NCARB’s Licensing Requirements guidance to verify if their state allows education alternatives and how much experience is required [1] .

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Example: An individual with a related bachelor’s degree may pursue licensure in a jurisdiction that offers a “no-NAAB” route by accumulating a prescribed number of hours across AXP categories before becoming eligible for the ARE. Challenge: Mobility may be limited; moving to a state that requires NAAB-accredited education can be difficult. Solution: If interstate mobility is important, consider earning an accredited M.Arch to broaden reciprocity options [1] .

Length and Structure of the Journey

A common timeline includes: 5 years for a B.Arch or approximately 6 years for a 4+2 M.Arch pathway; several years of documented experience; and time to pass all ARE divisions. Professional organizations often summarize this as education (5-7 years), experience (AXP requires thousands of hours), and a multipart exam sequence, though specifics depend on jurisdictional rules and personal pace [1] .

Illustration: A B.Arch graduate might complete AXP over 2-3 years while preparing for and passing the ARE in parallel. An M.Arch student from a non-architecture undergraduate major might need an additional year of graduate study, followed by similar AXP and testing steps. Planning course loads, studio time, and early exposure to practice can reduce overall time to licensure.

Experience and Exam: How They Relate to Education

Beyond education, licensure requires completing supervised experience and passing the ARE. Many candidates complete experience through NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program (AXP), which structures hours across practice categories and is recognized by licensing boards nationwide. Some schools participate in the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL), allowing students to earn AXP experience and take ARE divisions during their degree-an efficiency that reduces total time to licensure when permitted by the jurisdiction [1] . After meeting education and experience criteria, candidates sit for the ARE, a multipart exam assessing health, safety, and welfare competencies required for independent practice [1] .

Practical tip: If your program offers IPAL, you can stack education, experience, and exam progress concurrently-this may accelerate licensure readiness. If your school does not offer IPAL, you can still strategically schedule AXP and ARE preparation after graduating.

Choosing the Right Degree: B.Arch vs. M.Arch vs. D.Arch

B.Arch: Ideal for students certain about architecture early, offering a direct five-year professional degree that satisfies most state education requirements. Advantage: a single, continuous path; challenge: intensive studio load and limited flexibility for double majors [2] .

M.Arch: Suitable for those who hold a pre-professional architecture or unrelated bachelor’s degree. Depending on background, programs may take one to three years. Advantage: flexibility to enter architecture later; challenge: additional years and tuition compared to a single B.Arch track [2] [1] .

D.Arch: Less common and typically offered by select institutions; it is recognized as a professional degree in some contexts. Candidates should verify how the D.Arch is treated by their target state’s licensing board to ensure it meets education requirements [2] .

State Variations and How to Verify Requirements

Because education requirements are jurisdiction-specific, the safest approach is to select your intended state(s) of practice early and verify their rules. NCARB provides authoritative guidance on which jurisdictions require NAAB-accredited degrees and which allow experience-based alternatives. When unsure, review state licensing board requirements and compare them with NCARB’s tools to avoid unexpected eligibility gaps that could delay licensure or restrict mobility across states [1] .

Example: A candidate targeting a state that accepts non-accredited degrees with added experience may proceed without a NAAB degree; however, if they later seek reciprocity in a state that requires NAAB accreditation, they could face barriers. Strategy: If multi-state practice is a goal, favor a NAAB-accredited B.Arch or M.Arch to keep the most options open [1] .

Continuing Education After Licensure

After licensure, many states require continuing education (CE) for license renewal, and professional associations like the American Institute of Architects (AIA) require Learning Units (LUs) annually for certain membership categories. AIA specifies that Architect and International Associate members complete 18 LUs annually, including 12 Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits; state CE renewal requirements vary and should be checked with your board [3] . While CE is not part of initial education, planning for lifelong learning is essential to maintain competence and compliance.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started (With and Without Links)

1) Decide your target state(s) of practice. You can use national guidance to see if your state requires a NAAB-accredited degree or accepts alternatives. If uncertain where to start, identify a few likely states and compare their rules side by side [1] . 2) Choose your education pathway. If you want broad mobility, prioritize a NAAB-accredited B.Arch or M.Arch. If you already have a non-architecture degree, research M.Arch eligibility and length, or explore experience-based options where available [1] [2] . 3) Plan your experience. Determine when you can begin logging AXP hours under licensed supervision; this may be during or after your degree depending on program structure and jurisdiction. Consider programs that support IPAL if you want to accelerate the timeline [1] . 4) Prepare for the ARE. Map out exam study plans and scheduling based on your workload. Many candidates space exams over 12-24 months; timelines vary. 5) Confirm CE expectations post-licensure. If you plan to join AIA or need to renew multiple state licenses, note annual LU and HSW requirements and keep documentation organized [3] .

Common Challenges and Practical Solutions

Challenge: Navigating differing state rules. Solution: Start with jurisdiction research and keep documentation of coursework, syllabi, and experience hours. If your path changes (e.g., moving states), revisit education equivalency requirements early to avoid delays [1] .

Challenge: Choosing between B.Arch and M.Arch. Solution: If you are early in your academic journey and committed to architecture, a B.Arch offers a direct route. If you discovered architecture later or want broader undergraduate exploration, a 4+2 or 4+3 M.Arch path may fit better. Factor in cost, time, and mobility implications [2] [1] .

Challenge: Balancing studio, AXP, and exam prep. Solution: Use a semester-by-semester plan, schedule summer internships for AXP categories with gaps, and consider IPAL-enabled programs if available. Keep detailed logs and submit experience promptly to avoid backlogs [1] .

Key Takeaways

– Most states require a NAAB-accredited professional degree (B.Arch or M.Arch) for initial licensure; verify your jurisdiction’s rule before committing. – Alternative pathways without an accredited degree may exist in some jurisdictions but often require significantly more verified experience and may limit future mobility. – Integrating education, AXP experience, and the ARE-potentially through IPAL-can shorten time to licensure when allowed. – After licensure, expect continuing education requirements from your state and, if you join AIA, 18 LUs annually including 12 HSW LUs [3] .

References

[1] NCARB (2024). Architectural Education: What Degree You Need to Become Licensed. [2] Texas Society of Architects (2025). Become an Architect. [3] American Institute of Architects (2025). AIA & State Continuing Education Requirements.