What Can Be My Title If I'm Not A Registered Architect

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Title for Architects, Ar.

While boozing with my friends this weekend we were discussing the widespread use of "AIA"
The point was made by one non-architect that using "AIA" afterwards one'southward name is essentially the aforementioned thing as using "AAA", bold you take car insurance with the American Automobile Association. Granted 1 membership requires a credential and the other requires an agile checking account and a few hundred bucks.
In many circles, using a professional person membership, in this case the American Institute of Architects, every bit a credential later one'southward name is considered bad course. Like many, I'm a fellow member of the AIA and I employ "AIA" later on my name because well, pretty much everyone else does and most of my clients think that "AIA" is the de-facto indicator an individual is an architect.
I'm certain this has been discussed a few times before but I was wondering if anyone has considered petitioning their State board regarding a new title architects could use.
Personally, I like "AR.", an abridgement of Builder.
For Example, Ar. John Smith
This might be an alternative for those who dislike using memberships equally part of their title.
I've seen a fair number of non-AIA members who using "NCARB" afterward their proper name to signal they hold an NCARB certificate. This is fine assuming the average joe can figure out what it means.
We have a few people in our office with an insane amount of crap after their proper noun. For Case: Jane Smith, AIA, NCARB,LEED AP,CSI,CDT. THis is insane.
If the responses hither are positive I might consider writing my state board to see what their thoughts are on the thing.
May 19, 08 10:39 am
your name, Architect
            your name, RA
            i dont think most clients will know what cdt or csi are, peradventure LEED, definitely non NCARB, most likely AIA
            so why not just "your name, Builder"
            your work will stand behind you right
you can always just use RA afterwards your proper name if you don't want to utilise AIA.          
I apply the following:
            freedom bell, Architect            
            freedom bong, RA
            liberty bell, RA AIA
            marlowe, I agree that using AIA equally a designation that one is a registered architect is bad grade.  I never realized this until someone else hither, I think information technology was JustWhy, posted that information technology'south like doctors calling themselves Dr. Joe Bob, AMA - information technology's unnecessary, and it's not really a credential, but a membership.
            So someone else posted that the AIA encourages this usage, which it think is truthful, and misleading, yet I still utilize it.
            "AR. Freedom Bell" - it would accept a LOT of work to get this into the dictionary: y'all know when you fill out forms and they give options for Miss, Mrs. Ms. Mr. and Dr.? - it would be cool if Ar. was one of those options!
RA works simply my point was the placement of the credential.
                I think there is a general stigma that credentials placed earlier ane'due south name carry more weight than those placed afterward.
                May nineteen, 08  10:52 am							 ·              
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Inventing your own convention seems tricky. In that location is already so much defoliation over architects, what nosotros do, what licensing means that a new, somewhat capricious title is not going to help with.
That said, I concord that using AIA every bit a brusque hand for licensure is non okay. While my chore pays for my AIA membership (I wouldn't exist a member if I had to pay) my cards say RA (I'm in Massachusetts where we are registered). While I also agree that alphabet soup after a name isn't great it seems like we need a adept, curt, national way of showing that someone is a licensed architect. RA would work if some country weren't holding out. LA would also work, only information technology should be something that is universal and agreed on. Non sure how we practise that as long every bit the AIA wants to exist the signifier of licening, merely with the current move against the AIA perchance this is the time to come together and beginning promoting another pick.
Ar. would aid clear up the confusion over information architects, too!
Simply wouldn't there be the same issue as with Dr.??            
              Not everyone that uses the Dr. prefix(?) is a medical md…
              so possibly it should be this: Ar. LibertyBell R.A.
              May xix, 08  11:x am							 ·            
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The problem with "RA" is that merely some states register architects, while other "license" them, and a few "endorse" them (and a few utilize the terms interchangeably - for instance New York uses 1 term on the paper document that is issued, but another on the official architect'south seal design).            
            In some of the states that license or endorse architects rather than register them "RA" is forbidden.            
            A few states do specifically allow the use of an abbreviation such as "ARC" or "ARE" - but these are seldom seen, as the general public doesn't know what they hateful.
              May xix, 08  12:43 pm							 ·            
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I'k in a state that doesn't allow "RA", and then I generally write out "Architect" - i.eastward. George Bloopox, Architect.  But I don't apply any title at all on my business cards.
              May 19, 08  12:44 pm							 ·            
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Some states don't allow RA? This is officially a consummate mess.
