In the United States of America a project architect is a licenced professional who is registered in one or more states. He or she has graduated from an NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) accredited university or college that offers a professional degree in architecture at the bachelors level or masters. This education is designed to prepare the graduate to perform the role of Intern Architect after graduation. The current process to become a project architect requires an internship of aproximatly three years under the care of a registered architect. The experience is organized through a system developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) called the Intern Development Program (IDP) . This training allows the Intern Architect to take the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE ) of his or her state and only after passing all nine exams can the person call themselves an architect. The role of a project architect requires construction project ussually associated with the building industry. His or her responsibilities range from client relations and design to code management and material familiarity. The role is typicaly associated with a Project manager who is responsible for the whole architectural design team including all consultants (engineers, cost estimators, interior designers, landscape architects). The budget for the design is managed by the Project Manager. The project architect could assume this role if the organization does not include the project manager but it is typical that the project architect is only responsible for the design management of a building project and is assisted by interns and other staff. Unless the project architect is an owner of a firm he or she will not sign the construction documents. This liability is typically covered by the firm and the legal responsibility for any architectural design errors and ommisions ultimatly falls on the architect who signs the documents.
