If you are not licensed in another jurisdiction, your combination of education and experience will determine what you need to do to get your license (see the chart below).

Education type	Accredited professional degree (typically five-year bachelor of architecture or six-year master of architecture)	An equivalent degree, awarded by EESA (education evaluation services for architects) for candidates from a nonaccredited U.S. architectural school or a foreign architectural school	A preprofessional degree in architecture (typically four-years) from a program offering an accredited degree	Postsecondary study in architecture or related fields, with passing grades, in increments of one year, will receive up to three years credit	A degree in architectural technology (typically a two-year community college or trade school degree)	High school diploma or equivalent
Practical architectural work experience	Gained during IDP		Two years under the direct supervision of an architect	Three or more years depending on your education credit	Four years	Six years
				Three of these years must be under the direct supervision of an architect
IDP	Contact NCARB to find out when you can enroll in IDP		You can't enroll in IDP until you complete the practical architectural work experience
When to apply to take the ARE	You can start taking the ARE through NCARB while enrolled in IDP	Apply to the board after you have completed the practical architectural work experience and IDP
When can you get your license	Apply to the board after you have completed your IDP and ARE	Apply to the board after you have completed the ARE
Additional materials	All candidates must complete the Washington law review

If you have an accredited architectural degree, you need to complete IDP and the ARE. If you choose, you can take the exams while you are completing IDP. NCARB will register and guide you through both IDP and the ARE. The board also requires a review of Washington's laws and rules relating to the practice of architecture.

If you do not have an accredited architectural degree, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least nine years' practical architectural work experience.

(1) You must have at least six years of practical architectural work experience before enrolling in IDP.

(a) At least three of these years must be under the direct supervision of a licensed architect.

(b) The remaining three years can be any combination of the following as approved by the board:

(i) Postsecondary education courses in architecture, architectural technology or a related field.

(A) Related fields may include the following:

(I) Environmental design;

(II) Urban planning;

(III) Landscape architecture;

(IV) Construction management;

(V) Civil engineering;

(VI) Naval architecture;

(VII) Interior architecture;

(VIII) Other fields as determined by the board.

(B) With a passing grade, thirty semester credit hours or forty-five quarter hours are considered to be one year. Any fraction, one-half year or greater, will be counted one-half year, and less than one-half year will not be counted.

(ii) Practical architectural work experience may be accrued simultaneously while educational credit is being accrued and will receive credit if it is as follows:

(A) At least thirty-five hours per week for at least ten consecutive weeks - One hundred percent.

(B) At least twenty hours per week for at least six continuous months - Fifty percent.

(2) After you complete IDP, apply to the board to take the ARE. When your application is approved, board staff will register you to take the ARE. You will pay the fees for examination and reexamination directly to NCARB.

(3) The board also requires a review of Washington's laws and rules relating to the practice of architecture.

PDFWAC 308-12-025

What qualifications do I need to meet if I am not already licensed?