Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

01. Information Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

All information, resources, contract documents, technical materials, and member discussions made available by the Association of Licensed Architects, whether on this website, in publications, at programs, or through the member portal, are provided on an as is and as available basis, without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including any warranty of accuracy, completeness, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

Architecture is a licensed profession governed by state law, local building codes, and project specific conditions. It remains the sole responsibility of each practitioner to verify all information, codes, standards, and legal requirements before relying on them in practice. Use of any Association material is at the user's own risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Association, its officers, directors, employees, committee members, and volunteers shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including lost profits, project losses, or professional claims, arising out of or related to the use of, or inability to use, any Association information, document, program, or service, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Where a jurisdiction does not allow certain limitations, liability is limited to the greatest extent that jurisdiction permits, and in no event shall total liability exceed the amount paid to the Association by the claimant for the specific material or program giving rise to the claim in the twelve months preceding it.

02. No Professional Advice

The resources, seminars, contract documents, and community forums provided by the Association do not constitute legal, structural, engineering, or professional architectural advice. ALA contract documents are standard forms that require adaptation to the specific project and jurisdiction, and the Association recommends review by the member's own attorney before use. Members must rely on their own independent professional judgment or seek dedicated counsel when applying any concept to specific project conditions.

03. Information We Collect

We collect the information needed to run a professional membership association. That includes identity and contact details such as name, firm, mailing address, email address, and phone number; professional details such as license numbers, licensing states, membership type, and continuing education records; registration details for events, webinars, and programs; materials you submit to Association programs such as Design Awards entries, Student Merit Awards entries, and member stories, including project descriptions and photography; payment details needed to process dues and purchases; and standard technical information created when you use our websites, such as server logs and pages visited.

Payment card transactions are processed by our payment processor. The Association does not store complete card numbers on its own systems.

04. How We Use Information

Member information is used to operate the Association: maintaining the membership roster, processing dues and renewals, tracking and reporting continuing education, administering events and programs, delivering member benefits, publishing Association media such as Licensed Architect magazine, the website, and social channels, and communicating with members about the Association's work. Materials submitted to awards programs and member stories are published under the terms stated at submission.

Member contact information may be visible to other active members within the secure member directory for professional networking. Where the Association publishes a public directory for finding an architect, it is limited to name, firm, city, and state, and members may ask the office to be excluded at any time.

05. Service Providers

The Association uses established service providers to operate its systems, and shares with each only the information that the service requires. These currently include MemberClicks (Personify) for the member database, member portal, forms, email, and event registration; a payment processor for dues and purchases; Award Force for Design Awards entry management; CE App for continuing education tracking and on demand learning; GoToWebinar for webinars; Jotform for program submissions; and Netlify for website hosting. Each provider operates under its own privacy and security terms.

06. How Information Is Shared

The Association does not sell personal information. We do not share member information with third parties for their own marketing.

Attendee and completion lists for sponsored education programs, such as partner presented courses and lunch and learn sessions, are shared with the presenting Industry Partner as part of those programs. Registering for a sponsored program constitutes consent to that sharing.

We may disclose information when required by law, to enforce Association policies, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of the Association, its members, or the public. If the Association ever reorganizes, records would transfer to the successor organization under this policy.

07. Cookies and Analytics

The member portal uses cookies to keep you signed in and to operate registration and checkout. Our websites use standard analytics and server logs to understand aggregate usage. We do not run third party advertising networks or sell browsing data. You can set your browser to refuse cookies; portions of the member portal will not function without them.

08. Email Communications

Members receive operational email such as renewal notices, receipts, continuing education status reminders, and program confirmations, along with Association news. Every informational email includes an unsubscribe option, and opt outs are honored. Operational messages tied to your membership, such as receipts and renewal notices, are sent as long as you remain a member.

09. Data Security

The Association uses reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect member information, including encrypted connections on its websites and access limited to staff and contractors who need it. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and the Association cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a breach of personal information, the Association will provide notice consistent with the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act and other applicable law.

10. Data Retention

Membership and continuing education records are retained for the duration of membership and afterward as needed for transcripts, legal, tax, and archival purposes. Awards and program submissions are retained and published under their submission terms. You may ask the office to delete information we are not required to keep.

11. Your Choices

You may review and update your contact and profile information through the member portal or by contacting the office. You may opt out of the member directory, decline informational email, or ask what information the Association holds about you by writing to ALA@licensedarchitect.org. The Association's services are directed to the United States.

12. Children

Association websites and programs are directed to professionals and students at the high school level and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. School outreach programs are run through teachers and school administrators.

13. Photography at Events

Association events are documented in photography and video used in ALA publications, websites, and social media. Attendance constitutes consent to this use. Contact the office in advance of an event if you need to be excluded.

14. Copyright and Intellectual Property

All original structural layouts, branding, publications, and proprietary Association documents are the exclusive intellectual property of the Association of Licensed Architects. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution without explicit permission is prohibited. Materials submitted to Association programs are published under the rights granted in their terms of submittal; ownership remains with the submitting member.

15. Third Party Links

Our digital platforms contain links to external service providers, sponsors, partners, and educational resources. The Association is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of external sites.

16. Changes to This Policy

The Association may update this policy as its services and the law change. Updates are posted on this page with a new effective date. Continued use of Association websites and services after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

17. Contact

Questions about this policy, your information, or your choices: write to ALA@licensedarchitect.org or call 847.382.0630. Association of Licensed Architects, Frankfort, Illinois.