The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a member-driven professional association. The primary goal of the Continuing Education Systems (CES) is to provide the best available professional development opportunities to our membership and related industry professionals. The CES is equally committed to facilitating communication between the CES Registered Provider and our members though quality professional continuing education.

The 77,000 members of the AIA must complete 18 Learning Unit (LUs) hours of continuing education annually (8 hours of which must be related to Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) topics) to remain in good standing.

Architectural boards in 34 states, 10 Canadian Provinces and 16 Countries have implemented mandatory continuing education (MCE) for re-licensure. Statistically, the average architect holds multiple state licenses. States with MCE recognize the AIA/CES as the primary source of professional development for their licensed architects. This allows AIA members simply to present their AIA/CES transcripts (and non-members AIA/CES Certificates of Completion) to licensing boards to satisfy state requirements. See an overview of your state's requirements.

The AIA/CES offers providers of professional continuing education myriad opportunities to award CES Learning Units and provide valuable information and guidance, while bypassing the time-consuming process of registering their programs with individual states.