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 JOIN AIBD
Types of Membership:
Professional
Professional members are the heart and soul of AIBD. Professional members are directly involved in building design. Their work may consist of an array of professional design services for single and multi-unit residential and light commercial structures. To apply for membership as a Professional Building Designer [click here]
To download a reference letter template [click here]
To download the AIBD Minimum Plan Standards [click here]
Educator
Educator members are those instructors seeking access to industry tools and training they can use to prepare their students for careers in residential and light commercial building design. To apply for membership as an Educator member [click here]
Design Student
Student members study building and design related subjects at their high school, vocational or technical school, community college, university or are registered in the AIBD On-the-job Training Program. To apply for membership as a Student Member [click here]
To download the AIBD On-the-Job Training Program form [click here]
Associate
Associate members provide products or services to Professional members. They sell building products, offer services such as landscape design, interior design, engineering, etc. or they may have other business interests related to building design, such as building officials or contractors. Associate members offer products or services that are local in nature. To apply for membership as an Associate Member [click here]
Corporate
Corporate members also provide products or services to Professional members, but their business encompasses and they may have representatives in more than one state. There are three levels of Corporate membership: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. To get more information and to apply for membership as a Corporate member [click here]
Affiliate
Foreign and domestic professional or industry organizations whose interests in the profession of building design are related or similar to those of the Institute, such as CEDIA, EEBA, etc., and wish to affiliate for mutually beneficial reasons, qualify for Affiliate membership. To apply for membership as an Affiliate member [click here].
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Where do I send my application and plans?
- Can I send everything electronically?
- What type of membership should I apply for?
- Do I have to have a license in my state to join AIBD?
- How is joining AIBD different from joining AIA?
- Once I join, how do I change my contact info and who has access to this information?
- How much does it cost?
- How long does it take to process my application?
- Can I pay for my membership using a credit card?
- How long does a membership last?
- Does my national membership include membership in the state society?
- If I join, can I use the AIBD logo on my plans?
- What are the volunteer opportunities after I join?
- Will becoming a member of AIBD automatically give me errors and omissions insurance?
- If I join AIBD does that make me a member of NCBDC?
- Can I lose my membership?
- What happens if I let my membership expire?
- What are the requirements after I become a member?
- How and where do I get more information before I join?
- How will being a Professional member benefit me, my business or my clients?
- What if I’m a designer but I don’t qualify for Professional membership?
- Is there any way to get a discount on membership?
Questions and Answers:
Q: Where do I send my application and plans?
A: State societies are responsible for reviewing and approving applications. Please [click here] for a list of society contacts. If your state does not have a society, please send your information to the district director for your region. [click here]
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Q: Can I send everything electronically?
A: How documents are received varies from state to state. Please contact your state society contact or district director for more information on submitting plans electronically.
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Q: What type of membership should I apply for?
A: If you are presently designing or preparing plans for homes or light commercial buildings either as a business owner or an employee of a firm, you should apply for Professional membership. All other applicants will fall under the General member classification. Please contact your state society contact or district director for clarification and assistance with membership categories.
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Q: Do I have to have a license in my state to join AIBD?
A: No, you do not have to be licensed to be a member of AIBD.
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Q: How is joining AIBD different from joining AIA?
A: While AIA serves as the voice of the architecture profession, AIBD represents design professionals who have chosen to specialize in residential or light commercial design. The architectural laws of many US States allow for design professionals to specialize in many areas of architecture, primarily one and two family dwellings, without the need to be a licensed architect. The AIBD sets standards for best business practices, provides education and community, for those in the unlicensed architectural disciplines. To refer to each state’s architectural laws [click here]
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Q: Once I join, how do I change my contact info and who has access to this information?
A: You may log into the AIBD ePortal website [ePortal] to update your contact information. Only members are able to see your contact information. If you are a Professional Member, certain contact details are listed on the AIBD website for consumers to locate you. In addition, AIBD Corporate members are given access to the national member roster. For a list of AIBD Corporate members [click here]
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Q: How much does it cost?
