The AIA Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) is a thriving, multifaceted, life-long professional development program and the largest source of education specifically targeted to the design and building industry.
This program was developed by the AIA to help members meet their state mandatory continuing education requirements and to help them fulfill their AIA continuing education requirement for membership renewal. Most state licensing boards with mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements recognize AIA/CES as the primary source of continuing education for their licensed architects. In addition, AIA/CES tracks continuing education courses taken by members and records it on their AIA transcript as a service and a benefit of AIA membership.
AIA Palm Beach holds monthly luncheon seminars that earn one CE each month. The luncheons are free for AIA Palm Beach Members and $20 for nonmembers. Please see our Events page for more information.
AIA/CES Mission
The AIA/CES mission supports members in mastering new knowledge and skills to meet the changing requirements of the profession and to responsibly meet the role society entrusts to architects. CES supports its continuing education mission through the Approved Provider Program, which consists of a network of AIA/CES approved providers. AIA/CES hopes to inspire and guide approved providers to consistently deliver quality education courses for architects.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Requirements
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation requires continuing education of all Florida registered architects for licensure maintenance. Likewise, the AIA requires continuing education of its members for maintenance of membership. Although the reporting periods are different for each, the State of Florida DBPR automatically accepts all registered and approved AIA courses, which means that AIA courses can be used to fulfill most of the state requirements.
The state of Florida requires 20 CEUs (including 16 HSW plus two Adv Bldg Code), due biennially by February 28th every odd year. The AIA requires 18 LU Hours (including four HSW plus four HSW / SD) due the end of every calendar year. As an aid to help understand the similarities and differences between both sets of requirements, see the AIA + FL CEU Matrix.
Sustainable Design Requirements
The AIA board of directors modified the AIA-member continuing education requirement to include four hours of education in sustainable design (SD) as part of the existing 18-hour annual requirement. This sustainable design requirement became effective in calendar year 2009 and extends through 2012.
Continuing Education Transcripts
The AIA maintains online continuing education transcripts for all of its members. To view your transcript, go to http://www.aia.org/education/ and login using your AIA membership number.
Hard copies of AIA continuing education transcripts are no longer automatically mailed. The official CES transcript from the University of Oklahoma is still available to members via mail by request only. The first copy is free and additional copies are $10 each. In most cases, the CES online transcript has become the transcript of choice. Most states accept the online version with attached copies of membership cards.
The Florida DBPR does not maintain CE transcripts. It is the responsibility of the registered providers for the State of Florida to report participant CEUs to the state. All architects are responsible for retaining proof of participation in CE courses.
More Information
For more information on State of Florida and AIA CE requirements, see the following links:
Florida Board of Architecture & Interior Design
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/arch/index.html
AIA Website, Florida Licensing Requirements
http://www.aia.org/education/ces/mcerequirements/AIAS074609
Florida DBPR Continuing Education Handbook
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/arch/documents/architecture_ce_prvdrs_crses_application_package_enterable.pdf
Florida DBPR CE History Notice
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/arch/documents/architecture_ce_prvdrs_crses_application_package_enterable.pdf
Continuing AIA National Continuing Education Website
http://www.aia.org/education/index.htm
Other Facts
1. AIA Palm Beach & AIA Florida are both Registered CE Providers.
2. Courses by non-AIA providers or self-designed activities can be submitted by using the AIA / CES Self Report Form. The form can be accessed via the CE Transcript page – http://www.aia.org/education/
3. AIA Palm Beach only registers its courses with the AIA; not with the State of Florida.
Continuing Education for Providers
AIA/CES approved providers are organizations that have been approved by AIA/CES to provide continuing education in accordance with the guidelines outlined in our manual. Approved providers include architectural firms and stakeholder providers, which include associations, government agencies, product manufacturers and universities. In addition, AIA components and AIA National in-house departments are also AIA/CES providers.