First Time Users

The Emerging Professional’s Companion is a online resource developed by the AIA and NCARB primarily for use by interns in gaining IDP credit. The Companion can also be used by educators, young architects, AIA components, and firms in a variety of ways to enhance or create new learning opportunities.

How to Get Started

At the top of each page, you will find four pull-down menus, one for each NCARB IDP training category: Design and Construction Documents, Construction Administration, Management, and Professional and Community Service (Figure 01). When you place your mouse over the topic heading, both the silhouetted image and the menu of chapters will appear (Figure 02). There are 16 chapters in the Companion, aligned with NCARB’s 16 IDP training areas. To begin, choose the chapter in which you would like to get started.

When you click on the chapter topic, you will be taken to the introduction for that chapter. This will include a brief overview of the topic as well as the current IDP requirements from NCARB. On the right side of every page, you will find a list of chapter’s sections: introduction, narrative, self-quiz, practice exercises, and application activities (Figure 03).

It is usually best to begin with the narrative, which will give you an overview of the chapter topic. Next, take the quiz and review the correct answers instantly. Then, you can select from beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level practices exercises and application activities and complete them for credit. Learn more how to calculate and submit for credit.