2017 EP–FRIENDLY FIRM AWARD
APPLICATION
AIA Emerging Professional definition:
Emerging professional include architecture students, recent graduates, and newly licensed
Architects who have been licensed within the last ten years. Emerging Professionals may be
referred to as “EPs” as short hand.
Goals:
AIA TN would like to recognize Tennessee firms who offer great support and opportunities to
their Emerging Professionals and to suggest more ways that all firms can elevate the level of EP
support state-wide. We hope this process helps foster dialogue within firms and communities
and across the state to create new and innovative policies and opportunities to support and
develop the future members of our profession.
Guiding principles are
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support and resources for EPs attaining licensure
equitable compensation and benefits for EPs
professional and personal development opportunities for EPs
diversity and equal opportunity for EPs
How it works:
Based on review of the following application by the a jury of emerging professionals and firm
leaders, we will present a certification of EP Friendly Firm to applicants who demonstrate
consistence commitment to the support and development of emerging professionals in their
firms and their community. If particular excellence is exhibited with one firm, we will award one
“Outstanding EP-Friendly Firm.” These awards will be presented at the AIA Tennessee
Conference on Architecture. Firms qualifying for this status may use the AIA TN EP-Friendly
Firm logo on promotional materials to showcase their commitment to Emerging Professionals.
The plan is for new applications to be accepted each year, and for previously qualifying firms to
update any changed information each year for renewal of status. Judging of applications will be
by a jury comprised of members of the TN EP Committee and firm leaders from across the
state. Firm identities will be anonymous during evaluation. The last page that contains the
Statement of Commitment will be omitted from the package presented to the jury.
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
The following application is to be filled out together by one firm principal and one EP. Both must
sign the application for it to be valid. Applications in the form of a PDF file not exceeding 5 MB
are to be e-mailed to [email protected] by 5:00 PM CST on Friday July 14.
There is no monetary fee to apply: we only ask for your dedication to this effort.
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YOUR FIRM MAKE-UP:
This is to help us understand the cross-section of your firm. These answers do not contribute or
deduct from your ability to qualify for this award. Each person is to be counted once. Include
part-time and full-time employees.
1. People
_____ # of Architects licensed less than 10 years
_____ # of recent architecture graduates (not yet licensed but in pursuit)
_____ # of student interns
_____ # of EP’s (total of three lines above)
_____ # of Architects who are firm principals
_____ # of Architects licensed 10 years or more (not already counted as principals)
_____ # of technical support (education in technical field)
_____ # of firm members in a related field (engineering, interior design, etc…)
_____ # of firm members in marketing, accounting, and clerical
_____ # of firm members in something other – please describe___________________
_____ TOTAL # OF FIRM MEMBERS
_____ % OF EP’s IN FIRM (# OF EP’s divided by TOTAL # OF FIRM MEMBERS)
2. Location: We are located in an (circle one) Urban Suburban Rural
area.
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ATTAINING LICENSURE:
1. How many EP’s at your firm are eligible for enrollment in the AXP - Architectural
Experience Program (NCARB’s program formerly known as IDP)? __________
How many are enrolled? _________ How many are currently taking exams?__________
2. Does your firm provide a mentor to help with the AXP process? (circle one)
Yes No
3. Does your firm encourage licensure candidates to establish an AXP mentor outside the
office as suggested by NCARB? (circle one) Yes No
4. Does your firm provide opportunities for licensure candidates to earn AXP experience
hours in all 6 experience areas through exposure to projects at various stages? (circle
one) Yes No
5. Does your firm cover any of the cost of NCARB fees? These fees include the application
fee and/or maintenance fees through the completion of the ARE. (circle one) Yes No
If yes, what percentage of costs do you cover? _____________________________
6. What is your firm’s policy for time taken off to test for licensing exams?
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7. What is your firm’s policy for the cost of licensing exams? What is the policy if an exam
is not passed?
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8. What is your firm’s policy for offering study materials and online prep resources? Do you
encourage or compensate for participation in study groups or prep courses?
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COMPENSATION / BENEFITS:
1. Does your firm cover any of the cost of AIA dues? (circle one)
Yes No
If yes, what percentage of costs do you cover? _____________________________
2. Are health insurance and other benefits of EP’s equal to those of other firm members
(other benefits may include retirement plans, paid sick leave, paid vacation time…)?
(circle one) Yes No
3. Please describe your overtime / flex time policy.
______________________________________________________________________
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4. Are there any student interns working at your office without pay (circle one) Yes No
5. Does licensure result in a direct increase in salary or a bonus? (circle one) Yes No
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:
1. How many career fairs has your firm attended in the past year? __________
2. How many of your current employees were hired as a result of a connection made at a
career fair?_____
3. How does your firm encourage a healthy work/life balance?
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4. How does your firm encourage diverse experience for EP’s in all project areas and
phases (predesign, code evaluation, schematic design, construction administration,
specification writing)?
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5. How does your firm provide the opportunity for EP’s to remain included in projects
through all phases of development, documentation, and administration?
______________________________________________________________________
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6. Does your firm provide opportunities (time off and reimbursement) for conventions,
conferences, or other continuing education events? (circle one) Yes No
If yes, please provide examples:
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7. Does your firm encourage participation in and/or provide opportunities for community
groups, professional groups, or design organizations? (circle one) Yes No
If yes, please provide examples:
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8. Does your firm provide leadership opportunities or leadership training opportunities
within your firm? (circle one) Yes No
If yes, please provide examples:
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9. In what ways do EP’s inform the general values and culture of your firm?
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DIVERSITY / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
1. Of the EP’s in your firm, what percent are women? _________%
2. Of the EP’s in your firm, what percent are a racial or ethnic minority? __________%
3. Of the leadership in your firm, what percent are women? _________%
4. Of the leadership in your firm, what percent are a racial or ethnic minority? _________%
INNOVATION BONUS:
Describe below ways that your firm excels in support of EP’s that are not already covered in
previous portions of this application (use an additional sheet if necessary). You are also invited
to provide supporting documentation, EP resources, firm policies, Kcase studies… etc. Please
include these with this application as a single file, not to exceed 5 MB:
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STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
By signing below, we commit to providing benefits as outlined above in order to promote the
professional development of the EP’s employed by our firm. If at any time the status of these
benefits changes, we agree to notify the AIA Tennessee EP Committee. We understand that by
signing this statement of commitment, we are giving permission to the AIA Tennessee Chapter
to identify our firm name as an “AIA TN EP-Friendly Firm” on AIA promotional materials.
____________________________________________________________________________
FIRM NAME
____________________________________________________________________________
FIRM ADDRESS
____________________________________________________________________________
FIRM PRINCIPAL (SIGNATURE)
DATE
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FIRM PRINCIPAL (PRINTED NAME)
FIRM PRINCIPAL E-MAIL
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FIRM EP (SIGNATURE)
DATE
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FIRM EP (PRINTED NAME)
FIRM EP E-MAIL
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