Becoming a Plans Examiner but still want to get my Architect's license

[pahlessa]

I've been working at a small firm since I graduated (2.5 years) and it's time for a change, I love my boss and the work we do but there are a few reasons that encouraged me to go and search for other jobs.

1. Pay: I haven't gotten a raise or bonus in the past year, even though I have been doing significantly more work than others. I draw full construction plans, get permits, schedule inspections, and I'm also the IT guy in the office.
2. Peers: I hate one of my coworkers. After she joined I just don't want to be at the office anymore, and my job is fully on-site. I hate her work ethic and her attitude, she has no self-awareness and treats clients with no respect. The first few months of her working here she got in a verbal fight with one of the clients in front of the whole office. She asks stupid questions without trying to find out the answer on her own first. When my boss tries to teach her, she argues back and thinks she is correct. And my boss is still looking past that because he's a nice guy...
3. Work-Life Balance: I work around 10 projects at a time from CD to CM. I am eager to start studying for my ARE exam but there is just no time for me to do so. The company also provides no support for licensure.

I might be getting an opportunity to work as a plans examiner for a private company, it is not a huge pay bump but is enough. My current job probably won't be able to pay me that rate. It will also be hybrid, mostly remote. I was initially looking for a gov't position but they are not very lenient with hiring someone without plan check experience. I think this will be a good opportunity for me to learn about CD and building codes, which can benefit my path to licensure. But would love some input.

Will this position benefit me in getting my architect's license? Or should I ride it out until I find another designer job or a gov't plan checking job? I'm just afraid because it's my first big career switch since I graduated. And even though I know my current company will always take me back if I want to return, I really do not want to be here because of my coworker lol...

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

As licensed architect (40+ years) and a licensed building official (30+ years) currently working primarily as a municipal plans examiner, I would have to say that the position you are contemplating is probably not a great idea if you wish to pursue the architect's license. Most importantly, as I understand the Intern Development Program, you can't participate unless you are working in an architecture firm under the direct supervision of a licensed architect. A private plan review service won't be able to provide that environment. Even if they employ a licensed architect in some capacity, your work will be limited to reviewing plans. You won't be able to rotate through the several areas of responsibility and experience that the Intern Development Program calls for.

 

[pahlessa]

As licensed architect (40+ years) and a licensed building official (30+ years) currently working primarily as a municipal plans examiner, I would have to say that the position you are contemplating is probably not a great idea if you wish to pursue the architect's license. Most importantly, as I understand the Intern Development Program, you can't participate unless you are working in an architecture firm under the direct supervision of a licensed architect. A private plan review service won't be able to provide that environment. Even if they employ a licensed architect in some capacity, your work will be limited to reviewing plans. You won't be able to rotate through the several areas of responsibility and experience that the Intern Development Program calls for.

I completed all my hours, all I need now is to study and start my exam. Do you think the job will help me while I study for my exam? I see this as a temporary/transition job until I get enough experience for a city position and for me to study for my licensure exam.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

If you have completed all the IDP requirements (I thought you hadn't, since you wrote that the firm doesn't provide any support toward licensure), then a short gig as a plans examiner may be useful preparation for the ALE. I can't be very specific, because I passed the exam in 1974 and it has changed dramatically in the 50 years since then. What being a plans examiner will offer you is (candidly) a lot of exposure to how NOT to prepare construction documents. Unless you part of the universe is different from where I am, you'll see that many architects don't pay much attention to codes, and they don't understand what

... shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, ...

means. Working as a plans examiner won't help prepare you for the design aspects of the ALE, and probably won't be of much help preparing you for the portions pertaining to specifications (if that's even included in the ALE today), but it will give you an appreciation of what's entailed in actually demonstrating code compliance through the construction documents.

Suggestion: See if you can score a copy of the ICC Plan Review form for the IBC (any year will be okay). That will show you the scope of what a proper plan review should cover. It's lengthy -- it's not a 2-page document. I don't know how many agencies actually use the form but, whether or not they use it, they are legally required to check everything on the form. If you look at that and don't think you're prepared to dive that deep into plans on a regular basis, then working as a plans examiner may not be a good fit for you.

 

[rktect 1]

You completed ALL of your hours in 2.5 years when the average is 10 years? These were reported to NCARB after being signed off by your mentor, a licensed architect?

Ok, well, sit for the exams then. Should not take you long to pass these if you managed to get everything completed in 2.5 years. Then do plan reviews and start studying for the ICC exams. I would expect you to be a Master Code Professional within 4 years, building Official within 5 years.

 

[Yikes]

You completed ALL of your hours in 2.5 years when the average is 10 years? These were reported to NCARB after being signed off by your mentor, a licensed architect?

Ok, well, sit for the exams then. Should not take you long to pass these if you managed to get everything completed in 2.5 years. Then do plan reviews and start studying for the ICC exams. I would expect you to be a Master Code Professional within 4 years, building Official within 5 years.

If I recall correctly, you can qualify for an architect's license with a 5 year degree and the equivalent of 3 years of internship experience.
If you interned while in school, or if you were putting more than 40 hrs/week after graduation, then 2.5 years is entirely possible.

Pahlessa, I know the labor market for architectural employment in California has softened somewhat, between the high interest rates, the lackluster commercial/office/retail sector, and the government generally doing everything it can to drive away the middle class towards red states.
But if you have any combination of multifamily experience, Revit experience, code experience or construction experience, you should be quite employable at a number of firms in the larger Bay Area.

 

[rktect 1]

If I recall correctly, you can qualify for an architect's license with a 5 year degree and the equivalent of 3 years of internship experience.
If you interned while in school, or if you were putting more than 40 hrs/week after graduation, then 2.5 years is entirely possible.

Yea,....... no. Not very likely (as-if) to get all categories knocked out in reality/actuality in 2.5 years on the level.

Possible? As in this guy is the 0.02%? I'm not going to answer that.

Can he/she have the hours required, sure, but not within all categories. Ever.

<Waiter! Check please.>