Continuing education is part of being an architect, and PDH Academy can help.
Although your degree taught you what you needed to know in order to graduate, continuing education is what keeps your knowledge base up to date. Architects who live in states with mandatory continuing education (MCE) as well as all members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) must meet the state or AIA continuing education requirements every year. Fulfilling these requirements lets you keep your license and membership current.
PDH Academy can help you meet your MCE requirements in a convenient, online format. We offer the courses you need, and they’re structured to align with the strictest AIA guidelines.
State and AIA requirements keep your education current.
MCE Requirements and Relevant Courses are Strictly Outlined
According to the AIA “Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Guidelines,” there is an annual requirement of 12 credits per year in HSW training. State requirements vary, but you can find yours here.
AIA-approved training follows three criteria in order for any course to qualify. First, course content must align with the AIA’s definition of Health, Safety, and Welfare, which states that it is “Anything that relates to the structural integrity or soundness and health impacts of a building or building site.” Courses must be structured with a focus on protecting the public.
The health aspect focuses on physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing. The safety aspect helps reduce or prevent injury or death among building or site users. And the welfare aspect helps promote a positive emotional and physical reaction among all users.
Second, course content must include one or more of the AIAs acceptable topics. These include, but are not limited to, building systems, construction documents, materials and methods, preservation, and design.
And third, at least 75 percent of any MCE course content must focus on HSW. To make it simpler, AIA explains that if a course is 1 hour long, 45 minutes must be devoted to HSW topics.
Online PDH Academy courses make MCE convenient.
PDH Academy Courses are Designed to Fulfill Your Requirements
The continuing education courses offered by PDH Academy are approved by AIA and state licensing boards, so your requirements are covered. We’re an American Institute of Architects Registered Provider.
As an example, we offer “PDH Course Bundle A,” which covers 2010 ADA Part 1, Building Envelope Impact on HVAC, and Green Roofs. Successful completion yields your annual requirement of 12 credit hours. “PDH Course Bundle B” covers Review of Structural Materials & Methods for Home Building in the U.S.: 1900 – 2000, Designing Safe Schools in Case of Terrorists and School Shootings, and Green Building Guidelines for New Home Construction.” This bundle also yields 12 credit hours.
Numerous other MCE options are available unbundled, from Residential Remodeling and Universal Design to LEED for Existing Buildings: Recertification Guidance, with different credit hours ranging from 1 to 12.
Once you decide on PDH Academy for state or AIA continuing education requirements, you can register online, pay for your courses online, and take your courses and final exams online. We can even submit your credit hours to AIA on your behalf.
Architect state licensure and AIA membership come at a cost, and that cost is keeping your education current. The industry is continually growing and evolving, and we help you stay on top of what you need to know.
To learn more about how PDH Academy can help you meet your MCE requirements, check out our full list of course descriptions.
