Prospective Associate AIA Members

A non-licensed person participating in career responsibilities recognized by the California Architects Board as constituting credit towards licensure, a holder of a professional degree in architecture, or a faculty member in a university architecture program is eligible to become an Associate Member of The American Institute of Architects. As the American Institute of Architects is a three-tiered organization, when you join the AIA, you will automatically become a member of all three components - National, State and Chapter. As an Associate, you may not use the initials "AIA" alone, but must write out the title “Associate AIA” when referring to membership status.

Your application will be processed first by the Chapter. Click here to download application.  After approval, it will be forwarded immediately to AIA's National Office in Washington, DC where final processing usually takes up to four weeks. When this process is completed you will receive a letter from the National President officially welcoming you to the AIA.

DUES - RENEWING MEMBERS:

* NOTE — New and Reinstating Associate category prospective members pay tiered dues for state (AIACC) dues: $12 - 1st year; $38 - 2nd year; and $67 for the 3rd year.

Includes price of admission to Chapter meetings (excluding dinner meetings) and professional development seminars.

DUES - NEW AND REINSTATING MEMBERS:

Dues are pro-rated by quarter based on the date of your application. If you apply during the 4th quarter, your dues cover 15 months of membership - the last 3 months of the current year plus the entire following year.

Payment for the total amount must accompany your application submittal sent to the Chapter Office.

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WHAT YOUR ASSOCIATE AIA MEMBERSHIP HAS TO OFFER

A.R.E. Study Group: The study group generally meets twice a week in the evenings to study for the Architectural Registration Exam. The meetings are informal with a lot of interaction between the participants. Unless otherwise notified on the latest PDF schedule, the group meets at the AIASCV office from 6:30-8 pm, and studies for one portion of the test. It's a great way to prepare for the licensing exam.

Study Center: The study center is available at the AIASCV office where there is a set of Archiflash cards and reference materials.

AIA Web Site: The web site contains valuable information on licensing, and monthly chapter events information, as well as a job board with job openings available in the Bay Area and a place to post your résumé and mock exams.

Mentorship and IDP/CIDP: The National IDP (Intern Development Program) and California's overlay CIDP are mandatory and require a participant to have a mentor. The AIA can help you find a mentor.

Charrettes: The most recent was East Meadow Circle in Palo Alto and was a great success. Charrettes offer members a unique opportunity to interact with local community groups and planning departments in a collaborative effort to generate ideas and dvelop tangible design strategies to improve the neighborhoods involved.

Social Events: In addition to the social networking hour at monthly chapter events, there are other social opportunities available through the AIA. In recognition of the need for a recurring social venue for our Emerging Professionals, Associates, and Basic Members, the chapter has begun sponsoring Emerging Design Professionals' Socials — EDPS for short. These are informal, fun, happy hour type events that give us a chance to mix and mingle with people who share our interest in architecture and the related design professions. Past events have been held at The Tied House in downtown San Jose. Plans are currently being made for events in 2007 so be sure to check emails from the chapter office and look for the flyer in the TRACINGS newsletter.

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A Title: As an Associate member, you are allowed to the use of the title "Associate AIA" after your name. This acknowledges that you are part of the AIA which is recognized throughout the world.

Tours: Many of the monthly chapter meetings offer tours which are a great way to see what other architects are doing.

Lectures: Interesting speakers are planned throughout the year.

Career Development: There is the web site job board but there is nothing better than networking for career development and the possibility of meeting a future employer at chapter meetings. Take advantage of all that the 600+ AIA members in our chapter have to share.

Knowledge Communities: Groups of members who share common challenges and opportunities or a passion for a given topic, and who collaborate to deepen their undersanding of that topic through ongoing learning and knowledge sharing. You can join Knowledge Communities by entering their selections on the annual renewal form or by calling AIA Information Central at 800-242-3837. See http://www.aia.org/nav_kc for more information.

Discounts: You get discounts on contract documents, puchases from the AIA bookstore, and car rental agencies, just to name a few.

AIA California Council and National AIA: Your membership includes the publications from the State and National AIA. Being involved at AIACC events or at the National Level will give you a voice in the architectural community.

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Architectural Record: Your membership includes a subscription to Architectural Record Magazine.

TRACINGS: Your membership includes a subscription to the monthly TRACINGS Newsletter, the publication of the AIA Santa Clara Valley Chapter and an excellent resource to keep informed of all that your chapter has to offer.

Meeting New People: Through your membership you get a chance to meet people of all ages that share your same interest in architecture and the allied professions. AIA friendships are well known to last a lifetime.

There is more to the life of an emerging professional than going to your workstation each day. The AIA can help you to develop a rich and exciting professional life. We hope that this has helped to renew your interest in your membership, and if there is anything specific here you would like to know more about, give the chapter a call. All of the programs require some volunteer work from people to make them happen, so if there is anything that sparks your interest, get involved.