NCARB

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, or NCARB, was founded in 1919 to create a seamless list of requirements for architects across the nation. All 50 states are members of NCARB.

Requirements Vary

Each state has different requirements for achieving the RA designation, but sometimes it is a seamless process to become registered in one state after attaining registration in another.

Typical Requirements

The typical requirements for becoming a registered architect include attaining a professional degree from an accredited university, completion of the Intern Development Program and passing all parts of the Architectural Registration Exam.

License to Practice

All states require that an aspiring registered architect attain his license before he is able to call himself an architect. If you do not have a license it is illegal to call yourself an architect.

AIA

The American Institute of Architects, or AIA, also has a set of requirements to fulfill in order for a registered architect to also use the designation of AIA. However, a registered architect does not have to be a member of the AIA to be able to use the designation of RA.

Source:

NCARB: Becoming an Architect

Architect Magazine: Unlicensed "Architect"