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Emeritus Membership Talking Points/FAQs

What changed?

On May 19, 2012, at National Convention, the AIA voted to change the AIA By Laws in the area of Eligibility for Emeritus membership.

2.31 Eligibility.

2.311 Architect Members. Any Architect member may apply for Emeritus status who has been in good standing in the Institute for fifteen successive years immediately prior to his or her application, and either (i) has attained the age of 70 and is retired from the profession of architecture, or (ii) is so incapacitated as to be unable to work in the profession.

2.312 Associate Members. Any Associate member may apply for Emeritus status who has been in good standing in the Institute for fifteen successive years immediately prior to his or her application, and either (i) has attained the age of 70 and is retired from the profession of architecture, or (ii) is so incapacitated as to be unable to work in the profession.

What are the requirements for Emeritus status eligibility?

Fifteen successive years of AIA membership in the Architect or Associate member category, age 70 or above, and retired from the profession of architecture (or from a related occupation, in the case of Associate members)

or

Incapacitated and unable to work in the profession

What is the process to attain Emeritus membership status?

1. The member first contacts the local Component; the process begins at the local level.

2. Local Component staff verifies retirement status and the member completes an Emeritus Application Request form.

3. Local Component staff sends the application form to the Membership team at AIA National after retirement verification.

4. National confirms that the member meets the eligibility requirements (age 70 and fifteen consecutive years of membership).

5. Member and the local Component are notified when the Emeritus application is approved that the AIA membership status changed in the member’s record.

What happens if a member does not meet one or both eligibility requirements?

The member is not eligible for Emeritus status until both age and membership criteria are met. (This does not apply to members who are permanently incapacitated.)

A member may appeal denial based on the 15 consecutive year requirement; however a member cannot appeal the age requirement.