1.

Home
2. Home & Garden
3. Architecture

Architecture
Top of Form
architecture

Search
Bottom of Form

• Architecture
• Your House
• Great Buildings
• Public Spaces
• Share
• Print Print

Top of Form
18/1a9 http://architecture http://architecture +:gs::architecture

Free Architecture Newsletter!

1 architecture 12 0

Sign Up
Bottom of Form

Discuss in my Forum

How does one become a professional home

designer?
By Jackie Craven, About.com Guide
See More About:
• architecture careers
• house styles
• architecture schools
• architecture lesson plans
Sponsored Links
Hydraform Brick MachinesAfrica's leading building systems 600-15000 per shift, visit us
todaywww.hydraform.com
Cisco CCNA Certification95% Pass Rate. Book CCNA @ 500 $ Incl
Exam/Hotel/Meals/Training Morewww.bookmybootcamp.com/CCNA-Exam
Download ArchiCAD 14Learn Building Information Modeling Experience the future of 3D
design!myArchicad.com/experienceBim
Sponsored Links
Hydraform Brick MachinesAfrica's leading building systems 600-15000 per shift, visit us
todaywww.hydraform.com
Cisco CCNA Certification95% Pass Rate. Book CCNA @ 500 $ Incl
Exam/Hotel/Meals/Training Morewww.bookmybootcamp.com/CCNA-Exam
Download ArchiCAD 14Learn Building Information Modeling Experience the future of 3D
design!myArchicad.com/experienceBim
Sponsored Links
Pursue Your Career in WebMaster the tools needed to become a creative innovator in Web
Designingwww.firstlincoln.net
Cursos Microsoft - GREENMCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCP, 2º Chance Mostre que você SABE !
www.green.com.br
Sponsored Links
Pursue Your Career in WebMaster the tools needed to become a creative innovator in Web
Designingwww.firstlincoln.net
Cursos Microsoft - GREENMCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCP, 2º Chance Mostre que você SABE !
www.green.com.br
Question: How does one become a professional home designer?
Answer: If you dream of designing houses and other small buildings, but don't want to spend the
years it takes to become a registered architect, then you may want to explore career opportunities
in the field of Building Design. A Professional Building Designer, or Home Designer, specializes
in designing light-frame buildings such as single family homes and agricultural buildings. A
Professional Building Designer may also design decorative facades for larger buildings.
Unlike architects, Professional Building Designers are not legally required to pass exams or
receive special licenses. However, a designer who carries the title "Certified Professional
Building Designer" or "CPBD" has completed training courses, built a portfolio, and passed a
difficult exam.
Training Courses
Your first step in becoming a Professional Building Designer is to enroll in training courses in
architecture or structural engineering. You may take classes at an accredited school of
architecture, at a vocational school, or even through a correspondence school. Seek courses and
training that will give you a broad background in construction, problem solving, and
architectural design. In lieu of academic training, you may study architecture or structural
engineering on the job, under the supervision of a building designer, architect, or structural
engineer.
To find courses, workshops, seminars, and other training programs, see the listing of Official
CEU Providers on the Web site for the National Council of Building Design Certification
(NCPBD). Also see Before You Choose an Architecture School for links to accredited
architecture schools and architecture training programs.
On-the-job Training
On-the-job training is essential to receive certification as a Professional Building Designer. Use
the career resources center at your school and/or online job listings to locate an internship or
entry level position where you can work with architects, structural engineers, or building
designers. Begin building a portfolio with working drawings for design projects. Once you have
accumulated several years of training through coursework and on-the-job training, you will be
eligible to take a certification exam.
Certification Exam
You are not legally required to become certified in order to work as a house designer. However,
earning certification will make it easier for you to find a job in the field. In the United States,
Professional Building Designers are certified by the National Council of Building Design
Certification (NCPBD). When you apply for certification, you will be asked for letters of
reference and a portfolio. Once these are approved, you will need to take a two-day certification
exam. The exam questions will cover many phases of construction, design, and problem solving.
You will be permitted to refer to several approved reference books as you take the exam. The
exam is timed, so you will have only a few minutes to complete each question.
Whether or not you aspire to become certified, you may find it helpful to look at sample
questions from the certification exam. These questions will show you the types of courses and
training you will need to obtain in order to find work designing houses. A few sample questions
are listed below.
Sample Exam Questions
Which of the following is not one of the four basic ingredients in concrete?
a. fine aggregate
b. cement
c. water
d. admixture
Where did early Christian and Byzantine architects obtain most of their building materials?
__________________________________
Make an isometric sketch of a:
a. gable roof
b. hip roof
c. gambrel roof
If these questions seem difficult, do not be discouraged. The NCPBD offers a study guide that
will help you prepare. You will also find the material you need to know in these books:
1. Architectural Graphics Standards (Ramsey/Sleeper-AIA)
2. The Professional Practice of Architectural Working Drawings by Wakita & Linde (John Wiley
& Sons)
3. Construction Materials and Processes by Don A. Watson (McGraw Hill Book Co.)
4. Construction Principles. Materials and Methods by Harold B. Olin (Van Nostrand Reinhold)
5. A Field Guide to American Houses (Virginia & Lee McAlester)
6. Simplified Engineering for Architects & Builders (Harry Parker)
Learn More About Careers in Building Design
• National Council of Building Design Certification (NCPBD)
• American Institute of Building Design
Still curious? Drop by our Discussion Forum and post your questions.
Plan Your Career in Home Design
• Choose an architecture school
• What is an Architect?
• Careers in Architecture
Home Design Career Resources
• National Council of Building Designer Certification
• American Institute of Building Design
New posts to the Architecture forums:
• Cupola to improve lighting?
• Experts Study Skyscraper Safety
• Cottage? Bungalow? What is it?
New posts to the Architecture forums:
• Cupola to improve lighting?
• Experts Study Skyscraper Safety
• Cottage? Bungalow? What is it?
Related Articles
• Professional Building Designer - Home Designer - Definition of Building Des...
• Before You Build - 5 Steps to Building Your New Home
• Architecture Offers Many Career Choices - Architecture Major
• Find Architecture Facts and Photos on the Web - Research Architecture on th...
• Professional Branding: Building Your Personal Brand

