May 6, 2025
Here’s the deal: You love architecture. You’ve been working in the field. Maybe you’re crushing it at a firm, sketching, drafting, managing projects but you didn’t go the “traditional” route. No fancy Master’s degree. No five-year bachelor or architecture (B. Arch) degree either.
Good news! You don’t need either to become a licensed architect. Yep, it’s 100% possible to get licensed and even NCARB certified without a master’s degree or a 5-year professional degree. Let’s talk about how.
Most people who become licensed architects follow this formula:
1. Graduate from a NAAB-accredited program (B. Arch., M. Arch., or D. Arch.)
2. Complete the AXP (that’s 3,740 hours of documented experience)
3. Pass the ARE (the Architect Registration Examination)
But guess what? That’s just one path.
Not everyone can or wants to spend 5-7 years in school. Maybe you studied something else. Maybe you skipped college. Maybe you’re already deep into your architecture career without the official title. You might not know it, but you have real, legit alternatives to become a licensed architect.
This is the game-changer. NCARB created this path for people who don’t have a professional architecture degree but have serious work experience. There are two options, and both are accepted by several U.S. states for initial licensure.
OPTION 1: No M. Arch. or B. Arch.? Double Your Experience.
If you’ve got a degree (even if it’s not related to architecture), you can:
· Complete 7,480 AXP hours (that’s 2x the standard requirement)
· Take the ARE
· Apply for licensure in a participating state
You don’t need a 5-year B.Arch.
You don’t need a master’s degree
You just need documented experience under a licensed architect.
OPTION 2: No Degree at All? Build a Portfolio.
If you didn’t go to college or didn’t finish? No problem.
· Complete the AXP
· Pass the ARE
· Submit a portfolio of your real-world project experience
· Get licensed (in a state that accepts this path)
The portfolio shows NCARB that what you learned on the job meets their education standards. It’s a little more work upfront - but totally worth it.
Check out NCARB’s Education Alternative paths.
Which States Accept This?
More than 17 U.S. jurisdictions accept the Education Alternative for your initial license. Some of the architect-friendly states include:
· California
· New York
· Arizona
· Georgia
· Hawaii
· Colorado
· And others…
Use this Licensing Requirements Tool to check your state.
Once you’re licensed, you might want to get licensed in other states. That’s where the NCARB Certificate comes in. It’s like a passport that helps you go national (and sometimes international). Do you absolutely need it? For some states, yes. For others – no! Before you ask, you can earn that certificate without a B. Arch. or M. Arch. Here’s how:
OPTION 1: NCARB CERTIFICATE VIA PORTFOLIO
· You’ve been licensed for at least 3 years
· You build a portfolio of your post-licensure work
· NCARB reviews it and (if approved) gives you the certificate
This is perfect if you didn’t go to college, or your degree isn’t related to architecture.
OPTION 2: NCARB CERTIFICATE VIA DOUBLE AXP
Don’t want to deal with the portfolio again? Check these boxes instead:
· Be licensed for at least 3 years
· Log 7,480 AXP hours
· Skip the portfolio entirely
Just submit your hours and you’re good to go.
More info: NCARB Certification Without a Degree
Here’s what to do next:
1. Create or update your NCARB Record - Log your education, work experience, and ARE progress.
2. Reach out to NCARB - Email EducationAlternative@ncarb.org with your background and ask what path would be best.
3. Start or keep logging AXP hours – Whether it’s 3,740 or 7,480, it all counts.
4. Prepare for the ARE – It’s tough but doable. You’re probably already practicing what it tests!
5. Apply for licensure in a participating state – Then, go for your NCARB Certificate if you want to expand your reach.
You don’t need a master’s.
You don’t need a 5-year B.Arch.
You DO need passion, work experience and commitment. And if you’ve already been working in the field, you’re more than halfway there. Architecture needs diverse voices and paths. Don’t let a missing degree stop you from becoming the architect you already are.
Start your journey here! NCARB.org
Since joining Chipman Design Architecture in 2014, Principal Caitlin Gurra has acted as both Project Manager and Project Architect for numerous custom and prototypical ground-up and custom in-line restaurant locations. She has a wealth of restaurant knowledge to help current and new clients develop and improve upon processes to help them stay organized and understand all the needs that go hand-in-hand with implementing an architectural project in difficult spaces. She has been successful at leading and expanding current client teams such as Chick-fil-A, Reformation, Chewy Vet Care and Edward Jones by implementing processes and protocols that create efficiencies and serve as mentoring opportunities for younger staff.
In addition to skilled coordination with clients and contractors, Caitlin has also taken a leadership role in the development of a New Client Team within Chipman Design Architecture. This team strives to identify a client’s needs and pain points establishing a scalable process that enhances efficiency and sets up the client and CDA for success. Caitlin's primary objectives are building strong client relationships, thinking like an owner, and driving process. Caitlin graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and is a licensed architect.
Chipman Design Architecture (WBE) is a people-first, family-owned senior living, retail, restaurant and hospitality architecture firm composed of innovators, architects, and interior designers who love collaborating, breaking boundaries, and creating spaces for tomorrow. For over forty-five years, the firm has separated themselves with a focus on the future in regard to organizational structure, customer experience and fostering community. With corporate headquarters in Chicago, and five additional national offices, Chipman Design provides interior design, experiential design, and architectural expertise throughout North America. Today, the firm’s Principal team, led by third generation family member, and CEO, Lauren Chipman, offers innovation and professionalism through complete architectural and interior design services. Through membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, the firm’s commitment to sustainability and lowering energy consumption continues to reinforce recognition of the critical role of architects in today’s world.
