Navigating the AXP During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Given all the changes and uncertainty of the past month, we wanted to update you with some thoughts and notes regarding the Architectural Experience Program, which documents the real world work experience that is an integral piece of the licensing process in the United States. As jobs and internships change or go on hold, we hope some of the notes below will answer questions and you help you navigate through AXP better. If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to email our licensing Advisor, Sameena Sitabkhan at aausameena@gmail.com.
How to Navigate the AXP During the Coronavirus Outbreak
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty, but you’re not in this alone—we’re here to help. Our staff architects have put together some tips to guide you through the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and pinpoint ways you can still gain experience during the outbreak.
Tip #1: Your Experience Will Not Expire
All experience that is submitted to (and ultimately approved by) your AXP supervisor will not expire as long as it complies with the rules of the experience setting. Once you’ve submitted your experience, the reporting requirement is no longer a concern, even if your supervisor takes a bit longer to approve your report.
Tip #2: Only Submit Reports When There is Experience to Report
As a licensure candidate, you are not required to continuously submit experience reports if you have no experience to report. So, for instance, if you are no longer employed in an acceptable experience setting, you won’t have to submit a report. However, you can always take advantage of our “Other Experience Opportunities” category under Setting O to continue making AXP progress while not employed. Learn about our paid, volunteer, and self-study opportunities available on pages 20-25 of the AXP Guidelines.
Tip # 3: Work Performed Remotely Qualifies for AXP
As long as your AXP supervisor is aware of what you are doing and has control over and knowledge of your work, you can still submit experience gained while working remotely and have it approved. You DO NOT need to be co-located in the same workplace as your supervisor.
While working in a virtual workplace, you may need to have more frequent check-ins to ensure your supervisor is properly aware of your progress toward developing competencies, as well as the AXP experience areas in which you may need more work experience.
Regardless of location, it’s always important to maintain open communication and collaborate with your supervisor.
Tip #4: Report in Shorter Time Frames
When meeting with your supervisor, take some time to discuss how often you should be reporting your experience. We typically recommend submitting experience in shorter time frames, such as every two weeks. This will help mitigate any potential issues if there is a change in employment, or if your supervisor becomes ill or unreachable.
Tip #5: Reporting Requirement Extensions
If you are experiencing extenuating life circumstances, you may qualify for a reasonable extension to the two-month filing period. To request an extension, you’ll need to contact us within six months of the event and be able to provide us with the appropriate documentation to qualify. Learn more about our reporting requirements and extensions.
Tip #6: Explore Our Free AXP Resources
There are many free resources and tools on our site for you to explore that will help you successfully complete the AXP, including the AXP Guidelines, our AXP Candidate and Supervisor Expectations guide, blog articles, and webinars.