EPiC Firms

Is your firm engaging and fostering Emerging Professionals? The American Institute of Architects defines Emerging Professionals as architecture graduates pursuing licensure and architects licensed within the last 10 years.

This recognition gives AIA Pennsylvania members the chance to assess and bestow their firms annually with the “EPiC Firm” designation. To be eligible for this designation, an emerging professional and a firm principal from each firm took the time to complete an assessment that provided checkpoints for four critical areas of an Emerging Professional’s development and “EPiC” firm culture:

1. The Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
2. Leadership
3. Support
4. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

PART 1 | Architectural Experience Program (AXP®)

• All licensure-eligible Architectural Emerging Professionals are encouraged to establish an
• NCARB Record and are registered with the Architectural Experience Program (AXP®).
• Licensed architects mentor emerging professionals (within or outside of the firm) in all areas of practice.
• Our firm provides emerging professionals with an annual and comprehensive review.
• All AXP® supervisors and mentors in our firm verify that all records are accurate before signing each emerging professional’s experience report.
• All AXP® supervisors and mentors in our firm have knowledge of current AXP® Guidelines and the requirements for registration in the jurisdiction.
• Provides opportunities for supplemental experience in addition to emerging professionals’ routine work assignments.
• Our firm facilitates accumulating AXP® experience hours in all areas through exposure to projects at various stages.

PART 2 | Leadership

• Encourages Emerging Professionals to be involved in a committee and/or professional affiliation within or outside of the firm.
• Engages Emerging Professionals in the entire project duration from conception through completion and provides a broad range of responsibilities and challenges.
• Supports our AXP® supervisors and mentors to effectively lead the development of Emerging Professional skills and talents.
• Includes Emerging Professionals in all areas of the firm’s practice management such as presentations, client meetings, consultant coordination meetings, job site meetings, code reviews, etc.
• Gives opportunities for team building and training sessions to build staff morale and better facilitate corporation and teamwork.

PART 3 | Support

• Compensates Emerging Professionals fairly and generously, recognizing their completion of a professional degree in architecture and professional experience.
• Makes an effort to provide flexible scheduling, recognizing the importance of work/life balance.
• Provides reimbursement and/or leave to attend continued education seminars and conferences.
• Pays minimum of 50% of EP dues for professional organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
• Provides administrative and technical support for the ARE®, including furnishing of resources, study materials, and practice exams.
• Offers emerging professionals paid time off to take each ARE® division.
• Publicly recognizes newly licensed architects upon successful completion of the ARE® and fulfillment of state requirements.
• Reimburses Emerging Professionals a minimum of 50% of the cost for ARE® testing OR offers a bonus compensation for ARE® completion.

PART 4 | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Our EPs are encouraged to speak up when they see an opportunity for change and leadership acknowledges their suggestions.
• Our firm strives to be inclusive for all people. To support a welcoming environment, we provide equity, diversity, and inclusion training for all staff.
• I see underrepresented firm leaders around me (differences in race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, culture, age, and/or livelihood, etc.), either in my own firm or in the consultants we choose to work with.
• My firm has a EDI committee / policy to openly talk about different needs
• My firm has an inclusive, flexible scheduling for holiday time off (i.e., considering all religions and cultures)
• My firm has a transparent salary structure which is comparable to the AIA Compensation

2022 EPiC Firm Recognition

Reference this page to access the 2022 EPiC Firm Recognition nomination assessment when the program opens in late summer/early fall. In the meantime, preview the four-part assessment checklist outlined above.

2021 EPiC Firm Recognition

The following 23 firms were recognized for their dedication to fostering emerging professionals in 2021.

• Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
• BLT Architects
• BRR
• CICADA Architecture and Planning
• Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates
• DesignGroup
• DIGSAU
• Evolve EA
• Fancy Parsley
• Francis Cauffman Architects
• HDR
• HOK
• HUNT Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors
• IKM, Inc.
• KCBA Architects
• MKSD Architects
• mulá group
• Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects
• PJA Architecture
• PZS Architects
• Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
• RLPS Architects
• WRT, LLC

2020 EPiC Firm Recognition

The following 26 firms were recognized for their dedication to fostering emerging professionals in 2020.

• Atkin Olshin Schade Architects 
• Ballinger 
• Bergmann 
• BLT Architects 
• Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects 
• Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates 
• DesignGroup 
• DIGSAU 
• Evolve EA
• Fancy Parsley 
• Hayes Design Group Architects  
• HDR
• HOK
• HUNT Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors 
• Ian Smith Design Group 
• IKM Inc. 
• KCBA Architects 
• LGA Partners, LP 
• LRK
• MKSD Architects 
• Moshier Studio 
• Murphy & Dittenhafer  
• PJA Architecture 
• qk Architecture 
• RLPS Architects 
• WRT, LLC 

2019 EPiC Firm Recognition

In 2019, the following 16 firms were recognized for their dedication to fostering emerging professionals.

• Atkin Olshin Schade Architects
• Ballinger
• BRR Architecture
• Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates Architects
• Hayes Design Group – Architects
• HDR
• MGA Partners, Architects
• MKSD
• Murphy & Dittenhafer
• PJA Architecture
• qkArchitecture
• R3A Architecture
• RLPS Architects
• Spillman Farmer Architects
• TKS Architects
• WRT

2018 EPiC Firm Recognition

2017 EPiC Firm Recognition

The following 41 firms were recognized for their dedication to fostering emerging professionals in 2017. 2016’s Innagural Firms Fostering Emerging Professionals can be viewed here.