1. Complete at least 96 semester hours (144 quarter hours), with 32 semester hours (48 quarter hours) in architectural courses, toward your degree in a professional or pre-professional architectural program.

 
2. Contact the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

 
Mail:  1801 K Street, NW, Suite 1100K,  Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 783-6500
FAX: (202) 783-0290
Web Site:  www.ncarb.org.

Click here to request or download an application for a Council Record from NCARB
 

3. Fill out the application for your Council Record and send to NCARB with a check for $285.00 (or $100.00 if you are still in school or have graduated within the past 6 months).

 
4. After you have reached the minimum educational level in step 1 above, get a job working for an architect and carefully complete time cards to keep track of the number of hours you spend working in the 16 IDP Training Areas listed in the IDP Guidelines and summarized on the next page. Your current employer now becomes your employer under IDP Guidelines and the Illinois Architecture Practice Act/Rules. Note that under certain conditions you can also get some internship credit by working for a contractor, an engineer, an interior designer, a landscape architect or a planner.

 
5. Select a licensed architect who is not your boss to serve as your mentor. Contact your local AIA Chapter for suggestions.

 
6. Every tri-mester (January, May, and September) fill out an IDP Training Report, have your employer and your mentor sign it and send to NCARB. NCARB will verify it and give you an update on your status toward completion.

Click here to download an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of your training units
 
7. Periodically meet with your employer and mentor to review your training progress and discuss your career objectives.

 
8. If you are in the IDP program longer than three years from when you enrolled or three years after you have graduated, whatever comes later, pay a $50.00 yearly maintenance fee to NCARB.

 
9. Complete your Degree in Architecture (B. Arch., M. Arch. or until December 31, 2013 a 4-year B.A. or B.S. in Architectural Studies from a college approved by the Illinois Architecture Licensing Board).

 
10. At your discretion, join the American Institute of Architects as an Associate Member in order to benefit from networking with your peers and meeting potential future employers and mentors.

 
11. Complete the required number of "IDP Training Units" (TU=s) depending on which degree you have or will receive (note that you can begin to earn Training Units before completion of your degree).

 
700 TU's with an NAAB-Accredited B. Arch. or M. Arch. degree

Until December 31, 2013, 1170 TU's with a Pre-professional degree in Architecture (B.A. or B.S. degree which is approved by the Illinois Architecture Licensing Board) Note that as of January 1, 2014, you must have a professional degree in Architecture (B. Arch. or M. Arch.) to apply for licensure in Illinois.
 

12. Pay NCARB the remainder of the Council Record application fee ($185.00 if you just paid $100.00 up front).

 
13. Upon completion of the IDP, you automatically become eligible to take the Architectural Registration Examination (the "ARE"). NCARB then reviews all material in your Council Record for compliance with the Illinois testing eligibility requirements. NCARB will then enter your information into their exam eligibility system, called the Chauncey Client Management System, the "CCMS." NCARB then notifies you and the Illinois Architect Licensing Board that you are eligible to take the exam. (Note that you must have completed all required Training Units and received your degree prior to admission to the exam. ) Note that as of January 1, 2014, you must have a professional degree in Architecture (B. Arch. or M. Arch.) to apply for licensure in Illinois.
     
14. Take the nine divisions of the Architectural Registration Examination.

 
15. Pass all nine divisions of the Architectural Registration Examination. Beginning January 1, 2006, you must pass all divisions within a five year time period (the so-called "rolling clock"). However, you will not have to take over any divisions passed prior to January 1, 2006.
     
16. Apply for and receive your license to practice architecture in Illinois. Note that this must be done within one year after passing the exam.
You will need to fill out the "Licensure by Acceptance of Examination form" posted on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation web site. The form can be found at: http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/apply/forms/ar-ac.pdf . You will also need to have your IDP Council Record transmitted to Illinois, complete the "Work History" form attached to the application for licensure form (this is different from the IDP Council Record), complete a "Verification of Employment" since you completed your IDP Council Record, prepare and sign an affidavit on your own letterhead stating that you have read and understand the Illinois Architecture Practice Act and Administrative Rules, and submit a $100.00 fee in the form of a certified check or money order made payable to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This is the last hoop to jump through! If you have a 4-year B.A. or B.S. in Architectural Studies (an Illinois-approved pre-professional degree) you must submit your application for licensure in Illinois no later than December 31, 2013 (postmark on your letter if mailed to the Board must be on or before that date).
 
17. Once you are licensed in Illinois, you should do the following:

• Apply for and receive NCARB Certification -- this will greatly facilitate licensure in other states and in Canada

 
• Advance to Professional Member of the American Institute of Architects

 
• Begin earning minimum of 18 "Learning Units" of continuing education per year as a requirement for maintaining your AIA professional membership.

 
• Begin earning minimum of 24 "Contact Hours" of continuing education every two years as a requirement for maintaining your Illinois license.

 

Note: a new book by Lee Waldrep, Ph.D. (formerly at IIT) titled Becoming and Architect will provide insight into the process of becoming an architect. Using the three Es of becoming an architect -- a) Education, b) Experience, and c) Exam, the book will provide the reader a detailed outline of graduating with an accredited professional degree in architecture, the "experience" or internship component, and the exam, the Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E.). In addition, an introduction will help the reader answer -- do you want to be an architect? – Scattered throughout the text will be career profiles of those within the profession highlighting the many careers in architecture. Go to http://www.wiley.com/go/youngarchitect for more info.

     Contact Frank Heitzman, IDP Coordinator for Illinois

Sign up for the IDP Illinois Yahoo Group

IDP requirements for Illinois

Career Information

NCARB Certificate, the "Broadly Experienced Architect," and the "Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect" programs

Architect Registration Examination

Exam Study Resources

Guidelines for Appropriate Treatment of Intern Architects

Guidelines for Mentors

View slide show describing the IDP Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Building Community: A New Future for Architecture Education and Practice (The Boyer Report) summary

Legal Requirements for Licensing of Architects and Registration of Interior Designers in Illinois (and other related professions)

Continuing Education Requirements for Maintaining your License in Illinois

Code of Ethics