Cal. Code Regs. tit. 16 § 117

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 49, December 6, 2024

Section 117 - [Operative until 1/1/2025] Experience Evaluation

The Board's evaluation of candidates' training and educational experience is based on the Board's Table of Equivalents as listed below.

The Table is comprised of four columns. Column A lists the types of experience for which credit may be granted. Columns B and C specify the maximum credit that may be granted to a candidate who was determined by the Board to be eligible for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), the California Supplemental Examination, or licensure prior to January 1, 2005 and who is active in the examination process or to a candidate who is otherwise exempt from the IDP/IAP requirement specified in Section 116(b). Column D specifies the maximum credit that may be granted to a new or inactive candidate who was determined by the Board to be eligible for the ARE on or after January 1, 2005 and who is subject to the IDP/IAP requirement.

TABLE OF EQUIVALENTS

(a) Experience Equivalents:

Column A	Column B	Column C	Column D
Experience Description	Candidates Eligible Prior to January 1, 2005 or Otherwise Exempt from IDP/IAP Requirement	Candidates Eligible Prior to January 1, 2005 or Otherwise Exempt from IDP/IAP Requirement	Candidates Eligible January 1, 2005 or After and Subject to IDP/IAP Requirement
	Education Equivalents Max. Credit Allowed	Training and/or Practice Equivalents Max. Credit Allowed	Max. Credit Allowed
(1) A professional degree in architecture, where the degree program has been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or units toward such a degree.	5 years		5 years
(2) A professional degree in architecture, where the degree program has not been accredited by NAAB or CACB and the program consists of at least a five-year curriculum, or units toward such a degree.	4 years		4 years
(3) A four-year degree in architecture Baccalaureus Atrium (BA), Atrium Baccalaureus (AB), Bachelor of Science (BS), or units toward such a degree.	3 1/2 years		3 1/2 years
(4) A degree from a school/college which has an NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited professional degree program in architecture, where the degree could be accepted for entry into a two-year NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited Master of Architecture program, or units toward such a degree.	3 1/2 years		3 1/2 years
(5) A degree which consists of at least a four -year curriculum in a field related to architecture as defined in subsection (b)(6), or units toward such a degree.	2 years		2 years
(6) Any other university or college degree which consists of at least a four-year curriculum.	1 year		1 year
(7)(A) Any other city/community college degree which consists of at least a two-year curriculum.	6 months		6 months
(B) Any other city/community college degree or technical school certificate in a field related to architecture.	1 year		1 year
(8) Experience under the direct supervision of an a rchitect(s) licensed in a United States jurisdiction shall be granted 100% credit.	5 years	3 years	5 years
(9) Certification by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) shall be granted a maximum of eight years credit upon receipt in the Board office of the candidate's current and valid NCARB blue cover file, transmitted by NCARB.	5 years	3 years	8 years
(10) While a candidate is enrolled in a college or university, credit shall be granted:
(A) 100% for experience obtained under the direct supervision of architect(s) licensed in the U.S.	1 year	or 1 year	1 year
(B) 50% for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a registered civil or structural engineer and/or a licensed landscape architect licensed in a United States jurisdiction.		1 year	1 year
(C) 50% for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California licensed general building contractor.		1 year	1 year
(D) 50% for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California certified building official as defined in subsection (c)(7).		1 year	1 year
(E) 50% for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a foreign licensed architect licensed in the qualifying foreign country where the experience occurred.		1 year	1 year
(11) Completion of the Intern Development Program (IDP) of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards or the Intern Architect Program of Canada shall be granted a minimum of three years credit, upon receipt in the Board office of the candidate's current and valid NCARB IDP file transmitted by NCARB or documentation transmitted by a Canadian provincial architectural association, respectively.	2 years	3 years	5 years
(12)(A) Experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a registered civil or structural engineer, and/or a licensed landscape architect licensed in a United States jurisdiction shall be granted 50% credit.		2 years	2 years
(B) Experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California licensed general building contractor shall be granted 50% credit.		1 year	1 year
(C) Experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California certified building official as defined in subsection (c)(7) shall be granted 50% credit.		1 year	1 year
(13) Experience as a licensed architect practicing in another U.S. jurisdiction with a verified record of substantial architectural practice shall be granted 100% credit.		8 years	8 years
(14)(A) A post professional degree in architecture or with an emphasis on architecture consisting of a Master, Master of Science, or Ph.D. degree, or units toward such a degree, or		1 year	1 year
(B) Teaching and/or research in NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited architectural curriculums shall be granted 100% credit only for those hours worked if verified by the college or university.		1 year	1 year
(15)(A) Experience under the direct supervision of an architect licensed in the qualifying foreign country where the experience occurred shall be granted 50% credit.	5 years	2 years	5 years
(B) Experience as a foreign licensed architect licensed in the qualifying foreign country with a verified record of substantial architectural practice shall be granted 50% credit.	5 years	2 years	5 years

