Continuing Education FAQs
General requirements to remain in good standing with the AIA applicable to all members regardless of location (within or outside of the US) can be found here.
Q: Do I need to maintain both my AIA transcript and my Canadian Provincial one individually?
A: Yes. Members are responsible for maintaining their continuing education records with both their provincial regulatory authority and the AIA. At this time, there is no transcript reciprocity between Canadian provincial associations and the AIA, so each transcript must be maintained separately.
Please note that acceptance of a continuing education activity by a Canadian provincial regulator does not automatically mean that the activity will be accepted for AIA credit. Each organization maintains its own continuing education requirements and review processes.
The AIA will award credit for courses that are reported directly by an AIA CES Authorized Provider or that otherwise qualify under AIA CES standards.
In certain circumstances, members may self-report educational activities to the AIA for consideration. Activities eligible for self-reporting are generally approved for LU|Elective credit. LU|HSW consideration is limited to programs offered by government agencies or credit courses from accredited colleges and universities, subject to AIA review and approval.
To self-report a qualifying activity:
- Log in to your AIA account and access your transcript.
- Select Self-Report and then + Submit Self-Report.
- Choose the appropriate credit type.
- Review the eligibility requirements and submit documents.
Course descriptions and supporting documentation may be submitted in either English or French and will be reviewed by the AIA in accordance with current AIA CES guidelines.
As AIA CES requirements may change from time to time, members are encouraged to consult the current AIA CES guidance and their AIA transcript portal for the most up-to-date eligibility and reporting requirements. Final approval of self-reported activities rests with the AIA.
Q: What are the AIA membership requirements for continuing education?
A: AIA Architect and International Associate members are required to complete 18 learning units (LUs) of continuing education every year. Of those 18 LUs, at least 12 must be for approved health, safety, and welfare (HSW) courses. Architect Emeritus members are required to complete one (1) LU each membership year. Associate and Allied members do not have a continuing education requirement.
New members are not required to complete the AIA continuing education requirement until their first full year as a member. For example, someone who joins in June will not be required to complete 18 LUs until the following year.
Q: How can I earn AIA qualified continuing education credits?
A: You can earn AIA learning units (LUs) by completing approved learning programs from registered AIA continuing education (CE) providers. You can verify whether a learning program is eligible for AIA CE credit and the type of credit in the AIA CE course catalog. Learning programs completed through registered AIA CE providers will be reported to AIA by the provider within 10 business days of successful completion of the program.
Members may also self-report learning that takes place outside the network of registered AIA CE providers. Self-reported learning programs are only eligible for LU|Elective credit unless the program is delivered by a government agency or is a for-credit course through an accredited college or university. Self-reports should be submitted online.
Q: How do I know if a learning program is approved for AIA learning units (LUs), how many LUs, and what kind?
A: AIA CE providers display the “AIA Continuing Education Provider” logo on their website and other materials.
They are also required to clearly indicate the credit designation and number of units with the description and learning objectives for the course. For example, 1.5-hour program that qualifies for health, safety, and welfare credit will be listed as 1.5 LU|HSW.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the AIA continuing education requirement?
A: AIA conducts an audit of member continuing education compliance annually. Any members who fail the audit are notified that they have been audited and found to be deficient in the required number or type of credits. Members who fail to meet the annual requirement have until September 30 of the following year to make up any LUs needed to meet the prior-year requirement. Members who fail to complete the requisite credits during the grace period will have their membership terminated. Any member terminated for noncompliance with the continuing education requirement is eligible to reinstate their membership at a later date.
Members who fail the annual audit may also request a waiver for cause from the AIA secretary.
General requirements to remain in good standing with the AIA applicable to all members regardless of location (within or outside of the US) can be found here.
Q: Do I need to maintain both my AIA transcript and my Canadian Provincial one individually?
A: Yes. Members are responsible for maintaining their continuing education records with both their provincial regulatory authority and the AIA. At this time, there is no transcript reciprocity between Canadian provincial associations and the AIA, so each transcript must be maintained separately.
Please note that acceptance of a continuing education activity by a Canadian provincial regulator does not automatically mean that the activity will be accepted for AIA credit. Each organization maintains its own continuing education requirements and review processes.
The AIA will award credit for courses that are reported directly by an AIA CES Authorized Provider or that otherwise qualify under AIA CES standards.
In certain circumstances, members may self-report educational activities to the AIA for consideration. Activities eligible for self-reporting are generally approved for LU|Elective credit. LU|HSW consideration is limited to programs offered by government agencies or credit courses from accredited colleges and universities, subject to AIA review and approval.
To self-report a qualifying activity:
- Log in to your AIA account and access your transcript.
- Select Self-Report and then + Submit Self-Report.
- Choose the appropriate credit type.
- Review the eligibility requirements and submit documents.
Course descriptions and supporting documentation may be submitted in either English or French and will be reviewed by the AIA in accordance with current AIA CES guidelines.
As AIA CES requirements may change from time to time, members are encouraged to consult the current AIA CES guidance and their AIA transcript portal for the most up-to-date eligibility and reporting requirements. Final approval of self-reported activities rests with the AIA.
Q: What are the AIA membership requirements for continuing education?
A: AIA Architect and International Associate members are required to complete 18 learning units (LUs) of continuing education every year. Of those 18 LUs, at least 12 must be for approved health, safety, and welfare (HSW) courses. Architect Emeritus members are required to complete one (1) LU each membership year. Associate and Allied members do not have a continuing education requirement.
New members are not required to complete the AIA continuing education requirement until their first full year as a member. For example, someone who joins in June will not be required to complete 18 LUs until the following year.
Q: How can I earn AIA qualified continuing education credits?
A: You can earn AIA learning units (LUs) by completing approved learning programs from registered AIA continuing education (CE) providers. You can verify whether a learning program is eligible for AIA CE credit and the type of credit in the AIA CE course catalog. Learning programs completed through registered AIA CE providers will be reported to AIA by the provider within 10 business days of successful completion of the program.
Members may also self-report learning that takes place outside the network of registered AIA CE providers. Self-reported learning programs are only eligible for LU|Elective credit unless the program is delivered by a government agency or is a for-credit course through an accredited college or university. Self-reports should be submitted online.
Q: How do I know if a learning program is approved for AIA learning units (LUs), how many LUs, and what kind?
A: AIA CE providers display the “AIA Continuing Education Provider” logo on their website and other materials.
They are also required to clearly indicate the credit designation and number of units with the description and learning objectives for the course. For example, 1.5-hour program that qualifies for health, safety, and welfare credit will be listed as 1.5 LU|HSW.
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the AIA continuing education requirement?
A: AIA conducts an audit of member continuing education compliance annually. Any members who fail the audit are notified that they have been audited and found to be deficient in the required number or type of credits. Members who fail to meet the annual requirement have until September 30 of the following year to make up any LUs needed to meet the prior-year requirement. Members who fail to complete the requisite credits during the grace period will have their membership terminated. Any member terminated for noncompliance with the continuing education requirement is eligible to reinstate their membership at a later date.
Members who fail the annual audit may also request a waiver for cause from the AIA secretary.