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Comedian'sAngirls Tanaka also passed the written exam, Second-class architect exam!

As you continue to do DIY renovations, you may think, "One day I'd like to get a qualification and get serious about designing and construction work." Second-class architects in particular are very attractive as qualifications that can work on private homes and small buildings. However, is it possible to obtain this even after becoming a working adult, from completely unqualified or inexperienced?

To put it simply, "even if it's a complete amateur or working adult." However, you must meet the qualifications.

We will explain in detail how to do this, the actual route, costs, and burdens.

Basic route to becoming a second-class architect

Not everyone can take the second-class architect exam right away, and they need to be qualified to take the exam. There are four main routes to obtaining this qualification:

Route 1: Commuting to a vocational school (night)

If you attend a technical college (night course) certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for two years, you will be eligible to take the exam upon graduation. It is the most popular method among working adults.

• Duration: 2 years
• Class hours: Nighttime (3-4 days a week, 6pm-9pm, etc.)
• Estimated tuition fees: Approximately 900,000 to 1.2 million yen/year

Specific school examples:

• Yomiuri Science and Technology Medical and Welfare College Architecture Department (Suidobashi, Tokyo)
• Aoyama Arts College Architecture Department (Tokyo, Shibuya)
• Chuo Technical School, Night Architectural Design Department (Oji, Tokyo)

The advantage of nighttime is that it's easy to go to after work. However, to attend work in parallel for two years, you will need a certain amount of physical strength and determination.

Route 2: Use a correspondence vocational school

The correspondence course has become popular in recent years. Mainly focusing on online classes, you can obtain qualifications by studying at home and schooling several times a month.

• Duration: 2 years
• Class Style: Online + Several Schooling sessions per month (mainly on weekends)
• Estimated tuition fees: Approximately 400,000 to 600,000 yen/year

Specific school examples:

• Tokyo Nikken Technical College, Architect Training Department (Iidabashi, Tokyo)
• Machida Design & Architectural College Correspondence Education Course (Machida, Tokyo)

The advantage of correspondence systems is that tuition fees are low and the main focus is to study at home, making it easy to balance work and home.

Route 3: Attend a university, junior college, or full-time vocational school

You can obtain the qualification to take the exam by attending an architecture university, junior college, or full-time vocational school.

• Duration: 2-3 years at junior college, 4 years at university
• Class hours: Daytime (full-time commute)
• Estimated tuition fees: Approximately 900,000 to 1.5 million yen/year

It has a large time and financial burden, and the hurdles for working adults to choose are slightly higher. However, this is a great option if you are thinking about making a career change seriously.

Route 4: Gain practical experience

If you work in architecture-related work for more than seven years with practical experience, you will be eligible to take the exam as a second-class architect regardless of your academic background.

• Duration: At least 7 years of practical experience
• Tuition fee: No need
• Required Certificates: Practical Proof by Workplace

The appeal is that it is not costly, but it takes time and requires careful attention as the practical requirements for eligibility to take the exam are strictly determined.

I have also written related articles below.

If you are qualified as a second-class architect through communications, you should check the following items:

The most recommended method for working adults to "low-dense"

If "working adults aim to obtain qualifications in the shortest possible time without any effort," then the "correspondence vocational school route" would be the most realistic and least burdensome.

The reasons are as follows:

• "Relatively low tuition fees": It's about half the price at night.
• "Focus on home learning": It's easy to obtain qualifications while continuing to work.
• "No practical experience required": Once you graduate, you will be eligible to take the exam immediately, so you won't waste your time.

With correspondence, even working adults can easily qualify for the exam in two years. After graduation, you can take the exam in July of the following year as quickly as possible.

Process for obtaining a second-class architect qualification

① Enrolled in correspondence vocational school (April enrolled)
② Obtaining credits and graduating in 2 years (graduating in March)
③ Started full-scale study for the subject exam immediately after graduation (April of the following year).
④ Taking the subject exam in July
⑤ After passing the course, prepare for drafting exams from September to December.
⑥ Drafting tests were conducted around January of the following year.
7. After passing the exam, register as a second-class architect license (from February to March)

If things go smoothly, you will be able to obtain a second-class architect qualification within about three years of enrollment.

