Illinois Architecture Licensing Position Statements (Adopted 1/08)

Introduction
The Illinois Architecture Practice Act was the first of its kind in the United States. It continues to serve as a model for state practice regulations even today. From time to time this Act has to be updated to keep it relevant to current professional and practical realities. The architects of the American Institute of Architects of Illinois (AIA Illinois) endeavor to collaborate with the Illinois Department of Regulation and the Illinois Architects Licensing Board to administer the Act and uphold its principles.

Illinois is instrumental to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), a non-profit federation of architectural licensing boards in the United States. NCARB features state registration requirements and Intern Development Program (IDP) criteria for those seeking license registration. AIA Illinois has a strong vision of the future of the IDP process as well as the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE). This vision is influenced by its connection with schools of architecture.

One of the major tenants of the Illinois Architecture Practice Act is the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public. This same tenant is a foundation of AIA Illinois. Therefore AIA Illinois continually engages in the review of principles and regulations for architectural practice in Illinois.

Principles
1. The health, safety and welfare of the public as impacted by the built environment are the first priority of practicing architects.
2. The profession of architecture requires a regulating body which must be responsible for upholding the requirements of the Illinois Architectural Practice Act. Among the functions of this body must be a process for hearing and evaluating reports of unqualified practice or violations, abuse and misuse of architectural practice.
3. AIA Illinois generally supports the policies of NCARB and IDP as essential to the preparation of interns seeking to practice as licensed architects in the future.
4. Policies that support Continuing Education encourage and enable architects to sustain and expand the knowledge base that perpetually advances the practice of architecture.
5. Eligibility to begin the Architectural Registration Exam upon obtaining an accredited degree from a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) program and enrollment in an IDP is important and reasonable.

Goals
1. Continually provide and create access to information, educational programs and seminars for all architects as a means of continuing education.
2. Support AIA Illinois Licensing Committee representation at NCARB Meetings.
3. Ensure that the Architectural Registration Exam is available to architectural students upon graduation from accredited programs.
4. Advocate for and participate in updates of the Illinois Practice Act as it becomes necessary.
5. Advocate and provide the perspective of architects to the Illinois Licensing Board.

Call to Action
1. AIA Illinois stresses the urgent need for constant and consistent enforcement of the Illinois Practice Act.
2. AIA Illinois asks that architects continue to maintain and establish lines of communication with DPR and state legislators on licensure issues.
3. AIA Illinois urges continuous mentoring for architectural graduates, associates and college students on the issue of ethical practice.
4. AIA Illinois stresses the need for qualified regulators and adequate regulation at the state level to insure the protection of the public's health, safety & welfare through the use of qualified architects.

References
Illinois Practice Act of 1989
NCARB “Architects Qualifications” http://www.ncarb.com/
NCARB “Legislative Guidelines and Model Law- Model Regulations”