Intern Development Program

The Intern Development Program (IDP) is a comprehensive training program created to ensure that interns in the architecture profession gain the knowledge and skills required for the independent practice of architecture.

The IDP was created jointly in the 1970s by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is administered by NCARB.

As a professional membership organization, the AIA supports the IDP through the coordinator program, the mentorship program, supplementary education activities, and the IDP Advisory Committee.

All of the program requirements are outlined in the IDP Guidelines. Interns and supervisors should become familiar with the IDP Guidelines and the IDP Supervisor Guidelines.

Learn about IDP 2.0 

For the latest news about the IDP, read NCARB's IDP e-News.

IDP Updates

• Updated IDP Guidelines and IDP Supervisor Guidelines (January 2010)
• On 1 January 2010, training units became training hours. One training unit equals eight training hours. [more]
• On 1 January 2010, phase two of IDP 2.0 went into effect. Changes include a new definition of "direct supervision," mentor signature on EPC activities and exercises, and the conversion to training hours. Read the November IDP e-News for more information. 
• The Six-Month Rule will go into effect for all interns at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on 1 July 2010. The Six-Month Rule is already in effect for interns that established an NCARB Record on or after 1 July 2009. [more]
• IDP supplementary education can now be submitted through the e-EVR.
  
• NCARB will stop accepting paper verification forms for the Intern Development Program on 1 July 2009.
  
• NCARB Announces Major Improvements to the IDP.
• Six-Month Rule goes into effect for interns that begin an NCARB on or after 1 July 2009
  
• NCARB Launches Electronic Reporting for IDP