Update on NCARB fees, the Six-Month Rule, and ways to earn IDP credits while unemployed

One of my interns recently sent me a notice that the $570 penalty is waived as of July 1st of this year.  NCARB's Six-Month Rule also begins officially for everyone as of July 1st, so that makes sense.  (Some interns were going to have to wait until one year after they opened their account with NCARB, which meant they might not get to start testing until late 2009 or early 2010, even though their hours were done.)

The official start of the Six-Month Rule means two things:

1. All hours have to be submitted via the e-EVR (online) submission forms.  If you send them a paper form for submitting your hours on or after July 1st, they'll send it back and tell you to do it online.  Everyone, regardless of when you opened your NCARB record, has to submit their hours online.
2. If you open your NCARB record on or after July 1st, you can only submit hours that are eight months old.  That is, you have until the end of August to submit your hours for January 1st - May 31st.  Basically, you have to submit hours every six months.  Hence, the name of the rule.
3. If you opened your record before June 30th, 2009, the Six-Month Rule won't fully kick in for you until July 1st, 2010.  However, it's a really good idea to get in the habit now of obeying the Six-Month rule.

In a recent email bulletin from NCARB, I also got some info about ways you can earn hours (as of July 1st) even if you're unemployed (which I bet some of you are).

Community Service
Work Setting FF (Performing professional or community service when it isn't applicable to any other work setting)
Training Category D Professional and Community Service 
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 10
The program director of the activity can sign off on your training units.

AIA Continuing Education
Training Categories A-D
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 235 (.25 training units equal one learning unit.)
A copy of the AIA transcript must be submitted to NCARB to receive credit.

CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) Certification
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 5
A copy of your certificate must be submitted to NCARB to receive credit.

CSI Construction Specifier (CCS) Certification
Training Category A - Specifications and Materials Research
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 5 
A copy of your certificate must be submitted to NCARB to receive credit.
(Note: this cannot be combined with EPC activities for satisfaction of minimum training units in this area.)

CSI Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) Certification
Training Category B - Construction Phase—Office
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 5
A copy of your certificate must be submitted to NCARB to receive credit.
(Note: this cannot be combined with EPC activities for satisfaction of minimum training units in this area.)

LEED Accreditation
Training Category D - Related Activities
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 5 
A copy of your certificate must be submitted to NCARB to receive credit.
(Note: to earn supplementary education training units for LEED Accreditation between 1 July 2008 and 1 July 2009, interns must have been employed in an IDP work setting.)

NCARB Professional Conduct Monograph and Quiz
Training Category C - Office Management
Maximum Training Units Allowed: 2 
NCARB will enter your passing score into your Record.
(Note: this can be combined with three EPC activities for satisfaction of minimum training units in this area.)

AIA Continuing Education credits can be earned through doing self-reporting tests in Architectural Record (the magazine of the AIA); I'm sure lots of AIA members would be happy to give you their copy once they're done with it.  You can also earn credits through Ron Blank's free online seminars.