AXP (Architectural Experience Program)
AXP
To earn a license and become an architect, you will need to document real-world experience through the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®). Developed by NCARB and required by most U.S. licensing boards, the AXP provides a framework to guide you through earning and reporting your professional experience.
As you progress through the AXP, you’ll build up competency in the skills and tasks you need to practice architecture. With broad experience areas that reflect the current phases of practice, the program prepares you for everything from site design to project management.
- Start the AXP: You can start earning AXP experience after you graduate from high school or the established equivalent, and NCARB offers a discount for students!
- Experience Areas: The AXP® identifies 96 key tasks that fall into six practice areas. To demonstrate your ability to perform those tasks, you’ll need to report a total of 3,740 hours across the six areas.
- Record your AXP: All of your AXP® experience must be logged and approved by your AXP supervisor through your NCARB Record. There are two methods of documenting your experience: the hourly reporting method and the AXP Portfolio.
- Supervisors and Mentors: Supervisors and mentors play an important role in helping candidates complete the path to licensure, so it’s vital that you have a basic understanding of the experience program, its goals, and the responsibilities involved. As a supervisor or mentor, your role is to encourage and support candidates’ professional development by providing work assignments that will guide them through developing the skills identified by the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®).