                May 19, 08  12:fifty pm							 ·              
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At that place are manifestly legal distinctions between "license", "endorse", and "register", so states that license or endorse do non always allow RA.
              May 19, 08  12:54 pm							 ·            
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For example, from the California board's site:
            "Q: May an builder be referred to as a "registered architect" on his or her stamp?
            A:  No. Although some states may have used that designation, the Architects Exercise Act specifies the term "licensed architect" as the required title for California licensees."
          
              May 19, 08  i:05 pm							 ·            
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What 765 said.  Almost makes me want to quit.
              May 19, 08  1:08 pm							 ·            
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Don't quit, lb!
                (it'southward pretty bad, though. And I'm certain our lobbying organization, the AIA has nothing to practice with this clusterf*ck, right? No, they'd have no involvement at all in securing legitimacy for their ain title while sowing confusion about the others!)
                May 19, 08  i:xvi pm							 ·              
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when my graduate caste is done tin can I append my proper noun with ", Master"?          
              May 19, 08  1:47 pm							 ·            
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765 -- are you a member? if so, I'one thousand certain you lot'll already know that your "clusterf*ck" statement higher up is elementary bs.            
              AIA does not govern how the different licensing boards address the rules of practice in their ain peculiar jursidiction. However, AIA does have a stiff interest in streamlining and standardizing the rules from state to state ... as evidenced by these AIA Public Policy or Position Statements. Note in particular Public Policy Statements #8, #eleven, #xiii and #xvi.
              Since AIA is "our lobbying organization" I'm sure you've invested considerable time and money supporting AIA in its efforts to streamline professional person practice for all architects - not just AIA architects.
              May nineteen, 08  two:02 pm							 ·            
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In New York one time yous pass the test yous become yous become licensed and get your stamp.  Y'all are always "licensed" from this indicate forrard.  Still y'all are not "registered" unless you proceed upwards with your yearly fees and continuing didactics.  That is why it prefers RA because information technology means y'all accept paid the man AND passed the test.  I think that'due south why information technology uses both terms.
              May xix, 08  2:49 pm							 ·            
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Medical Medico, MD
            Lawyer (Juris Doc), JD
            Accountant, CPA
            Professional Engineer, PE
            Nurse, RN
            Architect, AIA
            Are we the only professional grouping that doesn't take an objective championship of merit, only rather an homage to our LOBBYING ORGANIZATION?  Seems kind of weird to me.          
            What if I have a political or practical disagreement with the AIA and refuse to pay dues?  I and so no longer take a way to refer to myself every bit a professional?
"Doc" equally a championship doesn't imply professional certification, merely an educational level. JD doesn't necessarily mean yous take passed the bar, merely that y'all have the achieved the degree.  Aforementioned with Medico I believe, though I don't know annihilation nigh the medical field.
              I suppose you lot could add BArch, MArch, BLA, MLA, MUP, etc to your name and it would exist clear in our world what that means, though in the general public it would exist greek (like when you look at an engineer's business organisation card and see the alphabet after their proper name).
              At least until "Doogie Howser, MArch" hits the airwaves.
              May 19, 08  3:17 pm							 ·            
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In both the case of Doctor and the case of JD, the championship implies readiness for certification (i.east. to pass the bar or your medical boards. Even so, as an MD you practice have a express ability to practice.)            
              My real dispute is twofold:
              1.  Why do we not have a championship of merit to acknowledge our "special grooming"?  After all, information technology'due south not that easy to get an architect and we do have specialized knowledge -- noesis that a lot of non-architects casually brand use of.
              2.  Why usa our common-utilize title, dissimilar every other professional person grouping, tied to our lobbying arrangement rather than our achievement?
              May 19, 08  3:28 pm							 ·            
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So, what does everyone call back of Ar.??  Just give me a thumbs upward or downwards....If I get 25+ people who things is a decent idea, I'll write a letter and transport it to the 5 states where I concord licenses.
          
                          
call yourself an architect, architect.  you earned it, information technology'due south worth it to write out all the messages or, hell, put them in your outlook digital signature if it's too many keystrokes for y'all.              
                yous don't have to exist aia, ra, la, ar, etc.              
                architect.              
                it's simply three syllables; 9 letters.              
                gloat it.
