Paths to Licensure

Paths to Licensure

This is a virtual event. Zoom log-in information will be emailed to registrants 24 hours in advance from events@aialosangeles.org. If you do not receive a confirmation 24 hours prior to the event, please email events@aialosangeles.org.

AIALA Committee: Practice

CES Learning Units: 1 LU

Achieving a license to practice architecture is a massive effort. After schooling, a candidate must clock months of experience under a licensed architect and then pass six national exams and one California exam. This panel of three licensed architects or in pursuit of licensure candidates will share their personal journeys to licensure, discuss how leadership can support candidates, examine pass rates, and share study plans. Overall this panel means to support and strengthen pathways to licensure while demystifying the process.

Presenters:

Lauren Coles, AIA – Senior Associate, CO Architects
Lauren Coles is a senior associate at CO Architects with over 15 years of experience partnering with higher education and healthcare clients to provide detailed coordination and design excellence. Lauren serves as licensing supervisor at CO, providing mentorship and guidance on the licensure process to the firm’s 160 members. She was featured on Building Design + Construction’s 2021 “40 under 40” list for her contribution to architecture. Lauren ran her first marathon at the age of 35, and enjoys hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor adventures with her dog, Ryder.

Barbara Aguirre – Project Coordinator, AC Martin
Barbara Aguirre has always had a passion for architecture. She attained a mechanical engineering degree from the University of California, Riverside, before pursuing a degree in architecture, to become more well-rounded in the future. Upon graduating from UCR, she got accepted into two master programs at the University of Southern California. Graduating from both at the same time, she paved the way to create the very first dual-degree program, between Architecture and Building Science at USC. She now works as a Project Coordinator at AC Martin in Los Angeles, working on large commercial projects, where she implements her engineering and sustainability knowledge. She is avidly pursuing licensure, which will now be financially possible thanks to the Paul W. Welch Jr ARE Scholarship, as well as AC Martin ARE program.

Sam Piper – BIM Lead, Criterion
Sam Piper graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelors of Architecture. He is originally from the Napa Valley and now resides in the city of Irvine. He spent the first few years in his career designing senior housing and multifamily residential, and eventually switched over to healthcare. He is now working as both a medical equipment planner and BIM Lead at Criterion for several healthcare projects throughout California. He utilized his AIA chapter in Orange County to make study groups as well as joined the ARE Bootcamp in order to complete the exams. He is certified under both LEED and EDAC and hopes to use his knowledge from completing the AREs to improve the quality and further develop the services of Criterion.

Matthew Trotter, AIA, NOMA – Associate, Cuningham
Matthew’s passion for uplifting communities and culture through thoughtful design has earned him respect and admiration in his firm and in the Architecture community. As a leader in Equity + Justice work, Matthew is inquisitive and channels his passion in a way that makes space for honest and meaningful dialog and outcomes. Matthew is a talented Designer who has worked on a variety of project types including hotels, corporate office spaces, places of worship, community centers and themed entertainment. After 7+ years of participating in the planning and execution of the Southern California Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architect’s Summer Camp, Matthew was elected the first Director of the Developing Professional Group at SoCalNOMA. Matthew was given the position based on his efforts in creating infrastructure to empower young minority design professionals to reach licensure through mentoring, educational seminars, study materials, and financial aid for exam costs.

Learning Objectives:
+ Participants will learn the process on how to become an architect.
+ Participants will learn test taking study tips.
+ Participants will learn how to support licensure at their office.
+ Participants will learn how to track and gain AXP experience.