(b) Education Equivalents:

"Education equivalents" shall mean Table categories (a)(1) through (a)(9), (a)(10)(A), (a)(11), (a)(13), and (a)(15)(A) and (B).

(1) For the purposes of this section, NAAB shall refer to the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and CACB shall refer to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.

(2) A "professional degree program" shall be defined as one of the following types of programs:

1. Bachelor of Architecture, five-year program;

2. Bachelor of Architecture for individuals with a prior degree;

3. Master of Architecture, four-year undergraduate program in architecture plus a two-year graduate program in architecture;

4. Master of Architecture, four-year undergraduate program in another discipline plus a three-year graduate program in architecture.

(3) Where a candidate is seeking education equivalents for having obtained a professional degree or units towards such a degree from an NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited program, he or she shall be eligible for such credit if such program is or was accredited by NAAB or CACB either at the time of graduation or within two years after the date of graduation or termination of enrollment.

(4) Credit allowed for units obtained without a degree shall only be computed within the categories of subsections (a)(1) through (5) or (a)(14)(A) of this section. No credit for units obtained under subsections (a)(6) or (7) shall be recognized unless such units have been transferred to and accepted by a school within subsections (a)(1) through (5) of this section.

(5) Academic units based on the categories specified in subsections (a)(1) through (5) or (a)(14)(A) of this section shall be evaluated up to the maximum allowed for that subsection. Where a candidate has not obtained a degree, the maximum credit allowed for the categories contained in subsections (a)(1) through (5) or (a)(14)(A) shall be six months less than the maximum credit that would have been granted if the candidate had obtained a degree in that category. Fractions greater than one-half of an academic year shall be counted as one-half of a year and smaller fractions will not be counted. 30 semester units or 45 quarter units is considered to be one academic year.

(6) Degrees in a field related to architecture shall be evaluated under subsection (a)(5) and defined as the following: Architectural Design; Architectural Engineering; Architectural Studies; Architectural Technology; Building Science; City and Regional Planning; Civil, Mechanical, Structural, or Electrical Engineering; Construction Engineering; Construction Management; Environmental Design; Interior Architecture; Landscape Architecture; and Urban and Regional Design.

(7)

(A) Experience obtained as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a licensed professional as defined in subsections (a)(8), (a)(12), and (a)(15)(A) or (B) while a candidate is enrolled in a college or university shall be allowed maximum credit for educational/training equivalents of 1 year as defined in subsections (a)(10)(A) through (E). A candidate who obtains experience under the direct supervision of a licensed professional as defined in subsections (a)(8), (a)(12), and (a)(15)(A) or (B) while enrolled in a college or university shall have his/her education and/or experience evaluated according to the method which provides the candidate the most credit.

(B) A candidate enrolled in a degree program where credit earned is based on work experience courses (i.e., internship or co-op programs) shall not receive more than the maximum credit allowed for degrees earned under subsections (a)(1) through (7).

(C) A candidate who is certified as having completed the requirements of IDP, as referenced in section 109(b)(2), based upon receipt in the Board office of the candidate's current and valid NCARB IDP file transmitted by NCARB, is exempt from the provisions of subsection (b)(7)(B) relating to maximum credit allowed for degrees where credit is earned based on work experience courses.

(8) A candidate who possesses a degree and possesses units from more than one college or university shall have the degree evaluated first prior to evaluating additional education credits.

(9) A candidate with multiple degrees shall not be able to accumulate credit for more than one degree unless he or she has received one professional degree in architecture and one post professional degree in architecture or with an emphasis on architecture as specified in subsection (a)(14)(A). Otherwise, the degree that receives the most credit as determined by subsection (a) shall take priority over any other degree.

