Experience

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• Guidelines for Work Experience Used to Obtain Educational Credit
• Qualifying Foreign Country
• Work Experience Credit

Guidelines for Work Experience Used to Obtain Educational Credit

The following guidelines apply to educational experience:

• Candidates may satisfy the entire five-year ARE testing requirement through work experience under the direct supervision of an individual licensed as an architect in a U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction in an organization engaged in the lawful practice of architecture.
• Candidates may receive work experience credit obtained under the direct supervision of a U.S. registered civil or structural engineer, U.S. licensed landscape architect, California licensed general building contractor, or California certified building as outlined in the Work Experience Credit section below.
• A candidate who submits work experience for AXP/IAP will not receive additional credit if it is also submitted on an EVF to meet the eight-year licensing requirement.

Qualifying Foreign Country

The term "qualifying foreign country" means a foreign country whose standards and qualifications for issuing a license to practice architecture are equivalent to those required in California. Requirements must include education, experience, and examination components. Foreign countries that do not require licensure for architectural practice would not meet the requisite equivalency for the granting of training experience credit.

Work Experience Credit

Work experience is submitted on an Employment Verification Form that is completed by both the candidate and employer. The CAB evaluates training (work) experience based upon a calendar month of 40-hour work weeks. Credit is granted for both part-time and full-time work experience. Overtime may be considered. Work experience credit is granted toward meeting the testing and licensure eligibility requirements as specified in California Code of Regulations, section 117.

Prior to being eligible for the CSE, all candidates must earn at least one year of work experience under the direct supervision of an architect licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction or two years of experience under the direct supervision of an architect registered in a Canadian province.