‘It just feels unreal’: Emma Ocken becomes Licensed Architect

Emma Ocken’s path to becoming a registered architect wasn’t just about crossing a finish line—it was an uphill battle, marked by long nights, countless sacrifices, and a grueling mental marathon that spanned years. The tests themselves, six in total, stood as formidable gates between her and the title of “architect,” each more challenging than the last.

She had always been methodical, choosing the four-plus-two route to ensure she had both the academic and practical foundation for her career. After graduating from her undergraduate program in 2018 with a bachelor’s in architecture, she immediately pursued her master’s, completing it by 2020. But when the time came to face the next hurdle—architectural licensing exams—Emma hit a wall.

“I took off about a year of studying because I was like, I can’t do this anymore,” she admitted.

That pause was her way of catching her breath after years of relentless academic pressure. But the exams couldn’t be avoided for long, and Emma knew that the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy.

The testing process for architects is infamous for its intensity, demanding a deep understanding of both the creative, technical, and administrative sides of the profession. Emma described the exams as “the whole business,” an understatement that belied the true scope of what she was up against. The tests covered everything—from building client relationships to project management, design development, and even firm finances.

“There’s a lot of stuff. It’s not easy,” she said, echoing the sentiments of countless architects before her. The sheer volume of knowledge required was overwhelming. “You’re calculating fees, balancing staffing needs, and memorizing concepts you’re not even sure you’ll use again,” she recalled with a wry smile.

But like many in her shoes, she pressed on, knowing that each test was a necessary step toward the career she had dreamed of.

Her days became a relentless cycle of work and study. The first few weeks before each test, she’d manage an hour here or there. But as the exam date loomed, her schedule became consumed with practice tests, note-taking, and late-night study sessions.

“Whenever I’m not working, I’m studying,” she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion just at the memory of it.

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By the final week before each test, Emma was all in. The tests themselves were marathons, with four lasting three and a half hours and the final two stretching to four and a half hours each.

Still, no matter how much she studied, the tests never felt like a sure thing.

“I went in telling myself, it’s okay if I don’t pass,” she admitted. The stakes were high, and the fear of failure was real. But one by one, Emma passed them, even if her confidence hadn’t always been there. “There wasn’t a single time when I walked in thinking, ‘I’ve got this.’ But it feels so good at the end when you get that preliminary score and you’re just like, ‘I did it.’”

Each passed test brought a flood of relief, but she knew there were still more to come.

The journey took longer than she had expected, stretching to nearly three years, as major projects at work and life’s demands pushed her timeline further.

“I took a decent amount of time off when I was working on a major project because that took so much time and energy,” she explained.

But even as the exams dragged out, Emma remained steadfast, determined to reach that final milestone.

Her social life, however, was an inevitable casualty of the process.

“My friends got into the pattern of, ‘Oh, she’s studying. She’s not going to be talking to me,’” she said, laughing softly. “Maybe we’ll go out for a drink once this month.”

But even in those rare moments of respite, the tests loomed in the back of her mind. The weight of studying was always there.

And then, finally, the last test was behind her. In September, Emma learned she passed her final exam and was officially – and finally – a licensed and registered architect.

The relief was immediate and immense.

“Ever since I graduated, I just felt like this whole thing had been held over my head,” she said, describing the feeling as a constant pressure that followed her every move. “Now I can go make my own schedule. I can work out, I can make dinner, instead of eating leftovers.”

It wasn’t just the title of “architect” that felt like a victory—it was reclaiming her life, her time, her freedom. The years of constant grinding, studying, and juggling a full-time job with the demands of the tests were over.

But even after reaching that milestone, the accomplishment still felt surreal.

“I have to keep reminding myself,” she said. The shift from graduate architect to registered architect was monumental, but after years of pushing toward the goal, it was hard to process that she had finally made it. “It just feels unreal.”

Emma’s achievement was particularly significant within Elevatus, which hasn’t celebrated a newly registered architect in several years. Her success now stands as a beacon for others still in the trenches of studying, and she hopes it will inspire them.

“I hope people see that and strive for it,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “I hope it reinvigorates them.”

Emma’s journey wasn’t just about passing a series of tests—it was a demonstration of resilience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in herself. The architectural testing process may have been one of the toughest challenges of her career, but it’s what made the celebration of becoming a registered architect all the sweeter. She had earned it, every step of the way.