Join Michael and Emily for a free webinar exploring CSI® certifications. Learn how these credentials fit into your ARE or NCIDQ prep and can boost your architecture career while you’re already doing the work. Whether you’re in the middle of your licensing journey or just getting started, this webinar breaks down everything you need to know about earning real credentials before you finish the ARE.
This podcast is also available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
You Don’t Have Anything Until You’re Licensed
The biggest misconception people have about the ARE is that they can do this in six months.
The Young Architect Academy has been helping people finish their exams since 2015 and the reality is that:
It’s taking most people between 700 to 1,400 hours of studying and taking exams to complete the NCARB’s Architect Registration Examination.
But unfortunately until you pass that last exam, you have nothing to show for it.
No halfway credential.
No progress badge.
No certificate saying you’ve completed 4 out of 6 exams.
You could be five exams deep, hundreds of hours invested, and on paper you’re no different than someone who hasn’t started yet.
That’s always frustrated a lot of people. But what if you could pick up real, exam-based credentials while doing the work you’re already doing for the ARE?
CDT®: The Credential Hiding in Your ARE Prep
If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you might remember Episode 26 about why so many ARE candidates are getting CDT® certified. That episode caught a lot of attention in the architecture community from many AIA Leaders.
Here’s the quick version:
CDT® certification overlaps heavily with what you’re already studying for the ARE, especially the pro practice exams like PcM, PjM, and CE. If you’re preparing for or have already taken those exams, you’ve done about 80% of the work it takes to pass the CDT®.
Many of our ARE Boot Camp members typically study 30 to 60 hours for the CDT® and pass. Compare that to the 700 to 1,300 hours for the full ARE. We’re talking about a fraction of the effort for a real credential you can use right now.
The Bigger Picture: CSI® Certifications
CDT® isn’t the only certification CSI® offers. It’s actually the foundation for three other credentials.
Think of it like a hub and spoke system. CDT® is the hub at the center. The three advanced certifications branch out from there based on your role and interests:
CDT® (Construction Documents Technologist) is the foundation certification designed for everyone in the AEC industry. Owners, architects, engineers, contractors, product reps. It creates a common baseline of knowledge so all these different teams can communicate and work together effectively.
CCCA® (Certified Construction Contract Administrator) takes a deep dive into construction administration. About 75% of what’s on the CCCA® overlaps with the CE exam. If you’ve studied for CE and you’ve got your CDT®, this one is low-hanging fruit.
CCS® (Certified Construction Specifier) focuses on writing and developing specification documents. Even if you never become a dedicated spec writer, this knowledge is incredibly helpful for anyone creating construction documents.
CCPR® (Certified Construction Product Representative) is designed for the product rep industry. It teaches reps how to be an asset instead of an annoyance, bringing real value to architects, contractors, and owners.
What We’re Covering in the Free Webinar
On January 29th at 7pm Eastern, Emily and Michael are hosting a free webinar where we’ll break all of this down:
- CDT® explained in detail: the why, the when, the how
- The full CSI® certification landscape and how it connects to your architecture license path
- Our CDT® success secrets developed from helping thousands pass the ARE and CDT®
- The CSI® timeline so you don’t miss early bird pricing
- How to study efficiently for the CDT®
- Live Q&A to get your specific questions answered
If you cant make it live, the webinar will be recorded and will still be available on the website AFTER January 29th.
Bonus: Everyone who attends gets invited to a free study session where we’ll go through the 8 CDT® domains together and work through practice questions as a group.
Already have your CDT®? This webinar is also our introduction to the new CCCA® 101 course we just finished building.
Register Now
This webinar is for anyone who wants to understand how CSI® certifications fit into their career. Whether you’re CDT®-curious, already certified and wondering what’s next, or just want to make an informed decision about your professional development.
Sign up for the free CDT® webinar on January 29th and get the clarity you need.
Can’t make it live or its after Jan 29th? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording.
