Tag Archives: California

Prescott Reavis (2020)

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In Memorium
By Katherine Williams

Prescott Reavis never wrote his story for ArchStories. He was one who was on my list but it never got done. Prescott passed away suddenly on February 8. I wanted to honor him here because he is one of the originals to support this project.

Prescott and a group of friends are the reason ArchStories exists. Back in 2007, a group of us connected at the AIA conference and challenged each other to get licensed by the next year. Prescott was not in attendance but he quickly became one of the first members on the email list and later Yahoo group thread. It took most of us more than one year to finish. However, that email thread kept us updating and encouraging each other along the journey to finish the exams.

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Rachel Bascombe (2017)

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Keep Your Momentum Going
By Rachel Bascombe
Licensed 2017

As early as a freshman in college, I knew my first goal after graduating was to get my license. This realization came after a conversation during my internship at Devrouax and Purnell Architects, Summer 2011. I will never forget the conversation I had with Project Manager Danny Williams. We talked about licensure versus a master’s degree and he emphasized getting licensed as the next step unless I planned to teach soon. He helped me understand the value getting licensed was toward my career goals.

After graduating college and starting my professional career at CO Architects, I went after my LEED accreditation first. Once I was successful in passing the LEED AP exam, I built up enough confidence to begin testing for my architecture license. I knew it would be a strenuous journey because to achieve your license in California you have to pass all 8 ARE 4.0 exams as well as the California Supplemental Exam. Thankfully, I was financially supported during this journey by CO Architects and had the support of my family, friends, and coworkers. Continue reading →

R. Steven Lewis (1984)

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The Architectural Licensing Exam: A Right Of Passage
by R. Steven Lewis
Licensed 1984

As a young teenager, years before the thought of pursuing a career for myself as an architect entered my mind, I can recall the day when my father received the results of his licensing exam in the mail.

NYC SkylineMonths earlier, my mom, along with me, my brother and sister drove into Manhattan at the end of the final day of the then week-long exam to pick him up from the Coliseum at 59th Street and Columbus Avenue. The International Style structure designed by Leon and Lionel Levy with John B. Peterkin Embury and Eggers & Higgins, was built in 1954 and stood as one of New York City’s most well known monuments until it was demolished in 2000. Continue reading →