(10) A candidate who possesses a professional degree and also possesses a post professional degree in architecture or with an emphasis on architecture as specified in subsection (a)(14)(A) shall be granted one additional year credit for the post professional degree.

(11) Degrees from a foreign college or university shall be granted credit, as determined by the applicable category contained in subsections (a)(1) through (7). A transcript(s) certified by the college or university must be evaluated by NAAB or an educational evaluation service, approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) equating the degree toward a comparable U.S. degree. Any cost of evaluation shall be the responsibility of the candidate. Professional degrees accredited by CACB shall be accepted by the Board and shall not be required to be evaluated by NAAB or an NACES education evaluation service equating the degree toward a comparable U.S. degree.

(12) Units from a foreign college or university shall be granted credit, as provided for in the applicable category contained in subsections (a)(1) through (5) upon submission of a transcript(s) certified by the college or university. These certified documents must be evaluated by NAAB or an NACES educational evaluation service equating the units toward a comparable U.S. degree. Any cost of evaluation shall be the responsibility of the candidate. Professional degrees accredited by CACB shall be accepted by the Board and shall not be required to be evaluated by NAAB or an NACES education evaluation service equating the degree toward a comparable U.S. degree.

(c) Training Equivalents:

"Training equivalents" shall mean Table categories (a)(8) through (a)(15).

(1) Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age or a high school graduate before they shall be eligible to receive training credit for work experience.

(2) Except as provided below, work experience shall be granted training credit only when:

(a) The supervising professional is licensed in a United States jurisdiction or a Canadian province and the work experience is obtained or the project is located in a United States jurisdiction or Canadian province, or

(b) The supervising professional is licensed in a qualifying foreign country where the work experience is obtained or project is located. Training credit shall be granted for work experience obtained under the authority of or on the property of the United States Federal Government when the work experience is obtained as or under the direct supervision of a licensed professional as defined in subsections (a)(8), (a)(12)(A), and (a)(13).

The term "qualifying foreign country" shall mean a foreign country whose standards and qualifications for issuing a license to practice architecture are equivalent to those required in this state.

(3) Employment shall be considered on the basis of a calendar month of 40-hour work weeks. Credit may be given for overtime.

(4) Every candidate shall earn at least one year of training credit for experience as or under the direct supervision of an architect(s) licensed in a United States jurisdiction granted at 100% credit or at least two years of experience under the direct supervision of an architect(s) registered in a Canadian province granted at 50% credit.

(5) Any combination of credit received under subsections (a)(10)(B) and (a)(12)(A) shall not exceed the two years maximum credit allowed for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a registered civil or structural engineer and/or a licensed landscape architect licensed in a United States jurisdiction. Any combination of credit received under subsections (a)(10)(C) and (a)(12)(B) shall not exceed the one year maximum credit allowed for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California licensed general building contractor. Any combination of credit received under subsections (a)(10)(D) and (a)(12)(C) shall not exceed the one year maximum credit allowed for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a California certified building official. Any combination of credit received under subsections (a)(10)(E) and (a)(15)(A) or (B) shall not exceed the maximum credit allowed for experience as, or experience obtained under the direct supervision of, a foreign licensed architect licensed in the qualifying foreign country where the experience occurred. A candidate cannot exceed two years maximum credit in any combination under subsections (a)(10)(B) through (D) and (a)(12)(A) through (C).

(6) Experience under the supervision of a "responsible managing officer" operating under a corporate contractor license shall qualify as experience under subsection (a)(12)(B) and shall be verified by the responsible managing officer of that corporation.

(7) For the purpose of this section, a California certified building official shall be as defined by Section 18949.27 of the Health and Safety Code as an individual who is certified in accordance with or otherwise exempt from Chapter 7, Part 2.5 of Division 13 (commencing with Health and Safety Code Section 18949.25).

(8) The entry point for IDP shall be as defined in NCARB's Intern Development Program Guidelines, as referenced in section 109(b)(2).

(d) Practice Equivalents:

"Practice equivalents" shall mean Table categories (a)(8) through (a)(15).

(1) Practice credits for experience as a licensed architect, registered civil and/or structural engineer, California licensed general building contractor, licensed landscape architect, or certified California building official may be accumulated only after initial registration, licensure or certification by a licensing authority of a political jurisdiction.

