To become a licensed architect, most people earn a professional architecture degree accredited by NAAB (a five-year Bachelor of Architecture or a Master of Architecture), complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) by working under licensed architects, and pass the multi-part Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Each state then grants the license. Some states allow alternative paths with additional experience.
What architects really spend time on
Sketching beautiful buildings is part of it, but most of the job is solving problems with many constraints.
- Design: working out how a building will be used, then developing plans, sections and 3D models, often in building information modeling (BIM) and CAD software.
- Codes and technical work: researching building codes, zoning, accessibility, materials and how systems fit together.
- Coordination: working with clients, structural and mechanical engineers, consultants, contractors and city officials.
- Construction administration: site visits, answering contractor questions and reviewing work as the building goes up.
- Firm life: deadlines, revisions, long hours near submissions, and early years spent on detailed drawings rather than big design decisions.
The degree routes
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch): a five-year professional degree that leads directly toward licensure.
- Pre-professional bachelor’s plus M.Arch: a four-year degree in architecture or architectural studies, then a Master of Architecture of about two years.
- Any bachelor’s plus M.Arch: if you studied something else, longer M.Arch programs of about three years start from the basics.
- Integrated paths: some programs let students earn experience hours and take ARE divisions before graduating.
Architecture school is studio-based: long hours designing projects and presenting them to critics. Most programs want a portfolio with your application, so start making things early. Our guide on how to choose a major helps if you are deciding between architecture and related fields like engineering, construction management or interior design.
Experience, exams and the license
The AXP, administered by NCARB, documents thousands of hours of supervised work across areas like design, project management and construction. You can start logging hours in school. The ARE is a series of divisions covering practice management, project planning and design, project development and documentation, and construction. Once you meet your state’s education, experience and exam requirements, you apply to your state architecture board. Only licensed professionals may call themselves architects. Requirements vary by state, so check your state licensing board.
Mapping it out from high school
- Take math through precalculus, physics, art and any drafting or design classes. Drawing by hand still helps.
- Build a portfolio: drawings, models, photography, woodworking, anything that shows how you see and make things.
- Attend a summer architecture program or design camp if you can.
- Choose between a B.Arch or a four-year degree followed by an M.Arch.
- Work at firms during summers and log AXP hours as early as you are able.
- Finish your degree and AXP, pass every ARE division and apply for your license.
Ways to explore first
- Shadow an architect for a day, including a site visit if possible.
- Try free 3D modeling software and design a room or small building.
- Talk with architects through informational interviews, including at small firms and large ones.
- Take an intro drafting or design class at a community college.
Who it suits
Architects who thrive combine creativity with patience for technical detail, take criticism well and enjoy collaborating. People switch out because of long hours, the length of the path to licensure, the slow climb in early years and how closely the work tracks the construction economy. Architecture training also leads to urban planning, construction management, real estate development, interior design and visualization work.
Changing careers into architecture
If you already have a bachelor’s in another field, a three-year M.Arch is the most common route. Some states also offer experience-based paths. Weigh cost and time with our guides on whether grad school is worth it and changing careers. For pay and outlook, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps students explore architecture against related fields, plan coursework and portfolios, stay accountable through demanding studios and prepare applications, internships and the first job. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts. Learn about our career and education mentoring and mentoring for college students.
Related
- Career paths: guides to dozens of careers
- How to become a graphic designer
- How to become a mechanical engineer
- Helping a teen choose a career
Common questions
How long does it take to become an architect?
Often seven to ten years or more: a five-year B.Arch or a four-plus-two degree path, plus experience hours and exams, which many people complete partly in school.
What is the ARE?
The Architect Registration Examination is the national licensing exam for architects, taken as a series of divisions that cover different parts of practice.
Can you work in architecture without a license?
Yes. Many people work in firms as designers while completing experience and exams, but only licensed professionals can use the title architect.
Do architects need to be good at math?
You need solid geometry, algebra and some physics. Engineers handle the heaviest calculations, but architects must understand how buildings work.
Get started
Thinking about architecture school and want a plan that holds up? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.