FAQ: Proposed 2025 new membership categories
Find answers to frequently asked questions on the topic of proposed new membership categories being presented for a delegate membership vote at the upcoming Annual Meeting 2024.
AIA membership categories - Proposed 2025 categories
Individuals possessing a valid U.S. Architecture license.
Individuals possessing a valid non-U.S. Architecture license.
- Associate AIA: Individuals with a U.S. degree in Architecture or are practicing architectural design under the direct guidance of a licensed architect.
- Senior Associate AIA: Individuals with 10+ years of Associate membership who opt-in to show commitment to the Architecture profession without being licensed.
- International Associate AIA: Individuals with a non-U.S. degree in Architecture.
Individuals teaching architecture in a post-secondary school who are not practicing architecture in a non-academic setting.
Individuals with a license in a key adjacent field or employed in professions licensed or otherwise that support the business of architecture.
Individuals studying architecture in a post-secondary school.
Individuals of esteemed character providing distinguished service to the architecture profession and approved by the Jury of Honorary Members.
- Emeritus: Individuals retiring from architecture, 70+ years old, with 15+ consecutive or 25+ total years of membership.
- Fellow: Individuals with 10+ years of appropriate membership and approved by the Jury of Fellows.
- Honorary Fellow: Individuals residing outside the U.S. with a non-U.S. Architecture license and approved by the Jury of Fellows.
FAQ
AIA is the voice of the architect and the leader for the increasingly globalized architecture profession. AIA’s bold strategic plan envisions creating a big tent organization that positions AIA to engage design, construction, and community stakeholders with AIA - and architects - as the convener for the entire built environment. By updating our membership categories, we will expand the AIA Community with the architect at the center, meet current members where they are with more opportunities, and increase dues revenue to provide more support for the profession and our members along their career stages.
No changes are being made to the Architect membership category. By refining other membership categories, we will better support the licensure path and help grow the pool of future architects.
The AIA Strategic Plan directs us to "Collaborate with those who realize the power of design to solve problems." This expansion will focus on domestically and internationally licensed architects because the environmental threat we're facing is global, and we need to connect effective design to a global scale. The proposed new membership structure delivers on that goal and further positions AIA to engage design, construction, and community stakeholders.
This is consistent with the forward-thinking standard that all members with a designation must have continuing education requirements to show dedication to the profession. Furthermore, we expect that this change will increase the value of the Associate category to employers and for the firms. Members who renew their Associate membership in 2025 will renew for an Associate category that requires continuing education, but these credits will not be required at the point of renewal and will only need to be completed in time for the 2026 continuing education audit cycle.
As part of exploring the new membership structure, current Associate members reported a desire to signify their breadth of expertise and tenure as design professionals even without a license. The status and designation of "Senior" is earned through 10+ years of Associate membership and will help architects identify high value collaboration partners.
Academics are one of our greatest influencers for the next generation of architects. This category will be for individuals teaching architecture in a post-secondary school who are not practicing architecture in a non-academic setting. This category is not intended for licensed individuals working outside an academic setting most of the time. Adjunct Professors working full-time as Architects must remain in the appropriate membership category to use the AIA, FAIA, and Assoc. AIA designations.
AIA is taking an expansive view of the architectural community, and we want to be as inclusive as possible for this pipeline of future architects and design professionals. As such, this category will be open to anyone in a post-secondary school interested in architecture. We are partnering with AIAS, NOMAS, and other existing student organizations to leverage all our unique strengths to deliver the most value to students.
No, the Allied Member Category will not change.
You can contact your local chapter and let them know you support AIA working to position architects and AIA as the convener for the built environment and meeting members where they are in their careers with these new categories.
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