(2) A candidate verifying his or her experience as a licensed architect, registered civil and/or structural engineer, California licensed general building contractor, licensed landscape architect, or certified California building official shall complete an Employment Verification Form (19C-12)(3/2006) available from the Board on his or her own behalf, submit proof of licensure, registration, or certification, and attach a list of projects for the time period covered. The list shall include the names and addresses of the clients, type of projects, construction costs, date project was started, date of completion, and all services provided by the candidate.

(e) Miscellaneous Information:

(1) Independent, non-licensed practice or experience, regardless of claimed coordination or liaison with licensed professionals, shall not be granted credit.

(2) Training experience under subsections (a)(10)(B) through (D), (a)(12), or (a)(14) can only be accumulated after the candidate has obtained credit for at least the five years of educational equivalents as evaluated by the Board. Candidates who are certified as having completed the requirements of IDP as referenced in section 109(b)(2), based upon receipt in the Board office of the candidate's current and valid NCARB IDP file transmitted by NCARB, or IAP, as referenced in section 109(b)(2), based upon receipt in the Board office of documentation transmitted by a Canadian provincial architectural association, are exempt from this requirement for their IDP/IAP training units.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 16, § 117

1. Repealer and new section filed 7-16-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 29).
2. Amendment of first paragraph and new subsections (a)-(e) filed 10-28-88; operative 11-27-88 (Register 88, No. 45).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e)(1) filed 8-30-90 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations; operative 9-29-90 (Register 90, No. 42).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e)(1) filed 7-10-91 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 91, No. 43).
5. Amendment filed 8-26-92; operative 9-25-92 (Register 92, No. 35).
6. Amendment filed 4-5-95; operative 4-5-95 (Register 95, No. 14).
7. Amendment of first paragraph and subsections (a), (b)(9), (d)(2), (e)(2) and (e)(3) filed 10-16-96; operative 10-16-96 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 96, No. 42).
8. Amendment of subsection (a)15.(a)-(b) and repealer and new subsection (c)(2) filed 2-6-97; operative 2-6-97 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 97, No. 6).
9. Amendment filed 11-12-97; operative 12-12-97 (Register 97, No. 46).
10. Editorial correction of subsection (a) Table and subsections (b), (c) and (d) (Register 98, No. 16).
11. Editorial correction of subsection (e)(2) (Register 98, No. 33).
12. Editorial correction of subsections (c)(7) and (e)(2) (Register 98, No. 49).
13. Amendment filed 12-7-98; operative 1-6-99 (Register 98, No. 50).
14. Amendment of subsection (e)(3) filed 2-25-99; operative 2-25-99 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 99, No. 9).
15. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (d)(2) filed 1-7-2000 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2000, No. 1).
16. Amendment of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4), (a)(11), (a)(14)(B), (b)(1), (b)(3)-(5), (b)(11) and (b)(12) filed 3-13-2000; operative 3-13-2000 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(d) (Register 2000, No. 11).
17. Amendment filed 1-15-2003; operative 2-14-2003 (Register 2003, No. 3).
18. Amendment filed 7-16-2004; operative 7-16-2004 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2004, No. 29).
19. Amendment of second paragraph and subsections (b)(11)-(12), (c)(2) and (c)(4) filed 7-22-2005; operative 8-21-2005 (Register 2005, No. 29).
20. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (c)(8), (d)(2) and (e)(2) filed 10-31-2006 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2006, No. 44).
21. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (e)(2) filed 9-29-2010 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2010, No. 40).
22. Amendment of subsection (c)(2) and new subsections (c)(2)(a) and (c)(2)(b) filed 3-3-2011; operative 3-3-2011 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2011, No. 9).
23. Amendment of subsections (c)(8) and (e)(2) filed 1-11-2012; operative 2-10-2012 (Register 2012, No. 2).
24. Amendment of first paragraph and subsection (a) filed 3-29-2012; operative 3-29-2012 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2012, No. 13).
25. Redesignation of portions of former subsection (b)(7) as new subsections (b)(7)(A)-(B) and new subsection (b)(7)(C) filed 10-9-2013; operative 1-1-2014 (Register 2013, No. 41).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 5526, 5550 and 5552, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 5550 and 5552, Business and Professions Code.

The amended version of this section by Register 2024, No. 44, effective 1/1/2025 is not yet available.