An architect must be an R.A. first. All the other acronyms are useless without this one.

R.A. is the acronym used by Registered Architects duly licensed by a state or jusrisdiction and in good standing. Only an R.A. can offer architectural services in the United States, but this individual must be registered in the state they wish to offer services before they can offer the services in that state. NYS provides an online search, a service of the State Education Department, permits the public to obtain vital information on the records of more than 1,000,000 licensees in the 48 professions regulated by the Department, including the more than 750,000 who are currently registered to practice within the State. The most important function of professional regulation is to protect the public; this information will help inform people about the licensed professionals who offer services in New York. http://www.op.nysed.gov/opsearches.htm

A.I.A. is the acronym used by R.A.'s who are members in good standing with the American Institute of Architects organization. It is important to note that the AIA only accepts R.A.'s upon initial membership registration. However the organization is not responsible for an member who has allowed their right to practice architecture by their state to lapse or be revoked and there are instances when individuals using AIA are not actually registered architects. If you are about to hire an architect you should always go to the state web site that your project is located in to be sure the individual is licensed to provide you services for your project. In New York go to http://www.op.nysed.gov/opsearches.htm. You can look up any any profession the State licenses and check their status. If the persons name does not show up they are generally not permitted to offer or practice the services of that profession. Of particular note: the AIA also offers a non-architects (yes people who are NOT architects) membership status known as an AIA Associate. This title is used by those associate members who are not architects, but who wish to affiliate themselves with the organization. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals sometimes become members to fool the public into thinking they are an R.A. I have personally researched non-registrants who pass themselves off as architects by trickery of this title making people think that not only can they provide architectural services, but are an Associate of an Architectural firm.

N.C.A.R.B. is an acronym for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards located in Washington DC. This organization validates and qualifies and architects credentials and keeps track of their of practice record. They also establish standards of architectural competence and qualify intern architects to take the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam). NCARB also assists their members in Reciprocity (the ability to make an application to be licensed to practice architecture in another state or jurisdiction.) Reciprocity is not guaranteed and some states such as California and Oregon to name a few require the applicant to take an additional exam and travel to the state to take the exam when their exam is offered. Alaska requires the completion in a course on Arctic Engineering. Just to clarify these exams are in additio n to the 9 part, 5 day ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) an applicant had to take to become an R.A. To learn more go to: http://www.ncarb.org/general/about.html

C.A.C.B. is an acronym for the Candian Architectural Certification Board. This is similar to NCARB but for Canada rather than the US. This acronym is provided to those architects who have been accepted by the Candian Architectural Certification Board. Once accpeted the memebre can apply for licensure in the Canadian Jurisdictions. To learn more go to http://www.cacb-ccca.ca