What are the standards of AIA approved continuing education programs?
AIA continuing education programs require AIA Architect and International Associate members to complete 18 Learning Units (LUs) each year, 12 of which must be in Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) topics. Architect Emeritus members need 1 LU annually, while Associate and Allied members have no specific requirement but are encouraged to participate. All courses must be from registered AIA/CES providers.
Key Points:
- 18 LUs per year: AIA Architect and International Associate members must complete 18 LUs annually.
- 12 HSW LUs: 12 out of the 18 LUs must be in Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) topics.
- Registered Providers: Courses must be offered by registered AIA/CES providers to be accredited.
- Annual Audit: The AIA conducts annual audits to verify compliance with continuing education requirements.
- Non-Compliance: Members who fail to meet the requirements have a grace period to rectify the situation.
- Termination: Failure to meet requirements within the grace period can lead to membership termination.
Additional Information:
- The AIA provides a transcript service to help members track their progress.
- AIA offers a variety of CE opportunities, including online courses, live events, and peer-to-peer learning.
- NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) also has its own guidelines for HSW CE, according to their website.
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Related Topics, Questions and Answers:
Need CE credits or guidance on LU|HSW tracking? Get the answers to the most searched continuing education questions for architects and design professionals — and learn how to earn CE credits fast, on the go, and with zero paperwork.
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Additional Resources:
- AIA Austin maintains a current list of continuing education resources, events, and LU|HSW opportunities for local architects.
- AIA’s state compliance portal provides a complete breakdown of continuing education requirements for architects by state, helping professionals stay licensed and up-to-date.
- AIA Miami outlines the AIA membership requirements for continuing education, including LU minimums and annual HSW thresholds.
- The AIA CES Provider Manual (PDF) offers essential guidance on structuring courses, writing learning objectives, and maintaining CES compliance.
- VDA’s resource center includes training materials and industry education resources for architects and engineers, covering accessibility, fire protection, and building systems.
- Cortec provides AIA CES-approved continuing education programs focused on corrosion protection and MCI technologies for building durability and sustainability.
- PDH Academy breaks down AIA continuing education requirements for licensed architects, including LU types, reporting guidelines, and state overlap.
- The AIA FAQ section answers frequently asked questions about CE credit tracking, membership, transcripts, and self-reporting.
- AIA’s CEU hub outlines all options for earning, tracking, and reporting AIA-approved continuing education credits, including LU|HSW pathways.
- NCARB’s guidelines clarify continuing education standards for architects seeking license renewal and NCARB Certificate maintenance.
- For national-level certification, NCARB outlines continuing education requirements tied to the NCARB Certificate, helping architects stay eligible across multiple jurisdictions.