Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0120 - Architectural Engineering Examiners
Chapter 0120-01 - Registration Requirements and Procedures
Section 0120-01-.11 - EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - ARCHITECT

Current through April 3, 2024

(1) For purposes of evaluating the education and experience of applicants for examination and registration as an architect, the Board may utilize the "Table of Equivalents" contained in Appendix "A" to Circular of Information No. 1, published in July 1983 by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), except to the extent that such document conflicts with any applicable statute.

(2) Accredited architecture programs. An architecture program which was accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) at the time of graduation, or graduation was not more than two (2) academic years prior to accreditation, may be approved by the Board as being satisfactory. For purposes of this paragraph, a state-supported school of architecture approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission is deemed to have an accredited degree curriculum.

(3) Non-accredited architecture programs.

(a) For purposes of T.C.A. §§ 62-2-501(2) and 62-2-502(b), an architectural curriculum of four (4) years or more which is a non-NAAB accredited program shall be referred at the applicant's expense to a person or entity approved by the Board and qualified to evaluate equivalency to an NAAB accredited program for evaluation and recommendation. If the curriculum for the degree at the time of the applicant's graduation is equivalent to NAAB accreditation requirements, the application shall be reviewed in accordance with the requirements for applicants holding architecture degrees from institutions which do not have NAAB accredited architecture programs in consideration of the factors outlined below.

(b) In reviewing a non-accredited architectural curriculum, the Board may approve either an architectural curriculum of not less than four (4) years offered by a school of architecture as part of an architectural curriculum toward a NAAB accredited degree or its equivalent.

(c) In reviewing applicants holding degrees from non-accredited architecture programs, whether obtained in the United States or otherwise, which are substantially equivalent to degrees from NAAB accredited programs, the Board may consider the following factors:
1. Evidence of having obtained the statutory minimum acceptable practical experience in architectural work, and

2. At least five (5) references from individuals having knowledge of the applicant's technical competence as an architect.

(d) For purposes of this paragraph, an architectural degree from a program accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or from a program deemed substantially equivalent by the NAAB, is deemed to be equivalent to a degree from a NAAB-accredited program.

(4) For purposes of T.C.A. § 62-2-501(3), an approved "architecture-related curriculum" is an architectural engineering or architectural engineering technology curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

(5) Effective December 1, 1984, an applicant for the required examination for registration as an architect must have completed the Intern-Architect Development Program (IDP) of the NCARB prior to registration.

(6) An applicant for registration by comity shall submit proof acceptable to the board of having obtained the practical experience in architectural work required by T.C.A. §§ 62-2-501 and 62-2-502.

(7) In general, "practical experience in architectural work" consists of architectural experience which is supervised by a registered architect and meets the requirements of T.C.A. § 62-2-503. Architecture teaching with full-time faculty status in a college or university offering an approved architectural curriculum of four (4) years or more may be considered, at the discretion of the Board, as practical experience in architectural work.

(8) The Board shall review applicants meeting the above requirements for determination of eligibility for either the Architect Registration Examination prepared by NCARB or for registration by comity.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-2-203(c), 62-2-501, 62-2-502, and 62-2-503.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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