Balancing multiple projects and communicating with clients can make it challenging to find time for meaningful professional development and earning hours toward your annual HSW continuing education (CE) requirement. Fortunately, NCARB's continuing education courses are designed to fit into your busy schedule while offering expert instruction on some of the most pressing topics in practice. Check out our top CE courses from 2025!
- The History of the Building Envelope | 1.75 HSW LU
The building envelope represents the most fundamental cultural act of humans: the separation of the interior from the external environment. The first course in this eight-part series unpacks the historical development of walls, windows, and doors through a critical examination of historical ruptures and traces how the envelope evolved from a primitive barrier to a complex mediator of cultural context, environment, and climate. Earn 1.75 HSW LUs >
- Adaptive Reuse: An Alternative to New Construction | 2 HSW LU
Adaptive reuse is increasingly common because it preserves important historical features of existing buildings and is inherently sustainable. This course addresses the social well-being fostered by preserving and revitalizing existing urban fabric, understanding the intent of and complying with regulatory challenges, and supporting sustainability through reuse and systems upgrades while improving accessibility to existing buildings. Earn 2 HSW LUs >
- Design for Net-Zero Energy and Carbon, Part 1 | 1.5 HSW LU
The built environment is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, creating 42% of the world’s CO2 emissions. But good news—architects interested in reducing the environmental impact of their work have the opportunity to pursue net-zero energy and net-zero carbon building designs. This course, part one of a seven-part series, examines the relationship between energy use and carbon emissions, plus teaches the relevant codes, standards, and certifications for architects designing for net-zero energy and net-zero carbon. Earn 1.5 HSW LUs >
- Barrier-Free Design and the 2010 ADA Standards | 1.5 HSW LU
Accessibility in design is a CE topic required by some jurisdictions and critical to the initial and ongoing competency of all architects. It is also critical to the equity of the built environment. By taking the course “Barrier-Free Design and the 2010 ADA Standards,” you can learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), review current ADA standards, and learn from common accessibility mistakes made in new construction. Earn 1.5 HSW LUs >
- Comparing U.S. and Canadian Accessibility Regulations | 1.25 HSW LU
If you’re planning to practice in both Canada and the U.S., this course is an essential follow-up to Barrier-Free Design. The course explains the key differences between the 2020 National Building Code of Canada and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in the U.S. It also demonstrates how the seven principles of universal design can enhance your projects in both countries. Earn 1.25 HSW LUs >
And don’t forget—NCARB Certificate holders have unlimited access to our library of free CE courses, and we add new courses each month. Learn how you can get NCARB-certified.