Guide since 1999

Jackie Craven
Architecture Guide
• Sign up for My Newsletter
• My Blog
• My Forum
Advertisement
Advertisement
Architecture Ads
• House Design
• Interior Designer
 • Career
• Graphic Designer
• Architectural Design
Architecture Ads
• House Design
• Interior Designer
• Career
• Graphic Designer
• Architectural Design
Sponsored Links
Italian Fashion SchoolFashion courses in your country with Italian fashion
stylewww.fashionschool.com
Real Estate In DubaiAmazing Capital Growth On Luxury Apartments from N60m. Great
Returnswww.TheFirstGroup.com/Dubai
Project ManagementCertificate from Cornell University New York for NGO's in
Nigeria.www.ecornell.com
Sponsored Links
Italian Fashion SchoolFashion courses in your country with Italian fashion
stylewww.fashionschool.com
Real Estate In DubaiAmazing Capital Growth On Luxury Apartments from N60m. Great
Returnswww.TheFirstGroup.com/Dubai
Project ManagementCertificate from Cornell University New York for NGO's in
Nigeria.www.ecornell.com
Related Searches career resources center architecture training ceu providers entry level position
designer architect architecture schools
Explore Architecture
Must Reads
• House Styles
• House Plans
• House Paint Colors
• Become an Architect
• Architecture Basics
Most Popular
• Building Costs
• Pick House Colors
• Home Design Software Programs
• 1905-1930: Bungalow Styles
 • World's Tallest Buildings
See More About:
• architecture careers
• house styles
• architecture schools
• architecture lesson plans
By Category
• Design & Build
• Remodel & Restore
• Find House Plans
• Research Your Home
• Great Buildings
• Famous Architects
• Construction Facts
• Periods & Styles
• Theories & Approaches
• Health & Environment
• Cities & Landscapes
• Travel & Museums
• School & Career
• Lessons & Activities
• Reference Tools
About.com Special Features
Quick Ways to Get Organized
Control clutter in your home and life by tackling some quick organizing projects. More
How to Renovate a House
The process of renovation can be mind-bending, but it doesn't have to be with this simple guide.
More

Architecture
1. Home
2. Home & Garden
3. Architecture
4. School & Career
 5. How to Become a Professional Home Designer - Career Resources>
• Most Popular
• Latest Articles
• RSS
• Advertising Info
• News & Events
• Work at About
• SiteMap
• All Topics
•
• Help
• User Agreement
• Ethics Policy
• Patent Info.
• Privacy Policy
• Your Ad Choices
• Our Story
• Write for About
©2011 About.com. All rights reserved.
A part of The New York Times Company.