For many architects, it is licensure – not graduation – that represents the successful culmination of their educational pursuit. For the past several years, AIA Indiana has recognized the newly licensed architects during a formal ceremony, which leaves a lasting impression on the architect and their loved ones and publicly marks this important achievement. As has been the case with so many celebrations planned for this year and into 2021, this ceremony did not occur for the class of 2020. Ceremonies are usually held in the first quarter of the year immediately following licensure year to accommodate the full cohort.

However, AIA Indiana still presented Certificates of Licensure to nine members achieving licensure during 2020. AIA Indiana Executive Director Jason Shelley personally delivered certificates to several of the 2020 cohort. Recognition of the 2021 Newly Licensed Architects will take place in early 2022 and is hoped to be an in-person celebration.

The road to licensure begins with a college degree from a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited program. The U.S. has three types of professional architectural degrees:

• Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) – typically a 5-year program
• Master of Architecture (M. Arch) – typically a 2-year program
• Doctor of Architecture (D. Arch) – varies in length

Alternatively, students can also pursue a 4+2 program. Using this method, students can earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architecture and follow up with a two-year Master of Architecture.

However, just because a college degree has been attained, one is still not licensed. Any professional looking to gain licensure must then begin the Architectural Experience Program (AXP). This experiential process requires a minimum of 3,740 hours of hands-on training in Indiana (some states vary) where professionals are directed to complete 96 tasks across six practice areas:

• Practice Management – 160 required hours
• Project Management – 360 required hours
• Programming and Analysis – 260 required hours
• Project Planning and Design – 1,080 required hours
• Project Development and Documentation – 1,520 required hours
• Construction Evaluation – 360 required hours

At least half of this documented experience (1,860 hours) must be achieved under the supervision of a licensed architect while working for an architecture firm.

In addition to the education and experience, architectural professionals must also take and pass the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) – a six-part, 21-hour exam to assess an architect’s skills and ability to protect the welfare of those they serve. Topics covered in the exam include:

• Practice Management
• Project Management
• Programming and Analysis
• Project Planning and Design
• Project Development and Documentation
• Construction and Evaluation

Each section is taken individually, and the order in which the exams are taken is up to the individual professional. Once an architect passes all sections and meets all the other requirements, they can apply for a license. After this final hurdle is cleared, the celebration can begin, and one can officially call themselves an architect.

Training for an architect does not end there. In order to stay current with new technologies, construction methodologies, and current code requirements, architects must participate in continuing education courses. In Indiana, architects must obtain 24 learning units – 16 of which must be focused on health, safety, and welfare (HSW) topics every two years.

• Michael Edward Brannan
• Michael Edward Bunnell
• Nicholas Joe Bunte
• Daniel Timothy Burns
• Alex Tyler DeKemper
• Bryce W Derhammer, AIA
• William J. Di Santo
• Adela J. Growth, AIA
• Crystal Danielle Nanney Kent
• Gayathri Kesavan, AIA
• Alan Lee Knepp, AIA
• Roland Charles Kohr
• Amanda Kay Lamie
• Paul Michael Lindsay
• Richard W. Luke
• Alex Douglas Marsh
• Jared Daniel Monce, AIA
• Kyle Dylan Nallenweg
• Christopher Padgett, AIA
• Jamison Shane Sills, AIA
• Amgad Soryal, AIA
• Daniel William Toner, AIA
• Julianna Valle Velez, AIA
• Laura Christine Wagner
• Angela M. Worden