Registered vs. Unregistered: What You Really Need to Know in Your First Architecture Job
You’ve landed your first job in an architecture firm (yay, you!). The celebratory Instagram post has been made, your office plant is thriving, and you’ve even figured out the coffee machine. But as the days go by, a new layer of confusion sets in.
Whether people are registered architects, interns, or unlicensed designers—how much does it actually matter in your day-to-day job?
This isn’t just architectural jargon. The difference between being registered and unregistered shapes your career path, salary, responsibilities, and legal accountability.
So, whether you're planning to get licensed or not, this is the no-BS breakdown you need to understand exactly where you stand and where you can be headed.
What Does It Mean to Be a Registered Architect?
A registered architect, also called a licensed architect, is someone who has completed a specific combination of education, experience, and exams and has been officially recognized by a licensing body (like NCARB in the U.S. or PRC through PRBoA in the Philippines).
To call yourself a registered architect, you need to:
Complete a recognized professional degree in architecture (typically a B.Arch or M.Arch from an accredited program)
Finish an apprenticeship program (AXP or Architectural Experience Program in the U.S.)
Pass all sections of the licensing examination (ARE or Architect Registration Examination in the U.S. and ALE or Architect Licensure Examination in the Philippines)
Apply for and be granted a license from your local architectural board
Once you're registered, you earn the legal right to:
Call yourself an “architect” (not just a “designer” or “intern”)
Stamp and seal drawings
Take full legal responsibility for projects
Run your own practice (if you want to)
In many places, calling yourself an architect without being licensed is actually illegal. You can get fined or penalized for it.
What It Means to Be Unregistered in an Architecture Firm
Being unregistered doesn’t mean you’re not skilled. It just means you haven’t gone through the licensure process yet (or maybe you don’t plan to at all). Most people start out unregistered after graduation and work under the supervision of a licensed architect while gaining experience.
Common job titles for unregistered staff:
Architectural Designer
Architectural Associate
Architectural Assistant
Architectural Technologist (depending on qualifications)
The title use varies by state or province and may be restricted. Also, note that even if you’re doing the same work as someone licensed, you legally can’t claim that title unless you’ve gone through the formal process.
Additionally, being unregistered requires supervision from a licensed and registered architect. You can be tasked to:
Produce construction drawings
Coordinate with consultants
Participate in design development
Have limited client-facing responsibilities
What you can’t do until you’re licensed:
Stamp drawings
Take legal responsibility for a project
Lead a project without oversight
Let’s say there’s a site issue. If you’re unregistered, you’ll usually defer to the registered architect to make the final call. If you’re licensed? The buck stops with you.
Licensed architects also typically manage teams and coordinate across disciplines, although you can always avoid management positions.
Is the Licensure Process Worth It?
Getting licensed is a grind. It takes years to gather experience and pass the exam. For AXP, you’re required to have 3,740 hours of experience across various categories before needing to pass the ARE.
Similarly for ALE, you’re required two years of diversified architectural experience (DAE) before you can take the exam. It can also be tedious to fill out your logbook or online record of your experience. But for many, it’s 100% worth it.
Is it worth it financially? According to salary surveys, registered architects in the U.S. often make $10,000–$30,000 more per year than their unregistered peers in the same role. And that gap grows over time.
In the Philippines, you can expect a salary between ₱20,000 to over ₱50,000 per month if you’re a licensed employee.
Is it for everyone? Not necessarily. Some architectural grads carve out amazing careers in project management, development, or interiors without ever getting licensed. The key is knowing what you want and choosing intentionally.
How Firms Treat Registered vs. Unregistered Staff
Now let’s talk about firm dynamics. Whether we like it or not, being licensed often carries weight when it comes to promotions and leadership roles. Registered team members often:
Lead projects
Sit in on high-level strategy or hiring meetings
Negotiate higher salaries
Have more influence in firm direction
Unregistered staff might:
Stay in support roles longer
Need more supervision
Be passed over for leadership despite talent
That said, your skill, attitude, and communication style can take you very far, licensed or not. There are plenty of unlicensed designers running circles around licensed ones when it comes to creativity, client relationships, or project efficiency.
Pro Tip: If you’re not licensed yet, ask about your firm’s support. Will they cover exam fees? Give you paid study time? Assign mentors? These perks can make a huge difference.
How to Advocate for Yourself While Unregistered
Whether you plan to pursue licensure or not, you need to stand up for your growth and your value. Here's how:
Ask for exposure: Say yes to site visits, consultant coordination, and project meetings.
Use your title accurately: Don’t call yourself an architect if you’re not licensed, but don’t undersell yourself either.
Request mentorship: Ask to shadow licensed team members or get feedback on your work.
Negotiate with confidence: Know what your contributions are worth even without a stamp.
Choose Your Own Adventure (But Choose It With Your Eyes Open)
Here’s the truth: not everyone needs to get licensed. And not everyone who is licensed ends up doing what they love.
What matters most is that you understand what being registered vs. unregistered actually means, so you’re not stuck in a role that’s holding you back from what you really want.
Whether you’re on the path to licensure, taking a break from exams, or choosing to build your career in other ways, own your journey.
Just make sure you’re not floating along by default. Choose your path on purpose.
