Applying for the ACHA Board Certificate

The American College of Healthcare Architects encourages all qualified professionals to apply for membership. Interested candidates should review both the examination application and the candidate handbook available under this tab of the website.

The diagram on this page describes the four-step process required to earn the Board Certificate in Healthcare Architecture. The Basic Criteria for ACHA Certification are:

• Professional degree in architecture from an accredited program.
• A valid license to practice architecture in the US, its territories or Canada.
• A minimum 5 years as a practicing architect and at least 3 years in the specialty of healthcare architecture.
• Verification of significant roles on substantial healthcare projects with a portfolio of work including letters of recommendation.
• Written examination on the specialized requirements of healthcare architecture
• If a candidate possesses the experience and credentials necessary, the review and examination process should not be difficult. ACHA recommends, whenever possible, that new candidates follow the basic path outlined in the box diagram to the right.

The completed application, references and portfolio are provided to the Certification Committee, one original and one CD-Rom in a .pdf format so three individuals may review the submission. If the Certification Committee approves, the candidate will be admitted to sit for the ACHA Exam, which is offered three times a year, in March, June and September. If the Committee is unsure of the candidate's credentials, they may request an oral interview.

Candidates who successfully complete the ACHA Examination will have their names forwarded to the Regents, in order to be formally Board Certified as a specialist in healthcare architecture.