                May 19, 08  4:02 pm							 ·              
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quizzical - actually I'one thousand not a member, and I'thousand not licensed however, either (or 'registered', or 'endorsed'). I do, all the same, spend a fair corporeality of time volunteering for the local AIA. I've seen some of these institutional difficulties immediate, simply don't let that keep you from assuming I don't know what I'chiliad talking about, this being the internet and all. ;D
                The points yous're citing don't seem entirely relevant: Signal 8 says basically that you can just be an architect if you take the correct experience, okay, fine. Bespeak 11 says you need yous need to take the ARE, yep, so far, so good. Point thirteen says if you're not an 'architect' you're an 'architectural intern' or an 'intern architect'. I've got major beef with that one, 'intern' calls to heed an underskilled student who is paid accordingly, or even worse, Monica Lewinsky, only I call up that's another thread. (notice we're yet not talking about standardizing state terminology yet, they go on maxim 'licensure', in fact). Okay, so point 16 says something well-nigh interstate uniform criteria, but again, as far as nosotros're concerned, information technology'southward all still 'licensure'. Nothing virtually standardizing the terms. In fact, this thread is the beginning time I've heard that 'RA' isn't a compatible interstate standard!              
                That'due south absurd. If the AIA is really interested in '... supporting the utilise of compatible criteria for licensure that facilitate reciprocity and practice not inhibit the interstate and international practise of architecture.', then where is this on their agenda?
                I'll come out and say information technology, I don't think the AIA cares near RA or any other standard abbreviation considering they have a vested involvement in the continued public misperception that you're not a bloody architect unless you've got AIA after your name!
                May 19, 08  4:11 pm							 ·              
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Maybe my opinion doesn't count since I'm yet an 'intern,' but just how are you planning to accost Ar. LibertyBell?  Is it A. R. LB, or AR slurred together?  Or is it supposed to be pronounced architect, similar to how Dr is pronounced doctor?  How information technology sounds will be important, but once again, maybe I dont count yet.
              I practice think that Builder is a very absurd word.  I like how it LOOKS in print, when in English.  Information technology looks kinda funny in greek, russian, spanish, and portuguise....maybe I just don't similar 'q'due south.
              May xix, 08  iv:nineteen pm							 ·            
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I concur, but say 'Builder'. If the term has legal weight, let's exercise it.
                May 19, 08  4:20 pm							 ·              
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I accept a question about the format John Smith, Architect.
            I encounter it very rarely. Does that have anything to do with the fact that yous can legally just refer to yourself as an architect in the state(s) you lot are licensed in? Does the utilise of John Smith, AIA resolve this effect by indicating your membership in an architects simply club without explicitly referring to yourself equally an builder?
              May xix, 08  four:21 pm							 ·            
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I like Sarah's notion of running the A and the R together preceding the person's name:
              AAARRR, Sarah, I be soundin' like a pirate!
              Just apply the whole matter, post-obit one'south name.  Information technology IS a beautiful give-and-take.
              May 19, 08  4:23 pm							 ·            
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765:
              In California it is illegal to employ the title "intern builder" as well as "architectural designer". Can't do information technology.              
              (Practice you guys read those horror stories in the California Board Newsletter?)
              May 19, 08  4:24 pm							 ·            
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MLeitner,
              I don't read those as "horror stories" simply every bit reminders that someone is really looking out for the validity of my license.
              When folks practise it out of simple ignorance, I have some sympathy.  For the others doing it but hoping not to get caught: cough up, buddy.
              May 19, 08  4:28 pm							 ·            
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look, CA graduates with out a liscense are chosen what so?
              OOOHHH can I put Sarah Hamilton, IDP?!  Oh, wait, I oasis't joined that yet either.
              May 19, 08  4:31 pm							 ·            
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you tin't put AIA later your name unless you are a RA. and if you are a AIA member that is non RA you are an AIA assoc.
              May 19, 08  four:36 pm							 ·            
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Nosotros're all interns. I'm 30, how old are you guys?
              How is this not a clusterf*ck?
Sarah, I advise: Martin Leitner, Nobody            
              citizen: I agree with you lot - someone should look out for the validity of our licenses. The horror stories are the ones where people are punished for oversights: having the discussion "architect" in a championship block for an out of state project, calling yourself architectural designer when y'all're just out of school.
              What is your stance on this: can simply a licensed architect produce compages and conversely, is every building a licensed builder produces compages? Let's say I am a designer and design and have built a building, is information technology illegal for me to refer to it as architecture?
              May nineteen, 08  4:38 pm							 ·            
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meltiner, that last paragraph of yours has been discussed endlessly here.  I call back the generally acepted stance is that you don't need to exist an architect to produce what nosotros would grant the term "Architecture", nor does existence an architect guarantee that everything one produces is "Architecture".  But in either case, you lot tin't refer to yourself equally one until you are one.
