The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) administers the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect program that is described in Chapter 3 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects.

An APEC Architect from an economy other than Canada may go through the process described below on an expedited basis as many of the eligibility requirements have been fulfilled by virtue of being placed on the APEC Register in the home economy.

Chapter 3 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects reads as follows:

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION OF FOREIGN ARCHITECTS

1. General. A “Foreign Architect” is an individual who holds a current registration, license or certificate in good standing in a country other than the United States or Canada allowing him/her to engage in the unlimited practice of architecture (defined as the ability to provide any architectural services on any type of building.) A Foreign Architect may be granted an NCARB Certificate under a mutual recognition agreement ratified by the Member Boards or under the procedures set forth in this Chapter. Such Certificate shall mean that NCARB recommends registration be granted to the Certificate holder by any NCARB Member Board without further examination of credentials.
   
2. Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects (BEFA). Foreign Architects credentialed in countries NCARB determines offer reasonable reciprocal credentialing opportunities for U.S. architects may apply for NCARB certification through the BEFA process set forth in this Section. The application and all necessary documentation including the transcript and the dossier as well as the interview must be in English.

Foreign Architects who cannot meet the requirements below can apply for NCARB certification by meeting the requirements established in Chapters 1 or 2.

STEP 1: ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for NCARB certification through the BEFA process a Foreign Architect must:

1. Describe the process by which he/she was credentialed or submit information describing the credentialing process from the credentialing authority that granted the credential. The applicant is required to arrange for independent verification by the credentialing authority directly to NCARB showing that the applicant’s credential has been granted and is currently in good standing;
   
2. Have graduated with a professional degree in architecture from an accredited/validated/officially recognized architecture program. The BEFA applicant is required to describe such program or submit information describing the program from the accreditation/validation/recognition authority. The applicant is required to have an official transcript of his/her educational record sent directly to NCARB from the school. Where there is doubt about the nature of the professional degree, an Educational Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) evaluation may be required;
   
3. Have completed a minimum of seven (7) years of comprehensive practice, described below, over which he/she exercised responsible control, also described below, in the foreign country in which he/she is credentialed; and
   
4. 4. Be credentialed in a foreign country that has a formal record-keeping mechanism for disciplinary actions in the practice of architecture. The applicant is required to describe the process by which and the reasons for which disciplinary actions may be taken against architects and the system in which these actions are recorded, or to submit information provided by the disciplinary authority in this regard. The applicant shall secure a written statement from his/her credentialing authority stating that the applicant either has no record of a disciplinary action or if such record exists, describing such action and its current status. This statement must be sent directly to NCARB from the credentialing authority.

STEP 2: APPLICATION
The applicant must:

1. File a Council Record application and pay appropriate fees prescribed by NCARB, after which initial eligibility under (1), (2) and (4) of Step One will be determined by NCARB staff; and
   
2. Provide all requested documents in order to compile his/her Council Record.

STEP 3: DOSSIER

Upon completion of his/her Council Record and confirmation of initial eligibility for certification through the BEFA process, an applicant must submit a dossier for review by an NCARB committee to determine satisfaction of (3) of Step One and to demonstrate competence to independently practice architecture in the U.S. The dossier must:

1. Be prepared in a format specified by NCARB;
   
2. Contain a resume that outlines the applicant’s comprehensive practice experience in such foreign country and lists the significant projects over which the applicant exercised responsible control;
   
3. Demonstrate competence to independently practice architecture, while protecting the public health, safety and welfare, through drawings, photographs and descriptions of a minimum of three such projects (other than one- and two-family dwellings, farm buildings and structures or additions not requiring governmental building permits). “Comprehensive practice” means practice in responsible control in all of the following areas:
   
   • Pre-Design
   • General Structures
   • Lateral Forces
   • Mechanical and Electrical Systems
   • Building Design/Materials and Methods
   • Construction Documents and Services
   • Site Planning
   • Building Planning
   • Building Technology
   
   Responsible control” means that amount of control over and detailed knowledge of the content of technical submissions during their preparation as is ordinarily exercised by U.S. registered architects applying the required professional standard of care. The applicant must describe the nature of his/her responsible control over each of the projects in each of the areas. The applicant should also annotate the drawings of such projects describing the general nature of modifications, if any, necessary to comply with typical U.S. building codes and laws; and
   
4. Include any valid international credential bearing on the architect’s comprehensive practice experience or competence, such as a designation as an APEC Architect.

STEP 4: INTERVIEW

If the dossier meets all requirements, the applicant will be invited for an interview before an NCARB committee. The interview will be conducted in English without a translator.

The purpose of the interview is to verify

1. The applicant’s responsibility over the development, management and implementation of each submitted project;
   
2. The applicant’s understanding of U.S. licensing and professional conduct requirements; and
   
3. The applicant’s knowledge of U.S. building codes and laws.

After the interview the applicant will be notified of the committee’s decision. A successful applicant will receive the NCARB Certificate assuming all other requirements have been met. An unsuccessful applicant may elect to repeat the application process, including payment of all fees. If a candidate is found to be deficient in one or more areas of comprehensive practice, the committee may allow the applicant to take one or more relevant divisions of the ARE. A passing grade will be treated as remedying the deficiency in question.”