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CIDP/IDP Structured Internship Requirement
Reasons for Implementation
Over the years, the Board has sought to set appropriate standards for entry into the practice of architecture in order to balance the need to protect the public with the need to ensure the availability of sufficient avenues to entering the practice. The Board had been concerned about the level of competency of its candidates, as derived through the current, unstructured internship process. The Board implemented the CIDP/IDP requirement for the purpose of ensuring that all interns gain uniform, broad, and comprehensive experience in areas of architectural training that are essential for competent practice, thus benefiting the intern, the architect, the firm, and the public in general.
In addition, approximately 49 other states require completion of the IDP requirements for initial licensure. NCARB's IDP Council Record is the only record keeping method that is recognized by all United States jurisdictions and Canadian provinces. IDP is also the primary method used to meet the training requirement for NCARB Certification, which is a compilation of an architect's education, training/work experience, and examination history that is used as a tool to facilitate reciprocity.
The Board believes that completion of the CIDP/IDP requirement not only helps ensure the minimal competence of architectural candidates, but also helps facilitate interstate and international practice.
Who is Affected by the CIDP/IDP Requirement?
The CIDP/IDP requirement affects all new candidates applying to the Board for eligibility evaluation for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) on or after January 1, 2005, as well as inactive candidates applying to the Board for eligibility evaluation on or after January 1, 2005. An inactive candidate is one who was previously determined by the Board to be eligible, but who did not take an exam for five or more years and was placed on inactive status.
This requirement does not affect a candidate:
- Determined by the Board to be eligible on or before December 31, 2004 and is active in the examination process (without a five-year lapse since last taking an exam); or
- That has completed all of the necessary education equivalents prior to January 1, 2005, has submitted a completed application (including all necessary supporting documentation - e.g., certififed transcripts and Employment Verification Forms) for eligibility evaluation to the Board that is postmarked on or before December 31, 2004, and has been determined by the Board to be eligible.
The CIDP/IDP requirement does not affect California's educational requirement. The five-year educational equivalent required by the Board can be met by various means, including an accredited professional degree in architecture, a combination of a different type of degree plus work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect, or solely work experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect. A candidate who does not have an accredited professional degree in architecture is able to participate in NCARB's IDP and become licensed in California.
In addition, California candidates are still able to take the ARE after verification of five years of educational equivalents as evaluated by the Board. In order to be eligible for a California Supplemental Examination (CSE) that is administered after January 1, 2005, candidates need to verify eight years of educational and work experience credit as evaluated by the Board. A candidate who is subject to the CIDP/IDP requirement needs to submit verification of completion of the programs prior to being eligible for the CSE and licensure.
Exemptions
The following individuals may be exempt from the CIDP/IDP requirement if specified conditions are met.
- Reciprocity candidates with NCARB Certification will be exempt from the CIDP/IDP requirement upon the Board's receipt of the candidate's NCARB Certificate Council Record transmitted by NCARB.
- Reciprocity candidates without NCARB Certification that submit verification of three years of practice as a licensed architect in another state.
- Instate candidates who are licensed architects in qualifying foreign countries will be required to either complete CIDP/IDP or submit proof of licensure in a qualifying foreign country and verification of five years of practice of architecture as a licensed architect in that qualifying foreign country AND verification of one year of work experience under an architect licensed in the United States.