              Sarah, you hit on a very skilful point, and denizen your use of it made me laugh: "Aarrr liberty bell, would you be interested in designing me new ship, matey?"
              I practice call up information technology  reiciculous that we tin can't as a profession agree upon a term similar "liberty bong RA" beyond the whole nation.  Architects in other countries must be reading this thread and thinking "They're              supposedly a world ability?!"
              May 19, 08  4:47 pm							 ·            
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765,
              in that location's always designer. while you lot can't call yourself an architectural designer, y'all can say you are a designer at the architecture house so and and then. Be creative almost it.
              Liberty: i approximate I should have known I was not up to an original give-and-take with my last paragraph.
              Speaking of discussion: I wore my "Architecture Sucks" T-Shirt to the Getty Center yesterday. Got quite a few aroused responses from people working there.
              May xix, 08  4:57 pm							 ·            
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Mr. Leitner,  That maight be an interesting and original thread.
              "I wore my Compages sucks T-shirt..."
              I would love to hear some stories on reactions.
              May nineteen, 08  v:00 pm							 ·            
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Love the Mr. Leitner. I think I will alter my user name. Is that yet legal on archinect?
              May 19, 08  five:06 pm							 ·            
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i can only attest for myself, merely my reasons for joining the aia and placing the [associate] initials later my name stem from the fact that the aia has a lawmaking of ideals that binds its members together, the fact that information technology lobbies collectively in the profession'south interest, and is a way to celebrate my education and experience while i am not withal licensed.          
              May xix, 08  5:08 pm							 ·            
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That's really an excellent betoken, sgnt13: only someone who has completed architectural education can join the AIA equally an Associate, right?  And so that's a manner to tell the world y'all are well on your way to            condign            an architect.
              May 19, 08  5:12 pm							 ·            
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don't forget about the events and parties
              May 19, 08  5:14 pm							 ·            
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sgnt, does your business bill of fare have to read Sgnt, AIA Ass. or exercise y'all write out associate completely?  What is the proper abridgement for acquaintance?
              And, Sgnt, I'm non meaning to offend, its just the offset matter I thought of when picturing how I could become 'Intern' off of my business card.
              May 19, 08  5:14 pm							 ·            
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that is not right anybody can be an AIA associate as long as they are in a related field of the profession.          
              May 19, 08  5:xv pm							 ·            
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"Acquaintance AIA" or "Assoc. AIA" are the correct forms
              May 19, 08  5:54 pm							 ·            
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cheers for posting, quizzical. So an "Int'l Assoc. AIA" is an architect, but an "Assoc AIA" isn't...
              May 19, 08  vi:xviii pm							 ·            
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In many cases, holders of architectural licenses in other countries exercise not meet the standards necessary to obtain a license in the US.
              May nineteen, 08  6:25 pm							 ·            
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Anti, I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Alied AIA - those are product reps and whatnot.  I mean I know you love to try to prove me wrong and all ;-)
              Though information technology does say someone "working under the supervision of an architect" tin can be Assoc. AIA.  I'g thinking that's not a stiff enough criteris, does that mean my receptionist can exist?
              May xix, 08  7:50 pm							 ·            
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trace, AAA
              I think my disgruntled opinions regarding the airheaded nomenclature of this profession has been solved.  I take AAA insurance, too, so I tin can probably sneak an "I" in at that place somewhere.            
              Woohoo!!            
              May 20, 08  eight:56 am							 ·            
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It's not entirely truthful that a licensed builder tin can only call himself "Architect" in the land(s) where he's licensed.  There are about 20 states in which an NCARB-certified Architect may solicit work in that state without first obtaining a license there (encounter questions 37, 38 here http://www.ncarb.org/stateboards/MBRfaqpractice.asp), so conspicuously in those states it would be fine to hand a potential client my card that says "George Bloopox, Architect".  In other states information technology's not and then articulate-cut - mostly I can hand out that menu in a social state of affairs but not in whatsoever state of affairs that might be construed as soliciting piece of work.
              May 20, 08  ix:57 am							 ·            
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              'Ar' before proper noun or 'P.Curvation' (stands for Professional Architect) later name or in association with name is accepted in certain countries.            
              May xx, 08  10:01 am							 ·            
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Blopox, so you accept unlike cards for different states?
              May twenty, 08  12:06 pm							 ·            
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