This past weekend, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)–the leader in architectural regulation and licensing–held its Annual Business Meeting in Seattle, Washington. A number of major announcements emerged from the meeting, impacting the architectural industry in North America, as well as globally.
First, NCARB announced updates to the path to certification for architects who do not hold a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
- What’s changing: These architects were previously required to complete NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program.
- What’s new: The streamlined path, which will be available beginning in 2017, requires three years of continuous licensure in one jurisdiction, plus documentation of professional experience and/or education.
This revised path will be offered at no additional charge to active Record holders and will incorporate the reduced Certificate application fee of $1,100.
According to NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong: “This change recognizes the value of the initial license and practical experience while maintaining a rigorous, yet inclusive, option for architects seeking NCARB certification.”
NCARB also announced a new Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the architectural licensing authorities of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, which will enable architects to earn reciprocal licenses abroad.
- The arrangement was spearheaded by NCARB, signed by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), and was approved by U.S. licensing boards at the Annual Business Meeting.
- For the MRA to be implemented, a minimum of 28 U.S. licensing boards will need to sign the arrangement by December 31, 2016.
Also emerging from this weekend’s meeting in Seattle is the announcement of a partnership between NCARB and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) for the 2016-2017 school year. NCARB will be supporting AIAS and its Freedom by Design program through a series of grants and mentorship opportunities. The goal of the partnership is to increase the availability of key tools and resources that architecture students need to improve the safety and accessibility of homes, community spaces, and playgrounds.
“NCARB is honored to support a program that prepares the next generation of architects for real-world practice while giving back to the community,” says Armstrong.
Details can be found in the press releases below.
NCARB to Streamline Education Requirement Alternative for Certification
Architects without an accredited degree will soon be able to pursue NCARB certification through a streamlined path.
Washington, DC—Licensed architects without a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) will soon find their path to NCARB certification streamlined and with reduced fees. Developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the NCARB Certificate facilitates reciprocal licensure among U.S. jurisdictions and Canadian provinces.
Currently, these architects seeking certification must hold a license and complete the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program to satisfy education requirements. Through this revised path, these architects can satisfy the education requirement for certification by either documenting experience beyond the Architectural Experience Program’s (AXP®) requirements or by submitting an education portfolio for review.
“This revised path recognizes the value of the initial license and practical experience while maintaining a rigorous, yet inclusive, option for architects seeking NCARB certification,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting.
Architects interested in earning an NCARB Certificate through this path must meet the following requirements:
• Have at least three years of continuous licensure in any U.S. jurisdiction without disciplinary action.
• Architects with a bachelor’s degree in an architecture-related program must document two times the AXP’s requirements (7,480 hours).
• Architects with other post-secondary education, who have obtained more than 64 semester credit hours, are required to obtain an EESA evaluation and then submit an education portfolio to address deficiencies.
• Architects with less than 64 semester credit hours of post-secondary education are not required to obtain an EESA and must address education deficiencies through an education portfolio.
The program will go into effect in 2017 and will replace the BEA Program, which currently costs $5,000. Additionally, this revised path will be offered at no additional charge to active Record holders and incorporate the reduced Certificate application fee of $1,100.
To learn more about the benefits of NCARB certification, visit www.ncarb.org/certification.
United States, Australia, and New Zealand Establish Arrangement to Recognize Architect Credentials
Spearheaded by NCARB, a new arrangement will enable U.S. architects to pursue work internationally.
Seattle, WA—A new Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the architectural licensing authorities of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand will enable architects to earn reciprocal licenses abroad.
Spearheaded by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the arrangement was signed by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), and was approved by U.S. licensing boards at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting. To implement the MRA, a minimum of 28 U.S. licensing boards will need to sign the arrangement by December 31, 2016.
“The new arrangement recognizes each country’s rigorous path to licensure and commitment to protecting the public’s safety,” said NCARB President Dennis S. Ward, FAIA, NCARB. “In an increasingly global marketplace, this arrangement will benefit architects seeking to expand their careers internationally.”
This decision was enacted by NCARB’s Board of the Directors in January and is the result of over two years of research and negotiation by a special evaluation team appointed by former President Dale McKinney, FAIA, NCARB. A comparative analysis revealed that the path to licensure in Australia and New Zealand parallels U.S. requirements, with a strong emphasis on the three pillars of licensure: accredited education, structured experience, and comprehensive examination.
Inspired by a similar agreement with Canada, U.S. architects interested in earning a license in Australia or New Zealand must meet the following requirements:
-6,000 hours (approximately three years) of post-licensure experience in the home country Validation of licensure in good standing from the home authority
-Citizenship or lawful permanent residence in the home country
-Licensure in the home country not gained through foreign reciprocity
To learn more about earning a license to practice architecture abroad, visit www.ncarb.org/international.
NCARB Partners with AIAS to Improve Accessible Design in Underserved Communities
Through a series of grants and mentorship opportunities, NCARB will help support architecture students involved with the AIAS Freedom by Design program.
Washington, DC—Architecture students across the country will have improved access to the tools and resources needed to enhance their communities, thanks to a new partnership between the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).
During the 2016-2017 school year, NCARB will support the AIAS and its Freedom by Design program by providing local chapters with grants for building materials, as well as mentorship opportunities with members of state licensing boards and local architecture firms. Developed by the AIAS, the volunteer-based program empowers architecture students to improve the safety and accessibility of homes, community spaces, and playgrounds through sensitive design.
“NCARB is honored to support a program that prepares the next generation of architects for real-world practice while giving back to the community,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong. “Through Freedom by Design, students can see firsthand how their future profession can improve the public’s welfare.”
To launch the partnership, AIAS leadership and students from the University of Oregon hosted a design charrette at NCARB’s Annual Business Meeting in Seattle. Licensing board members brainstormed solutions to an upcoming project with Mercy Corps Northwest, which will help inform students’ efforts in their community.
“Freedom by Design is one of the best available opportunities for students to acquire real-world experience in design, construction, project management, budgeting, client and consultant relations, teamwork, and leadership,” said AIAS Executive Director Nick Serfass, AIA, CAE. “Teaming with NCARB to support the growth and development of Freedom by Design means supporting the growth and development of future architects.”
Students who participate in Freedom by Design can use their experience to satisfy requirements for the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), the program designed to guide licensure candidates through the early stages of their career.
To learn more about Freedom by Design, visit www.aias.org.
About NCARB
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB assists its member registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects.
NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. In order to achieve these goals, the Council develops and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to Member Boards a process for certifying the qualifications of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of Member Boards before public and private agencies. NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada.