Requirements for a Career as an Architect

• There are stringent requirements to become an architect. Tony Garcia/Lifesize/Getty Images

  Architecture combines the art, science and business of designing and constructing buildings and living spaces. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment outlook is good but competitive. In 2008, architects earned more than $75,000 annually. Almost a quarter of the 141,200 people working in architectural jobs in 2008 were self-employed. The requirements are stringent to become a working architect, but because you'll be designing, planning and supervising the construction of buildings, that's a good thing.

Education

• An architect intern gets on-the-job training. architect image by Edward White from Fotolia.com

  A college or university degree in architecture from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)-accredited program is required to become an architect in the United States. Common architectural degrees include the Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture and Doctor of Architecture. The Bachelor of Architecture is the minimum degree toward becoming an architect.

  Architects have to build everything at least twice, once on paper and then the physical building so they need to be able to communicate ideas based on science, math and physics. Art, architectural theory, math, science, building design and communication comprise part of the curriculum.

Intern Development Program

• Architects are licensed through individual states. a young female architect image by enens from Fotolia.com

  An architectural intern works with a sponsor and at least one mentor to apply his formal training on a daily basis during an intern development program (IDP). This helps an intern architect to explore various specialties and practices and form professional judgment while in a supervised capacity. The goal and structure of the program prepares an intern to eventually work as an independent architect.

Exams

• An architect license means you are legally able to refer to yourself as an architect. young architect in front of industrial construction site image by dinostock from Fotolia.com

  Architects are licensed through individual states after a candidate passes all nine sections of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) within five years of applying. This 600-question exam covers architectural theory such as pre-design, structures, physical forces, systems, materials, methods, documentation, planning and technology.

License

• States grant licenses to architects and charge a fee for this. Each state has its own requirements but usually will require an exam -- sometimes written, sometimes oral -- that demonstrates a candidate's architectural knowledge and how it applies to the laws of the respective state. The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) maintains a registry of architects they certify. A person may only call himself an architect after a state grants a license.