Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/155979
Intern Development Program (IDP) By Jimmy H. Seay, Jr., AIA, Alabama IDP Coordinator A ll individuals who wish to practice Architecture in Alabama must hold a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited degree, complete the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) and pass the NCARB Architectural Registration Examination. Alabama has a well-developed IDP organization. "Alabama Home" interns are required to be active in the program a minimum of two years prior to initial registration. While no NCARB qualified learning units are lost, Alabama interns should understand that the earliest date that one may be registered is two years after his or her NCARB/IDP file was originally opened. Along with a new online reporting system, NCARB has instituted a "6 Month Rule" on reporting IDP experience. Failure to report experience in a timely fashion may result in the loss of credit. Be aware of the "Rolling Clock" rule. Interns have 5 years to pass all parts of the A.R.E. from the date of the first part passed, or they will have to retake any parts outside the 5 year window. The Registration Board rules allow A.R.E. admission for Alabama home interns 6 months after graduation from an NAAB accredited school. State and area coordinators are available to answer questions and to assist in appointing IDP advisors. The three state coordinators are appointed jointly by the Alabama Council AIA and the State of Alabama Board for Registration of Architects. IDP responds to beginning architects' professional development needs by providing a wide range of resources that enhance day-to-day experiences. The IDP training requirements establish levels of training in important areas of architectural practice. Through the IDP advisory system, interns receive advice and guidance from practitioners. The IDP record keeping system facilitates the documentation of internship activities, while the IDP supplementary education system provides a variety of learning resources to enrich training. Intern Friendly Firms - IDP Outstanding Firm Awards To recognize firms that provide assistance to interns and to support interns preparing for registration, the Alabama Council AIA has developed an "Intern Friendly" firm profile. All qualifying intern friendly firm website links will be posted on AIA Alabama's website. National AIA has established the criteria and process for recognition of firms that meet 12 essential criteria in the categories of mentoring, supervising, training opportunities, commitment to IDP and Architect Registration Exam support. Those that demonstrate excellence in at least three of these categories are recognized as DP Outstanding Firms. The State of Alabama Board for Registration of Architects Alabama Architecture & Design Resource Guide 40 has adopted a policy for registration that parallels that of NCARB, as have virtually all states in our region and the nation. NCARB/IDP is firmly established as the method for obtaining the training and documentation necessary to become a registered architect in our state, region and nation. Closely following IDP training guidelines better prepares an intern for the A.R.E., and once he or she passes and becomes a new registrant, adherence to the guidelines ensures the new registrant an orderly reciprocity process in other states. Through contributions from the Alabama Council AIA, the Alabama Architectural Foundation has available scholarships which recognize academic achievement and architectural talent of interns who earn IDP credit with Alabama firms. Likewise, the Council, through a partnership with Auburn University and the Board for Registration of Architects, is planning for a series of intern continuing education courses which are crafted to help prepare these emerging intern architects to practice while protecting and promoting the health, safety and welfare of Alabama citizens. The Alabama Council AIA (in addition to supplying the volunteers who act as intern mentors) sponsors other programs to benefit interns. These programs include support of AIAS activities participation in Collegiate internship fairs sponsored by AIAS chapter and a national AIA "Career Center," which assists Interns in job placement, the Young Architects Forum providing supplementary education courses and annual presentations to architecture students that explain the basics of IDP. National and State Level IDP Officials Harry Falconer, Jr., AIA - Director, Intern Development Program, hfalconer@ncarb.org Douglas J. Morgan - Director, Records, dmorgan@ncarb.org Suzanna Wight - Director of Emerging Architects, AIA, Washington, D.C., swight@aia.org Cindy McKim - Executive Director, State of Alabama Board for Registration of Architects, Montgomery, AL, cindy.mckim@boa. state.al.us Bonnie Singleton - Executive Assistant, State of Alabama Board for Registration of Architects, Montgomery, AL, bonnie.singleton@boa.state.al.us David W. Hinson, AIA – Alabama IDP State Coordinator, Auburn, AL, hinsonw@auburn.edu Danny Trotter, Associate AIA- Alabama IDP State Coordinator, Birmingham AL, danny@rw$arch.com Jim H. Seay, Jr., AIA- Alabama IDP State Coordinator, Montgomery, AL, jseay@sslarch.com