Paths to Certification

The NCARB Certificate is a valuable credential for architects that facilitates reciprocal licensure across the 54 U.S. jurisdictions and several countries, among other benefits. To qualify for certification, applicants must meet NCARB’s education, experience, and examination standards and be licensed in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

Following approval from the state licensing boards at the 2016 Annual Business Meeting, NCARB launched two new alternative paths to certification in FY17: the education alternative and the foreign architect path to certification. Together, they ensure that career advancement remains a possibility for architects from diverse career paths.

Education Alternative

The new education alternative includes two options for architects without a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), replacing the former Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program. Depending on educational background, applicants can satisfy the education requirement by:

• Documenting Two Times AXP—Architects who hold a bachelor’s degree in an architecture-related program must document two times the required hours for each of the Architectural Experience Program’s™ (AXP™) six areas.
• Submitting an NCARB Certificate Portfolio—Architects with any other degree or no higher education must submit a portfolio of past work addressing unsatisfied areas of the NCARB Education Standard.

Foreign Path to Certification

On July 1, 2016, NCARB launched a new path to certification for foreign architects, replacing the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Program. This revised path allows individuals licensed in a foreign country to meet the requirements for licensure in the United States by   completing the AXP and passing the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®)—ensuring that foreign applicants are held to the same rigorous standard as U.S. licensure candidates. The path eliminates the need for foreign architects to prepare a dossier for committee review, participate in an interview, and document seven years of credentialed practice. It is also offered at no additional cost to active NCARB Record holders, removing the fees associated with the
BEFA program.

Thanks to the simplified process and reduced fees, the volume of enrollees for the first year of these new programs has already exceeded double the volume of the 19-year history of both the former BEA and BEFA programs. With these new options, we’ve made certification available to more architects—while maintaining the standards needed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

AXP Supervisors

Architects serving as AXP supervisors and mentors play a huge role in the licensure process, and the relationship between candidates and their supervisors has long been a topic of conversation for NCARB. This year, we collaborated with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to conduct a survey investigating supervisors’ and candidates’ perceptions of each other. The survey focused on asking each group about their perceptions on obtaining licensure,
firm support along the path to licensure, and the relationship between the candidate and
their supervisor.

Resiliency

In June 2016, NCARB President Kristine A. Harding, NCARB, AIA, created a new work group to examine how NCARB’s mission and programs can encourage and promote awareness regarding sustainable design, energy conservation, and disaster mitigation. The Resiliency Work Group met throughout FY17, issuing an inspiring statement of purpose and recommending actions for further consideration by NCARB committees. We will continue to explore how resilient and sustainable design can be incorporated into NCARB programs in FY18 and beyond.

Licensure Across Borders

A new Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the architectural licensing authorities of the United States, Australia, and New Zealand took effect on January 1, 2017. Approved by state licensing boards at the 2016 NCARB Annual Business Meeting, the MRA provides U.S. architects with the opportunity to earn a reciprocal license in Australia and New Zealand. To take advantage of the arrangement, architects must hold the NCARB Certificate and have 6,000 hours of post-licensure experience in their home country.