Join the AIA
Why join? The AIA, with over 70,000 members nationally, is the largest voice of the architectural community. We advocate at the national, state, and local levels for issues affecting the practice of architecture and work to educate the public on the important role of architects. At the local level, your membership keeps you connected with other local professionals, provides continuing education, and keeps you informed about local, state, and national issues.
Where do my dues go? Members of the AIA belong to the national chapter, a state chapter, and a local chapter. Your annual dues are divided among these chapters.
- At the national level, the AIA coordinates a wide-ranging set of services, including: maintaining continuing education manuscripts and continuing education standards, advocating for the profession at the federal level on governmental issues that affect architects, providing a large library of contract documents, creating knowledge communities and design awards, and hosting a national convention each year.
- At the state level, AIA Tennessee furthers the profession of architecture in Tennessee, with particular emphasis on educating the Tennessee General Assembly and other components of state government on the important role architects play in determining our state's quality of life. The state chapter monitors state legislation to ensure that architects have a voice in any bills that affect the profession in Tennessee. AIA Tennessee also coordinates an annual state convention which provides valuable continuing education and professional networking.
- At the local level, AIA Chattanooga keeps members of the architectural community connected through monthly chapter meetings and special events. We provide continuing education opportunities for our members. We collaborate with the state and national chapters to keep our members up to date on important events and initiatives. We raise funds for architecture scholarships and offer ARE study materials and financial help for intern architects as they become licensed. And we serve as a public face representing architects in our community at large.
How do I join? You can join the AIA simply by visiting www.aia.org, or click below to get an application. Contact Lisa Williams, Executive Secretary of AIA Chattanooga, at exec@aiachatt.org or 423-488-9900 if you have questions, or contact AIA National at 1-800-242-3837, option 2.
CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Architect. Individuals currently licensed to practice architecture in a U.S. state or territory. (Application here.)
Associate. Individuals not licensed to practice architecture, but who meet one of the following conditions. 1) Hold a professional degree in architecture; 2)Participate in carer responsibilities recognized by licensing authorities as constituting credit toward licensure; 3) Work under the supervision of an architect in a professional or technical capacity; 4) Serve as a faculty member in a university program in architecture. (Application here.)
International Associate. Individuals licensed to practice architecture in another country, but not the U.S. (Application here.)
Student. Students at UTC or UTK are welcome to join our chapter free of charge. (Contact Lisa Williams atexec@aiachatt.org for an application.)
New Graduate. Individuals who have graduated from an accredited school of architecture in the last 18 months may join the chapter free of charge. (Application here.)
Allied. Professionals in fields allied to architecture and who are licensed to practice their profession by the State of Tennessee A/E Board, including engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, general contractors, etc. (Contact Lisa Williams at exec@aiachatt.org for more information.)
Affiliate. Professionals representing vendors in the design and construction industry. (Contact Lisa Williams at exec@aiachatt.org for more information.)