What’s the best thing to follow up a post about starting to take your ARE’s? That’s right! What you have to look forward to when you pass them! If you didn’t get a chance to read my post on How to Study for the ARE 5.0, go and check it out!
So you just got the notification that you passed your final exam! All that’s left is following through on some paper work and Boom! Congratulations, you can call yourself an Architect! You just got your license! But now what?
Here I will go over the next steps you should begin to pay attention to. One of the hardest parts of your career is over, but now you must make sure you are responsible with it and even willing to help others, who are not far behind you, in their careers.
So let’s look at your next steps following getting that license number!
Get Your Stamp!
Ok, kind of an obvious one, but go on! What are you waiting for! Order your official State Architect stamp! And once it comes in, practice using that bad boy on some blank paper (or Post-It’s like I did! Haha) I know it may seem childish, but don’t worry. I’m pretty sure every architect has done this ritual.
Not sure where to go to purchase your stamp? Ask your firm first, they may have a certain company they like to use for all their architect’s and engineer’s seals. Plus, a lot of times, the firm will pay for it for you. I mean, you are licensed under their firm now, it’s a perk for them too!
If you need to purchase one yourself first make sure you know, or have, all the stamp requirements for the State you are licensed in. These seal requirements are like the size, font, where your name and license number are located, among other things. Every State is different so pay attention.
Once you have that figured out, I recommend finding an online company that makes quality stamps. I have used, and recommend, Simply Stamps. They have many options, reasonable prices, quick shipping, and the customer service is great if you have any issues. Plus, they have an awesome Shop Stamps in Your State page where you can easily find your seal. Just double check all the perimeters again.
Know Your Worth
One of the biggest things I stress to recent licensed architects is to completely know your worth and value to a company. This, of course, relates back to mainly your salary or other benefits on the firm. Does your firm offer an incentive such as a bonus or pay raise with gaining your license? Will they pay for your passed exam fees? Look into your company’s policies and find out! Also check out AIA’s post about Knowing Your Worth. There you will find a salary calculator and other great resources to help you.
Now don’t be mistaken, I’m not just talking about the financial aspect as it pertains to the firm you are working for. I’m also talking about knowing (and making sure your company knows) the value you can provide.
Do you want a chance to be lead designer on a small project coming up? Want to project manage a design that is about to go out to bid? Want to attend more on-site field meetings? Understand what it is you want to pursue further with you firm and express the value you can bring to the table. You’ve earned a shot at something, so go for it!
Continuing Education
Now that you have that prized possession of your license you better make sure you keep it! Whether you are in the AIA or not, you need to look into what requirements concern your continuing education for the state you became licensed in.
A good place to start is, again, the AIA website. They have a great AIA & State requirement page you can resource. Just click the State you’ve obtained your license and listed should be details of the number of credits needed, as well as, when the renewal cycle will be (usually 1-2 years.)
There are a couple of great website that provide CE credits for architects and designers. GreenCE is one site I go to a lot for AIA and LEED hours. You can find many free one (1) hour courses here, or pay for others.
AEC Daily is another site I would recommend. They have a ton of credits (both free and for purchase) that you can take to gain the credits you need. If you have an AIA number, once provided, the units will be credited to your account within a week or two.
LEED Accreditation?
So yes, if you haven’t noticed, I’m huge proponent in all architects at least thinking about becoming LEED accredited. Not only will it help set you apart from the crowd, but architect’s are responsible for the environmental effects of the built environment. Understanding that responsibility is an enormous undertaking and a hot topic these days to say the least.
But honestly, this a great time to look into what it takes to gain your accreditation. Just think about it, you already probably know the testing facility well, know how best to study for exams, and have all the momentum built up of passing your ARE’s to help propel you into taking another couple of exams. ( I mean really, what’s one or two more exams when you’ve already taken six, right!)
If you are interested in what it means (and takes) to be LEED accredited check out my post It’s Not Easy Being Green – What is LEED? Also, now that you’re in that studying groove, check out GBES for all your LEED Exam Prep essentials! I used them when studying for my exams and breezed through the process!
Just Keep Learning
You know what changed for me the day I found out I passed my last exam? Nothing. (Well, I did get a lot of congratulations and a pay increase.) But as far as my day-to-day responsibilities went, it was just another day to sit back and learn.
Listen, I get it. It’s a huge deal to pass these exams and to be able to call yourself an architect. But you still have so much to learn from your peers and other more experienced architects, so don’t try to get ahead of yourself.
If there is one thing I believe about architects and the field of architecture it is that you are really never done with learning. There is always new technologies and innovations that effect designs in so many ways. Most older architects all say the same thing. You’re truly never done learning in this industry.
So basically, just keep learning. Just because you earned your license doesn’t mean you know everything. (Sing with me now ) “It’s only just begun….”
Help Others!
The last thing I would recommend doing is helping others in their path to licensure. Once you have your license it’s time to support those architects in training who are looking at trying to get theirs! Offer up your study materials, mention what study manuals you used and thought were worth the money. Support, and maybe even push them a little, while they are gearing up to initially begin testing.
It’s a daunting task that is in front of them, you know that. Letting them know that it can be achieved and giving them the added encouragement they need can go a long way! It’s part of the reason I wanted to write my post about How to Pass Your ARE’s Quickly. It’s also a main reason why I wanted to start this entire blog! Helping and supporting others through something so challenging like this is very fulfilling and I recommend you do it too!
Finally receiving your architect’s license and being able to stamp your first set of drawings is a huge deal! Do not underestimate yourself with this accomplishment! Just remember to still keep an open mind, learn from everyone and everything around you, and push to the next challenge in your life!
Congratulations again! You got this!
