I felt, I really need to update this section before someone asking what happened to this article.
Few things has changed, but the main idea still remain.
This article was posted during ARE(Architectural Registration Exam)3.0 and ARE 3.1
We are at ARE 4.0 already. What changed? Number of exam changed. It went from 9 to 7 now. Don't get excited too early, the content of the exam still remain fairly the same, it just got shuffled around.
Here is the link to understand in depth..
http://www.ncarb.org/en/Becoming-an-Arc ... asics.aspx
In the past, most of the States recognize IDP(Internship Development Program) as a training program and you must finish IPD before you can take the ARE. Now, in some States, you don't have to wait for the completion of the IPD to take the ARE. You can take the test and working on your IDP at the same time. You will be then be registered once you complete both IDP and ARE. The goal is the same but you can do both of these requirement at the same time, not one after another. Time saver, YES.
For people who is interested in the ARE, here is the link..
http://www.ncarb.org/ARE.aspx
There are so many confusing ways to become an registered architect or known as RA in U.S. I can't really describe them all, but if anyone has question about it, follow the thread post your question here, I'll do my best to answer them.