Are you wondering about the meanings of all those letters after your
architect's name? Here is a list of common letters and names, and
what they mean.
AIA: American Institute of Architects. The use of this
acronym implies that the architect is registered and licensed.
AIT: Architect in Training. In some states, this acronym
is used to indicate an individual who has completed all training
requirements and some of the Architectural Registration Examinations,
but is not yet registered to practice as an architect.
Architect: Professional title that means the individual is
licensed to practice architecture in a given state.
Decorator or Interior Decorator: Unregulated titles used
interchangeably with interior designer in areas where interior designers
remain unregulated.
Interior Designer: Sometimes used interchangeably with interior
decorator, but more often used as a lawful designation of a person who
is registered and licensed to perform interior design services.
NCARB: Acronym for National Council of Architectural
Registration Boards. If an architect is registered with NCARB, it
means he or she is licensed to practice architecture in at least one
state. Sometimes, the architect can qualify for reciprocal
registration in other states.
RA: Acronym for registered architect. These letters may
only be used by licensed professionals.
RLA: An acronym used for registered landscape architect, used
only for a person or firm licensed to practice landscape architecture
services.
SARA: Society of American Registered Architects.
Membership is open to registered and licensed architects in all states
of the USA.
TF: Stands for Taliesin Fellow, and means that the person is
a current or former member of the Taliesin Fellowship who apprenticed at
Taliesin between 1932 and 1986 or graduated from the Frank Lloyd Wright
School of Architecture.