Things to keep in mind when dealing with correspondence

The biggest thing to note about correspondence systems is that self-management is necessary. Because you are free to take control of yourself and come up with a study plan, you may end up giving up halfway through.

Specific points:

• Have some time to study every day
• Make sure to check and secure the schooling schedule in advance.
• It's easier to continue if you find a partner with the same goal on social media.

Specific examples of schools that can be achieved even by working adults

School name (location)	Course/Length period	Class hours and characteristics	Qualification granted	remarks
Yomiuri Science and Technology Medical and Welfare College Architecture Department (Nighttime) (Suidobashi, Tokyo)	Two years	18:20-21:10, 4 nights a week. A comprehensive range of BIM and CAD exercises	Graduation = second-level exam qualification	Yomiuri Science and Technology Medical and Welfare College
Aoyama Arts College Architecture Department (Night) (Tokyo, Shibuya)	Two years	7:00pm-21:50pm, 3 nights a week. 7 minutes by Shibuya Station	Graduation = Grade 1 and 2 qualifications	Aoyama Drawing College
Chuo Technical School, Night Architectural Design Department (Oji, Tokyo)	Two years	18:10-21:20, 4 nights a week	Graduation = second-level exam qualification	kenchikuschool-tokyo.info
Tokyo Nikken Technical College, Architect Training Department (2-year communications system) (Iidabashi, Tokyo)	Two years	Schooling once a week + learning from home video. Up to 6 years of employment	Graduation = second-level exam qualification (0 years of practical work)	Tokyo Nikken
Machida Design & Architectural College Correspondence Education Course (Machida, Tokyo)	Two years	Schooling is mainly on weekends. E-Learning combined	Graduation = second-level exam qualification	tushins.mdc.ac.jp

point

• All of the above tables are "architect training facilities" designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
• Once you graduate, you can take the second-class architect exam with no practical experience.

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The "Lowest-Tough" model plan

• I want to reduce the time burden → B 2 years of correspondence
  • Only go to school once a week and the rest is online. Easy to balance work and housework.
  • Tuition fees are about half the price of the night course (around 500,000 yen per year).
  • After graduation, you can apply for the next July academic exam as quickly as possible.
• Want to keep tuition fees/Working in related positions → D 7th grade practical route
  • No tuition fees. However, the problem is the creation of documents with proof of experience and the long-term seven years.
  • The fact that the practical content has expanded with the revision and has now been counted in construction management and research work is a tailwind (see Kyodo Engineering Co., Ltd. Mid-career Recruitment Site, etc.).

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Estimated number of years required to obtain

• News and Night School Route
  • Two years of enrollment + six months to one year of exam study → Registration for license in as little as 2.5 to 3 years
• Specialized routes for universities and full-time
  • Student attendance for 2-4 years + exam preparation → as little as 3-5 years
• Practical experience route
  • Practical work for over 7 years + exam preparation → Approximately 8 years

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Summary

• If working adults or inexperienced people are aiming to become second-class architects in the shortest possible time, the classic is "second-year correspondence" or "second-year night."
• If you want to keep your tuition fees down and focus on learning at home, correspondence courses such as Tokyo Nikken Technical College are the easiest.
• If you can change jobs to an architecture-related workplace, a seven-year practical route would be an option, but it would take a long time to prepare certificates and be complicated.
• Both routes require preparation for the national examinations of departments and drafting, and the advantage of the vocational schools is that they incorporate exam preparation courses from when they are attending school.

Consider the combination of the above routes and schools according to your "time, tuition fees, and working style."

Recommended study tools

It is efficient to use the following tools for correspondence learning:

• Collection of Architectural Laws (Latest Edition)
• CAD software (for beginners, free or low priced)
• Architect Exam Preparation Textbooks and Questions Collection

Information referenced

• Qualification for exams: Building Technology Education Promotion Center
• Aoyama Artifact College Official Website
• Tokyo Nikken Technical College Official Website

We hope this will be of some help to those of you who are a DIY fan who is aiming to become a second-class architect!

If you're wondering "How much renovation or remodeling can I actually do on my own home?" or "Where should I even start?", please visit this page. If you're looking to learn more about specific renovation processes or construction details, don't miss this page as well!