I give more credence to those initials that require continuing education to keep them (which lets out the FCSI) – and until recently the LEED intitials did not require that, nor does the CDT. (and like Jo, I was the first woman professional member in my Seattle CSI chapter. there were a few members who thought that perhaps I “couldn’t be eligible” for CSI membership, and steered me towards WIC.) I’m glad that aspect of the business has changed…
Thank you, Anne, for having that determination! I haven’t faced much of that discrimination in the mid-west, but I certainly can appreciate what some women have faced.
Continually learning, discovering something new every day, even after 17 years in design+construction with the last 6 of those as a full time specifier – that you don’t get letters for, yet I count it as the most important for a spec writer. But regarding the letters and their relative importance in my case, ditto exactly what Lynn says in her April 15 post.
…except swap AIA for RLA in my case. I am a SCIP Affiliate too now, as of Tuesday night.
I agree with Sheldon, that CSI’s order of preference works: RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA. After that, I value SCIP more than LEED AP, even though the LEED AP is more recognizable in general. One thing that annoys the heck out of me is the fact that I’ve had to educate even sophisticated clients on the fact that RA means I’m licensed to practice architecture even though there is no “AIA” after my name.
Ann,
When and where did RA start, and how did it come to be recognizable as a licensed architect? Shouldn’t that be LA for licensed architect?
In most cases [if not all] under state laws, one is registered as an architect, not licensed.
RA, I think, has the same root source as the PE for Professional Engineer [oddly enough, engineers are also registered, but I have never seen RE used; perhaps because of other useage of those letters].
Merely simple acronyms overall.
This has been a great discussion so far and I do appreciate the input as I think about the future.
First - that little piece of paper on my wall says Architect License. I think AL would really confuse the average person. AIA seems to do the job although I really don’t think I am getting my money’s worth right now. If it was not for office politics and the company paying for it . . .
Which leads me to ask one of the first questions differently. Membership in these organizations cost money. We belong for many different reasons, but mostly to benefit out work. What do you feel you get for that membership fee? Deals on life insurance? CEU’s? Influence on our government? Shared knowledge? Good friends?
Are some organizations better deals than others?
Shared knowledge is the most valuable of what I get from both my CSI and SCIP memberships. Until about 5 years ago, my local AIA chapter didn’t do educational meetings, so the only thing I got from that was hob-nobbing with people who just about snubbed me because I wasn’t taking a traditional architectural track toward being licensed. They have changed, however, and it’s almost worth the cost I pay as an Associate member.
My local CSI chapter (now chapters) has always provided educational meetings, and consequently, has always given me that value for my dues. Besides the learning unit requirements, I feel that the day I stop learning is the day I’ll die. Education has value.
Networking and friendships only happen if you attend meetings. So AIA never served me that way and CSI did - and does.
Life insurance, influence, deals in general, don’t really interest me. Sharing knowledge and networking do - and will benefit me as well as my employer. CSI (and SCIP) serve me well in both areas.
The terms “registered” and “licensed” are used almost interchangeably. Minnesota statutes use both but use licensed more frequently. Other statutes I’ve looked at are similar, with no consistency. Texas uses both in a single sentence, with each profession treated differently:
“Licensed or registered professional” means a licensed architect, registered professional land surveyor, licensed professional engineer,…
Hey! Let’s form an organization to standardize terms!
Personnally, I despise the term “registered architect.” It sounds like a dog – registered poodle. Why does it have to be qualified with registered or licensed? By most, if not all state regulations, the definition of “architect” is a person who holds a current license to practice architecture. One is either an architect, or not an architect. The initials I value most are AIA, so that I don’t have to use RA; but, I do not get the best value from the organization. If I could put “Architect” on my business card, I would.
Considering “AIA” to replace the “RA” in my list, so that my architect clients will be more firmly reminded that I, too, am an architect. Even the licensed ones don’t seem to get “RA”. Still, that’s an expensive purchase, just to let someone track my continuing ed credits the easy way and sip the occasional fizzy water at a reception.
CSI speaks volumes to other CSI members. They aren’t often my clients, but they are my peers and friends and have been very, very helpful throughout my spec career.
Also considering SCIP, which (bonus!) gets me EIEIO, too. (Or is EIEIO after six sets now?) Does SCIP speak to anyone besides other specifiers?
I actually think LEED AP has been helpful for distinguishing me from among other specifiers in my area.
Eastern Institute of Enlightenment and Intellectual Outgrowth (EIEIO) is my alma mater.
Most of you may know of it by the more informal “Virginia Tech.”
I agree whole heartily with Forgot my password. Under my name on my business card is simply “Architect.”
To me, RA and AIA are mutually exclusive.
RA is a personal attribute acquired through education, knowledge and examination and is a notation of my status.
AIA [like CSI, SCIP,etc.] indicates an organzaition to which you enter into memership for some specific reason. I like the shared knowledge concept of Lynn’s, and take note of mild disdain in this thread about the AIA-- yet some still feel AIA better represents them [and can replace RA?].
Confusing. AIA has long been maligned about not really being of service to their average member and offering little for local consumption for the fees involved-- don’t know, that may be correct.
Also, being involved with dogs on number of issues and levels [including show dogs], I take some umbrage with my registration being confused and equated to a poodle that is registered WITH the AKC [as in having its litter and pedigree legitimized, numbered and recorded], and speaking nothing about the dog itself or its capabilities!
Except that, Ralph, one must be ‘RA’ to be allowed to put ‘AIA’ after thier name. This, I think, is what posters are referring to. I’m a member of AIA, but am not registered. I can only put ‘Assoc. AIA’ after my name.
My poodle is registered and has her own registration number. (and she has a better pedigree than I do, which is also is traceable back more generations than mine is). I wouldn’t mind coming back as my poodle in my next life – she can go nearly anywhere, and people give her treats all the time. And to show that she is smarter than me, she doesn’t even have to pay for her own registration!
come to think of it, maybe she’s more like some architects than I first thought…
I verified this old tale just today during a mid-morning coffee break.
I went to Denny’s, showed the waitress my Architect’s license and paid $3.80 and got a cup of coffee. After drinking the coffee, I showed the waitress my AIA membership card and got a free refill!
I wonder what I could have gotten had I gone to Starbuck’s and additionally showed by CSI membership card.
Checking into a roadside motel after a long day on the road, the desk person asked the inevitable, “are you a member of AAA?”
To which I said, “no, but I am a member of AIA and here is my card”.
“Okay, I guess that works too”.
I pay around $700 a year and get about $50 savings on my car and home insurance. And just to show you how much they value AIA, on my insurance bill it indicates that I get a SAE discount (Society of Automotive Engineers).
How many of you take advantage or the O.L.D. intials and get Senior Citizens discounts? Not sure if I am looking forward to that in a couple years.