AIA Ohio Early Professional Friendly Firm Program
This AIA Ohio program celebrates firms who offer exceptional support and opportunities for their early professionals. Additionally, the program seeks to foster a dialogue within firms across the state with the objective of creating new policies and practices that promote innovation, development, and progressive workplaces for the future members of the design profession. AIA Ohio expects that early professionals will consider firms that have earned this designation as they look match their skills with firms’ values as they seek employment.
What is an ‘Early Professional’?
An early professional is defined as someone who is part of the architectural staff, has been working in the architectural profession for 10 years or less and fills one of the following roles: architectural student intern, recent graduate, unlicensed emerging professional, or recently licensed architect.
My firm earned an EPFF Designation last year. Why should I reapply?
The EPFF designations are valid for one year, after which firms may apply for renewal.
How do I apply for the EP Friendly Firm designation for my firm?
Applicants will be required to complete a 56 question survey worth 106 possible points that includes questions from across 6 categories. These questions cover an array of areas critical to developing EP Friendly Firms. The survey is open now, and will close on March 17. Applications will be scored and firms will be notified by March 31. Click here to download the survey questions and point values in advance of your application.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE: The Early Professional Friendly Firm survey is open through March 17, 2025, for submissions. Part of the submission process includes confirmation by 33% of the early professionals working in the firm, or five early professionals if the firm has more than 15 assigned to the office. To do this, you must forward the confirmation email you receive once you submit your responses to the Early Professionals in your firm whom you identify will be verifying the submission. The confirmation email you forward will instruct the EPs how to confirm your submission.
It is highly recommended that you submit your EPFF survey responses by March 7, to give the EPs in your firm time to confirm the submission.
What firms are eligible?
All architecture firms that have an office in the state of Ohio meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply. Firms with more than one Ohio location shall apply for each office location separately.
- A majority (more than 50%) of the principals in the firm or local office submitting are members of the AIA.
- A percentage (more than 33%) of the Early Professionals, as defined above, in the firm or local office submitting are members of the AIA. If no individual meeting the early professional criteria is currently employed the firm is still allowed to apply.
- The firm is current with AIA Ohio supplemental dues requirements.
- The firm does not utilize any unpaid labor as defined in the AIA Ohio Unpaid Labor Policy.
How will firms be recognized?
There are two designations possible that a firm may receive. The Early Professional Firm Friendly Designation and the Early Professional Firm Friendly Plus+ Designation.
- EP Firm Friendly Designation is earned by receiving a passing score of 70% (75 points) or above through the EP Firm Friendly questionnaire
- EP Firm Friendly Plus+ Designation is earned by receiving a score of 80% (85 points) or above
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