His advice to those pursuing licensure?
“Stay passionate about the journey — do it with love for the field and with the vision of applying what you learn to create meaningful and memorable projects.”
At AIA El Paso, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our members who continue to shape the built environment through their passion, perseverance, and dedication. This month, we highlight the inspiring journey of Josue Muñoz Miramón, AIA, who recently achieved licensure after years of determination, study, and growth.
From growing up on construction sites in the border region to teaching architecture students in El Paso and working at the City Design Lab, Josue’s path reflects the resilience and commitment that define our profession. His story is not only a personal milestone but also a source of encouragement for emerging professionals navigating the challenges of architectural licensure.
We invite you to read Josue’s full Q&A below, where he shares his journey, challenges, and advice for others pursuing licensure.
Your Journey
Can you briefly describe your journey to becoming a licensed architect?
My journey began at a young age. My mom was a practicing architect in the border region, and my dad worked as a contractor and fabricator. Growing up around construction sites exposed me early on to design, building, and an entrepreneurial way of life — all of which fascinated me.
Unaware there was an architecture program in El Paso, I first enrolled in Engineering at UTEP right after high school. I quickly realized engineering wasn’t my path. I wanted something more hands-on and creative, so I transferred to the EPCC Architecture program and later became part of the first graduating class at Texas Tech University’s College of Architecture in El Paso.
With great effort, I moved to San Francisco for graduate school at the California College of the Arts. After graduating, I gained valuable experience working at several firms in the Bay Area before returning home to El Paso, where I began teaching at EPCC Architecture.
The path to licensure was long and difficult. I struggled for years to prepare on my own, until joining the Young Architect Bootcamp during the COVID years. That community helped me discover and refine my own learning and study methods. After 8 years of testing, 15 exams, and countless hours of preparation, I finally passed my last exam — officially becoming a licensed architect.
What were some of the key challenges you faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to prepare for the licensing exams on my own. Test-taking had never been a major part of my architectural education, so developing the discipline and consistency to study rigorously was difficult. On top of that, the process is often solitary, which added to the challenge while balancing full-time work and everyday life.
During those years, “life happened” — I moved cities, got married, bought a house, adopted our dog, and changed jobs — all while pushing forward with exams. Juggling personal milestones alongside the demands of licensure was one of the toughest, yet most defining parts of my journey.
Were there any moments or milestones that were particularly significant or memorable?
Passing my first exam, Construction and Evaluation, was a turning point. It proved to me that I could build a successful study routine and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward through the rest of the exams.
How did you balance the demands of work, study, and personal life during this journey?
Balancing work, study, and personal life required a lot of self-discipline and dedication. I had to be rigorous about maximizing my time, finding moments throughout the day to study wherever I could. One of the hardest parts was learning to say “no” to social events with friends and family — especially as someone who is naturally outgoing. Over time, I had to embrace the process fully, almost becoming obsessed with it, in order to push through.
Current State: How Do You Feel?
How does it feel to finally be a licensed architect?
It feels both surreal and deeply satisfying. Becoming a licensed architect has been one of the most challenging goals I’ve ever pursued, and after so many years, it’s an incredible relief to finally be free from constant studying and test prep. I feel immense gratitude toward everyone who supported me along the way, and pride in my own determination to see this journey through.
Has achieving licensure changed your perspective on your career or your role in the industry?
Definitely. Achieving licensure has deepened my respect and admiration for the profession and my colleagues. The more I work within the field, the more I recognize how complex and demanding it is to shape the built environment. Every project — big or small — comes with challenges, and it takes a truly dedicated team to bring them to life.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of reaching this milestone?
The most rewarding aspect has been finally checking off a goal I set for myself as a teenager: to become an architect. It’s something I’ve carried on my to-do list for so long that being able to say, at last, “I did it,” feels incredibly fulfilling. It is also rewarding to motivate students and colleagues to complete this process, with this example.
How have your colleagues, friends, and family reacted to your achievement?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of my wife, family, friends, mentors, and colleagues — so many amazing people rooting for me along the way. While the process of licensure can feel solitary, I never truly felt alone. Across the globe, hundreds of dedicated individuals are preparing for the same goal, and the sense of camaraderie and community within architecture is one of the things that drew me to the profession in the first place.
Looking Forward
Now that you’re licensed, what are your immediate professional goals?
Now that I’m licensed, my immediate goal is to keep learning and growing. I’m eager to take the concepts I’ve studied in books and put them into practice, while continuing to explore the many exciting facets that architecture has to offer.
Are there any specific projects or areas of architecture you’re excited to explore?
I’m especially excited to explore construction technology and material systems that respond to their environment. The craft, care, and passion for building are part of what makes our region and culture so unique. Working for the City of El Paso at the City Design Lab has also shown me how critical architects and designers are in shaping communities through policymaking, and I’m eager to keep exploring that dimension of the profession.
How do you plan to continue growing and developing in your career?
Mentoring, teaching, and helping others are some of the best ways to keep growing as a professional. Guiding emerging architects has been one of the most rewarding highlights of my career, and I plan to continue developing by learning alongside them and contributing to the next generation of designers.
What advice would you give to others who are working towards licensure?
My advice is to approach licensure with seriousness, focus, and determination. Find a study process that works for you, and be methodical about it: track your study time, test yourself often, and join or even create study groups and materials. Most importantly, stay passionate about the journey — do it with love for the field and with the vision of applying what you learn to create meaningful and memorable built projects.
Josue’s journey reminds us that licensure is more than just a credential: it is a testament to persistence, community support, and a lifelong commitment to design excellence. His advice to “Stay passionate about the journey” resonates with all of us who seek to create meaningful spaces and experiences through architecture.
On behalf of AIA El Paso, we congratulate Josue on this incredible achievement and look forward to seeing the many ways he will continue to inspire, mentor, and contribute to our profession and community.