Our programs are as diverse as our members. From licensure prep seminars to professional practice discussions, to intensive all-day training sessions on the ADA and accessibility, our mission is to provide useful programming to assist our members in advancing their professional development and careers.
Tip: Always check our event calendar. It will show all the upcoming CEU events, networking opportunities, collaborative meetings and all that pertains to the Santa Clara Valley practicing Architects.
How to calculate your credits
For your reference, members’ credits are calculated as follows:
Overage from previous year + audit year + current year
The overage carries over only if there is a deficit in the audit year. The current year’s credits apply to the audit year’s requirement only if there is a deficit in the audit year. For more information please visit the FAQ:
All active AIA members must successfully complete 18 learning unit (LU) hours each year, with at least 12 of the 18 LU hours relating to health, safety, and/or welfare (HSW).
A member who fails to meet the annual requirement will be given a nine month grace period. Any credit earned in the following year will apply toward the deficit. During the grace period, members are able to report retroactively any activities that were completed in the previous year.
A member who exceeds the annual requirement may carry up to 18 LU hours (including eight hours of HSW) over to the next year. Carryover credit can be used for one year only; it is not cumulative. Only the number of credits needed to fulfill the annual requirement for the following year may be carried over. Extra credit may not be carried past the one-year limit.
NOTE: Most state licensing boards do not allow carryover and deficit credit. States have strict continuing education time frames, and credits must be earned within them.
Quick links
Professional Licensure and Compliance
California Architects Board CAB administers the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) and oversees all aspects of licensing. For more information on the CAB, requirements for licensing, or to verify a licensed architect, visit www.cab.ca.gov.
Architect Registration Exam (ARE)
The ARE, developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), is the national computerized architectural licensing examination that consists of multiple divisions. The ARE examines candidates’ knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the design and construction of buildings.
AIA Continuing Education System Requirements
Active AIA members must successfully complete 18 learning unit (LU) hours each year, with at least 12 LU hours relating to Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW).
Calculating Your AIA Credits
Members must complete 18 LUs each year: 6 LUs + 12 HSW
Go to AIA’s Education website for more information
A member who fails to meet the annual requirement will be given a nine month grace period. Any credit earned in the following year will apply toward the deficit. During the grace period, members are able to report retroactively any activities that were completed in the previous year.
A member who exceeds the annual requirement may carry up to 18 LU hours (including eight hours of HSW) over to the next year. Carryover credit can be used for one year only; it is not cumulative. Only the number of credits needed to fulfill the annual requirement for the following year may be carried over. Extra credit may not be carried past the one-year limit.
Getting Your AIA Credits
When you see the AIA/CES logo advertised in conjunction with our educational seminars, workshops, and conferences you’ll know the specific program has been registered through the AIA CES system. If a program is registered, this means that all members who register and attend will have their time recorded for credit by the provider (eg. AIA Silicon Valley). Make sure you bring your AIA member number so that the provider can report your credit accurately.
Self-Reporting
All AIA members have the option of self-reporting independent activities or research for CES credits. The program must be educational in nature and related to new knowledge aligned to their practice of architecture.