France - L.A : A 2 years from now project

Hi everyone,

My name is Thomas i'm a French architect based in Paris, 26yo. I finished my +5 years of architecture at the National architecture School of Paris Val de Seine, and I've been working for 2 years in the business of architect’s agency in Paris. I'm going to begin my HMONP this year which if i succeed will be the equivalent of getting my name on the list of the Order of architects in France.

Once this project will end, I want to perfectionate myself in California Los Angeles for a few years. I lived as a tourist in L.A for 2 months & travelled alot in America and Asia. My English is natural & i also can use my architect’s vocabulary in English fluently.

I know I’m coming a bit ignorant for now because i plan this project to happen around September of next year, but I’d appreciate helps from architects or people aware of the needs i will require, who themselves left to perfectionate themselves in California before and what they had to go through. I heard I need a NCARB certificate and to redo some master’s degree to get an equivalent title to my years of studies in France but I’m not sure.

So here is a few questions i assembled when i brainstormed it a bit feel free to ask me to specify or any other info :

1) Is the California Board of Architects a platform that allows French architects on the French Order Board to get an equivalent certificate or should I study a master's degree again in America before practicing in Los Angeles?

2) Should i apply for a working talent Visa like The H-1B Visa or discuss this with an eventual employer in Los Angeles?

3) I estimated the life all expanse to be around 3.8k to 4.5k per month on my own but i may be wrong, what would you estimate life for a single adult to be around per month covering : house/car/assurance/food/appliances/phone.

Thanks in advance

Cordially

Thomas