Section 1150.10  Education Requirements and Diversified Professional Training Requirements

The education and diversified professional training required for licensure under the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989 [225 ILCS 305] (the Act) are set forth in this Section.  Applicants shall meet the requirements set forth in this Section.

a)         Education Requirements

Applicants shall prove that they meet one of the following education requirements:

1)         Applicants with a professional degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) not later than 2 years after termination of an applicant's enrollment, or with a professional degree in architecture from a Canadian university certified as accredited by CACB; or

2)         Completion of the education requirements as specified in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Education Standard.  This includes the requirement that applicants with a degree from a program not accredited by NAAB or CACB must obtain an Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA)-NCARB Evaluation Report prepared by EESA, which is administered by NAAB.  Applicants must establish an NCARB record in order to request an evaluation; or

3)         Completion of the education requirements as specified in the NCARB Foreign Architect Program.  Applicants with a degree gained from a program outside of the U.S. or its territories must satisfy the education requirements as specified in the NCARB Foreign Architect Program.  Applicants must establish an NCARB record (national dossier of an applicant's education, exam history and experience documentation which has been verified by NCARB) as part of the Foreign Architect Program requirements with NCARB.

b)         Diversified Professional Training Requirements

1)         An applicant must complete the Architect Experience Program (AXP), formerly known as the Intern Development Program (IDP), of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), 1401 H Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, as set forth in the NCARB AXP Guidelines (2020, no later additions or amendments included).  (A copy of these Guidelines is available from NCARB.)

2)         To satisfy diversified professional training requirements, each applicant must acquire a minimum number of training hours in prescribed experience categories and tasks and in accordance with the requirements set forth in the NCARB AXP Guidelines. An applicant who has satisfied the training requirements is expected to have been exposed to the comprehensive practice of architecture. Accordingly, each applicant must demonstrate that his or her training has been sufficiently diversified as to include exposure to each of the training categories set forth in the AXP Guidelines. (An applicant with the required number of training hours may nonetheless be denied approval of training if that training is not diversified.)

3)         Program Requirements

A)        A "licensed architect" is a person licensed to practice architecture in the jurisdiction in which he or she practices.

B)        A person practices as a "principal" by being:

i)          A licensed architect; and

ii)         The person in charge of the organization's architectural practice, either alone or with other licensed architects.

C)        A person who has completed the minimum education requirements is actively participating in the diversified professional training program, and maintains in good standing a training record as required by this Section, may use the title "architectural intern", but may not use the term "architect" and may not independently engage in the practice of architecture.

c)         All applicants for initial license, shall utilize NCARB to collect, evaluate and certify all training data and records required for compliance with this Part.

d)         The verification of training shall be submitted to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation-Division of Professional Regulation (Division) at the time of application.

e)         If the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the training is questioned by the Division or the Architecture Licensing Board (the Board) because of discrepancies or conflicts in information, a need for additional information or clarification, the applicant will be requested to provide such information as is necessary.

f)         All applicants must submit an application for licensure within 12 months after passing the Architecture Registration Exams (ARE) and completion of the AXP.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 19600, effective November 23, 2022)