Architectural Job Titles

As part of a licensed profession, architectural job titles are strictly regulated by state licensing boards.

Architectural Job Titles in Massachusetts

Because architects are licensed professionals, their associated job titles in Massachusetts are strictly regulated by the Massachusetts Commonwealth Board of Registration of Architects (CBRA). Key points on the use of architectural job titles in Massachusetts include the following:

  • Architects must be licensed. Persons using a job title with the term "architect"–or any derivative of it–must be licensed, with an exception for the specific title "Intern Architect."
  • Out-of-state licensure is insufficient. Architects who are licensed only outside of Massachusetts may use architectural job titles, but they must specify where they are licensed to provide services, and may not provide services in Massachusetts until licensed to do so.
  • Individuals, not firms, are accountable. Because licenses pertain to specific persons, individual employees–not their firms–are responsible for adhering to licensing regulations. Employees should work with their firms to ensure that all representations of their job titles correspond appropriately to their licensure status.

Resources and References

The following resources provide additional detail:

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AIA Massachusetts Memorandum

Use of Titles ‘Architect’ and ‘Architectural Designer’ and Similar Terms and Signing Contracts for Architectural Services

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BSA News: What's in a Title? A Lot, Apparently

Those in the architecture profession who use the word architect or a variation of it in their professional titles must be licensed to do so. Failing to understand this has legal consequences. Here’s what you need to know.

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Massachusetts Commonwealth Board of Registration of Architects

The Board of Registration of Architects protects the public through regulation of the practice and the title of Architect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accordance with the statutes.

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