The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), and the Comité Mexicano para la Práctica Internacional de la Arquitectura (COMPIAR), provides a pathway for qualified architects to pursue reciprocal licensure across participating jurisdictions in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Qualifications

To be eligible for reciprocal licensure through this agreement, you must:

  • Be licensed and in good standing in a participating jurisdiction in Canada, Mexico, or the United States. Participating licensing boards may have jurisdiction-specific requirements.  
  • Hold a degree in architecture from an architecture program accredited by the Asociación Nacional de Programas Académicos en Arquitectura y Disciplinas del Espacio Habitado (ANPADEH), Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), or National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), or a recognized equivalent accepted as satisfying the education component in your home country. 
  • Have a minimum of five years of post-licensure experience, at least two of which must be earned while in responsible control in the country where you were initially licensed. 
  • U.S. architects must hold an NCARB Certificate. 
  • Mexican architects must hold an ENCONARQ+EA Certificate. 

Architects who have become licensed in their home country through another mutual recognition agreement are not eligible under this agreement.

For detailed information on the MRA—including eligibility requirements, the application process, and a checklist for applicants from each country—read the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA Manual.

Download Manual

Note: If you meet the necessary eligibility requirements, plan to become licensed in a participating jurisdiction, and are licensed in the U.S. and only interested in becoming licensed in Canada, or if you are licensed in Canada and are only interested in becoming licensed in the U.S., please apply for reciprocal licensure through the Canada/U.S. Mutual Recognition Agreement, rather than this Tri-National MRA. Eligibility is not guaranteed, and participation varies by jurisdiction. 

How to Pursue Licensure in Canada, Mexico, or the U.S.

To complete the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA:

  1. Eligibility—Review the program and eligibility requirements outlined in the Tri-National Manual. You are required to have an active certificate/license with your home country before applying for the Tri-National MRA. 
  2. Application—Complete and submit the application form, along with an Attestation of Good Standing. Your home country will review your application to determine that you meet the eligibility requirements, prior to transmitting your documents to the host jurisdiction. 
  3. Dossier—Prepare and submit your dossier for preliminary review by the host organization demonstrating competency in the three areas outlined in the agreement.  You dossier must be submitted in the official language of the host country. Once your dossier meets all the requirements and is formatted correctly, it will be reviewed by a panel of architects who are licensed in the host jurisdiction.
  4. Interview—Once the dossier is approved, you will be invited to an interview with the review panel. The interview will take place through a video conference platform and will be conducted in the official language of the host jurisdiction, without the assistance of an interpreter. You will be notified of the outcome of the interview via email. 
  5. Licensure—After completing the steps above and submitting a final Attestation of Good Standing, you can apply for licensure in the country where you plan to become an architect. The host organization will provide information on obtaining reciprocal licensure. 

Forms and Documentation

You will need to complete the following forms throughout the application process: 

For assistance obtaining required forms or documents in French, please contact officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca. For assistance obtaining required forms or documents in Spanish, please contact presidente@enconarqea.org.mx.

Pour obtenir de l’aide afin de vous procurer les formulaires ou documents requis en français, veuillez communiquer avec officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca.

Para obtener ayuda para conseguir los formularios o documentos requeridos en español, comuníquese con presidente@enconarqea.org.mx. 

All submitted documents must be in the official language of the jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure.

Fees

Fees for completing the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA are payable to the host organization. Each payment is due at specific stages throughout the process. 

  • Transmittal fee: Transmittal fees vary by organization and are payable to the home organization. Learn more about NCARB’s transmittal fees. 
  • Application fee: $500 USD 
  • Dossier review: $2,000 USD
  • Interview: $1,000 USD