1. Which membership type should I apply for?
2. How much does membership cost? Do I have to pay local, state and national dues?
3. What should I do if my membership lapses?
4. What should I do if my membership lapses due to a CES audit?
5. What is the process for rejoining the AIA?
6. How can I become more involved in the Chapter?
7. How do I transfer my membership from another chapter to AIA San Francisco?
8. I am an AIA/Assoc. AIA member at another chapter. Can I also be a part of AIA San Francisco?
9. I am an Allied/Affiliate member at another chapter. Can I also be a part of AIA San Francisco?
10. I don’t live/work in San Francisco or Marin county, but would like to join the AIA San Francisco chapter. Is this possible?
11. What are supplemental dues?
12. How do I become an Emeritus member?
13. I am currently an Assoc. AIA and have just received my license. How do I upgrade my membership to an Architect Member?

Which membership type should I apply for?

• Architect Member (AIA)

  Individuals licensed to practice architecture in a U.S. state or territory.



• Associate Member (Assoc. AIA)
  Assoc. AIA is open to individuals who meet one of the following criteria:
  • Recent graduate with a degree in architecture
  • Currently enrolled in the Intern Development Program (IDP) and working toward licensure
  • Currently work under the supervision of an architect or hold a degree in architecture
  • Faculty member in a university program in architecture


• Component Affiliate
  An AIA Architect or Associate member in good standing with another chapter who wants to take advantage of San Francisco & Marin county programs and discounts


• Emeritus
  Emeritus membership is available to any architect or associate member who has been a member of the AIA for 15 successive years and is either 70 years of age, or 60 years of age and fully retired, or is incapacitated and unable to work in the architecture profession. Emeritus members receive similar benefits as architect and associate members but will now have an emeritus status, without the customary membership fees.


• International Associate AIA
  Individuals who are licensed to practice architecture in a country other than the United States are eligible to become an international associate AIA member. International associate members may use the Intl Assoc. AIA credential with their name.


• Allied
  Individual working in a field related to architecture, such as design, engineering, construction, law, marketing, etc.


• Corporate Allied
  Firms related to the field of architecture, such as design, engineering, construction, law, marketing, etc., who wish to have the entire firm receive benefits of local membership.


• Student
  Students currently enrolled in an architecture or architecture-related program at a local institution.

How much does membership cost? Do I have to pay local, state and national dues?

Membership dues are based on your type of membership. AIA is a three tiered member organization. Individuals who join at the AIA or Assoc. AIA membership types belong to the National, State and local component chapter. Chapter assignment is based on the zip code of where they work or live. To see the current rates, please click here.

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What should I do if my membership lapses?

Your membership will lapse if your dues payment is not received by the National office prior to March 31. Individuals who were members prior to the current year must complete a membership application and pay the current year dues rates to “reinstate” their membership.

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What should I do if my membership lapses due to a CES audit?

To reinstate members must earn 9 LU/Hours after their September 30th deadline. If a member was on the audit list in the previous year, then the credits must be earned October 1 or later. If a member was audited over a year ago, the credits must be completed within 12 months prior to the date of applying for reinstatement. The reinstated member must also obtain 18 LU/Hours (including 8 hours of health, safety, and welfare issues 'HSW') during the current membership year for a total of 27 LU/Hours. AIA reinstatement does not necessarily meet state licensing requirements.

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What is the process for rejoining the AIA?

To rejoin, please fill out the appropriate member applications from Become a Member. Be sure to include your member ID number on the form.

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How can I become more involved in the Chapter?

AIA San Francisco committees address a wide variety of design, advocacy, and practice issues. Open to all, committee meetings and activities provide ample opportunities for networking, continuing education and community building. To learn more about the different types of committees, visit Committees for more information.

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How do I transfer my membership from another chapter to AIA San Francisco?

If you have moved into our chapter region and you are a member in good standing for this year, you may transfer your membership at no cost. For more information, please visit Transfer Your Membership for more information.

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I am an AIA/Assoc. AIA member at another chapter. Can I also be a part of AIA San Francisco?

An AIA Architect or Associate member in good standing with another chapter who wants to take advantage of San Francisco & Marin county programs and discounts can become a member of AIA San Francisco as a Component Affiliate.

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I am an Allied/Affiliate member at another chapter. Can I also be a part of AIA San Francisco?

Allied/Affiliate members of other chapters (individuals working in a field related to architecture, such as design, engineering, construction, law, marketing, etc.) can become a member of AIA San Francisco as a Allied or Corporate Allied Member.

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I don’t live/work in San Francisco or Marin county, but would like to join the AIA San Francisco chapter. Is this possible?

If do not live or work in San Francisco or Marin County, download the Out of Chapter Form and contact your local chapter to discuss what will best suit your professional needs. Note that permission to join another chapter is not always granted.

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What are supplemental dues?

AIA member firms are responsible for paying additional dues for their nonmember staff when a Principal or Owner is an active AIA level member. These dues do not apply to Allied firms, or firms in which the Principal is an Associate AIA member. Supplemental dues will be reflected on the invoice of the primary AIA member of the firm. Firm principals/owners will not be assessed supplemental dues until their 2nd year of membership. 

• Licensed Architects: $240/person

Nonmembers

• Technical Staff: $160/person

Qualified for Associate Membership, but nonmembers. For example, CAD draftspersons or other project-billable staff doing architectural work.

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How do I become an Emeritus member?

Emeritus membership is available to any architect or associate member who has been a member of the AIA for 15 successive years and is either 70 years of age, or 60 years of age and fully retired, or is incapacitated and unable to work in the architecture profession. Emeritus members receive similar benefits as architect and associate members but will now have an emeritus status, without the customary membership fees. To apply for Emeritus membership, please fill out the application here.

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I am currently an Assoc. AIA and have just received my license. How do I upgrade my membership to an Architect Member?

To change your membership from Assoc. AIA to AIA, click here to download the application.

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