At our firm, there are few milestones as significant as becoming a licensed architect. Jess Harter, an exceptional designer at CNH Architects, recently earned this license through the Minnesota Board of AELSLAGID. Her dedication, hours of hard work, and passion for creating spaces have culminated in this well-deserved achievement.

After attaining her Master of Architecture at NDSU, Jess joined CNH Architects in May of 2020. Surrounded by seasoned professionals, she honed her skills, learning to balance aesthetics with functionality. Her potential was recognized early on, as Jess also took an interest in mentoring high school students as they begin navigating their own career paths.

All the while, Jess was working towards becoming a licensed architect. This is no small task, as it involves – first, attaining a professional architecture degree. Second, candidates must complete 3,740 hours working under a licensed architect in six different experience areas. These are known as Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours. Lastly, Jess took six exams, one for each experience area, which ranged from three to four hours to complete. These exams are known as Architect Registration Examinations (AREs). This detailed process is through NCARB, which is the organization that takes legal responsibility for licensing architects in the United States (plus it’s territories).

When the news arrived that Jess had passed her final exam, the office celebrated with a company outing. Her colleagues know that her license isn’t just a piece of paper; it is a testament to her commitment to excellence. The Minnesota Board’s stamp of approval validated years of hard work, sleepless nights, and the cups of coffee consumed during late-night design sessions.

As Jess steps into her new role as a certified architect, she’ll use her vision to continue shaping skylines, designing sustainable spaces, and leaving her mark on the built environment.

To Jess Harter, we raise our hard hats!