A: Membership investment varies by state, please [click here] for your location’s details. Each new membership investment includes a onetime initiation fee. Existing members have the option of renewing their membership by choosing to pay in full, semi-annually or quarterly. (fees apply to the multi-payment options)
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Q: How long does it take to process my application?
A: Typically it will take two weeks to process your application. However, this varies by state and if all the documents have been submitted properly. It is possible for this process to vary from one week to four weeks.
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Q: Can I pay for my membership using a credit card?
A: Yes, but you must discuss this with the state society or district director responsible for your application. If the state or district director cannot process your credit card, the AIBD national office will be responsible for collecting payment. Existing members have the option of renewing their membership using any major credit card.
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Q: How long does a membership last?
A: Your membership is a one year membership and renews on the first day of the month following your anniversary date.
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Q: Does my national membership include membership in the state society?
A: When you join AIBD as an individual member and live within a state that has a society, your membership includes both. If you are an At Large member, then you will join at the national level only.
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Q: If I join, can I use the AIBD logo on my plans?
A: With a membership in AIBD you are able to use the AIBD logo as it relates to your business. Only AIBD Professional Members who are registered design professionals or are certified by the National Council of Building Design may use the acronym “AIBD” after their name.
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Q: What are the volunteer opportunities after I join?
A: You can serve in the local state society, start a state society, join one of the many committees [click here] or join with your fellow members on a new idea to further your profession and the work of the Institute.
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Q: Will becoming a member of AIBD automatically give me errors and omissions insurance?
A: No, it is not automatic. As a Professional Member, you will have access to insurance opportunities, but you must individually apply.
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Q: If I join AIBD does that make me a member of NCBDC?
A: No, AIBD is a membership organization and NCBDC is a certification body. To become certified by NCBDC, individuals must qualify for and pass a two day comprehensive and practical exam.
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Q: Can I lose my membership?
A: Yes, you can lose your membership for a number of reasons. Some of the main reasons are nonpayment of dues and not maintaining your continuing education credits (Only Professional Members are required to report CE credits).
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Q: What happens if I let my membership expire?
A: Within 120 days of the expiration you may contact the national office to request reinstatement and pay a reinstatement fee. If you do not contact the office within the proper time frame, you will be required to reapply as a member. Additionally, whenever your membership expires, you are required to return your AIBD Membership Certificate (applies to all levels).
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Q: What are the requirements after I become a member?
A: This will vary depending on your level of membership. All members are required to keep their membership dues current based on their renewal date and selected payment option. Professional Members are required to maintain continuing education credits as well. It is also extremely important to keep your contact information updated.
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Q: How and where do I get more information before I join?
A: Great resource for more information is to visit www.AIBD.org and review the material you find. You can also request more information. However speaking directly with someone in your state or at the AIBD national office is the best option for getting more information that is specific to your needs. To search for a Professional member in your area [click here].
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Q: How will being a Professional member benefit me, my business or my clients?
A: First, joining as a Professional will automatically put 60 years of experience behind your name. However, there are many more benefits to be discovered. Including:
- A listing, with a link to your website, on the AIBD national website’s “Find a Design Professional” search page.
- Access to publications, service contract templates, copyright information, and more – many of which are free.
- Networking with others who specialize in residential or light commercial design.
- Discounts with Whirlpool, FedEx, HP, Green Builder College, VELUX, and more.
- Access to national, regional and online educational sessions – many of which are free.
- An online membership community.
- Discounted National Convention Registration
- See these and more benefits [click here]
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Q: What if I’m a designer but I don’t qualify for Professional membership?
A: Complete the application for Professional Membership and submit it to your local representative (state society or district director). If you are not qualified for Professional membership at the time of your application, you will be contacted and placed at the Associate-Practicing level until you qualify.
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Q: Is there any way to get a discount on membership?
A: There is two ways to receive a membership discount. Existing Professional members are awarded a $25 discount when their local society Professional membership grows by 25% or more. In addition, Professional members who sponsor three new Professional members within one year are awarded a 100% discount on their next year national dues.
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