Do you want to become an architect in the United States? Whether you’re licensed abroad or earned your education internationally, there is a path to licensure in the U.S. for you. As an international applicant, you must meet education, experience, and examination requirements to become licensed. Learn more about the licensure requirements for U.S. applicants with our digital booklet, or continue reading below.

Learn More About Licensure

About U.S. Licensure

There is no national license to practice architecture in the United States. The 55 U.S. states and territories, also known as jurisdictions, each have a licensing board. Licensing boards regulate architecture and issue licenses specific to their jurisdiction.

Each licensing board’s rules and regulations are unique, but NCARB offers a resource called the licensing requirements tool to help you understand jurisdiction-specific requirements for licensure. Many jurisdictions have unique requirements for licensure, such as passing a jurisdiction-specific exam, completing continuing education courses for licensure renewal, and more. 

In addition, some jurisdictions don’t accept some or all of the licensure paths below, so be sure to check the licensing requirements tool before you get started!

International Education

If you earned an education outside the United States or Canada, and you don’t hold a license to practice architecture anywhere in the world, you may be eligible for the internationally educated path to licensure. As part of this path, you may be required to obtain an Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) evaluation.

Administered by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), EESA compares your academic transcript to the NCARB Education Standard. You may need to complete additional coursework to satisfy any deficiencies in your international education. EESA includes a fee, which is paid to the NAAB through your NCARB Record.

Some jurisdictions don’t accept EESA—double-check through the licensing requirements tool. 

Get Started With EESA

  1. Navigate to my.ncarb.org and create an NCARB Record.
  2. Reach out to our Customer Relations team, who can review your education history and provide next steps.

You will also need to complete the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) to become licensed in the U.S.

International Licensure: Canada, U.K., Australia, or New Zealand

NCARB holds Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with the licensing authorities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. This accelerated path to licensure does not require you to complete the ARE or AXP, though you may need to fulfill some requirements specific to each MRA to become licensed in the U.S.

Not all U.S. jurisdictions accept MRAs—check the licensing requirements tool to learn more.

Canada

NCARB recently signed a revised MRA with the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), which removed some of the restrictions and requirements for licensure in the previous agreement and made architects who became licensed through additional pathways eligible.

Under the revised agreement, Canadian architects must only be licensed and in good standing in a Canadian province or territory to become licensed in the U.S. To get started, contact ROAC.

Even if you are unlicensed or don’t meet the requirements of the MRA, Canadian applicants have other opportunities to simplify licensure process in the U.S. For example:

  • Many U.S. jurisdictions consider a degree from a Canadian university certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) to be equivalent to the NAAB. Check the licensing requirements tool to learn more.
  • Unlike experience earned in other countries outside the U.S., experience hours that were approved by a Canadian architect fall under AXP experience setting A. Canadian applicants can complete all their experience hours for U.S. licensure while working for an architect licensed in Canada.

United Kingdom

To be eligible for licensure in the U.S., you must:

  • Hold a valid license/registration in good standing from the United Kingdom.
  • Have the right to work in the locality in which you are seeking licensure (typically granted through a visa or other work immigration route).
  • Hold an active Certificate from ARB.

To get started, contact the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

Australia and New Zealand

To be eligible for licensure in the U.S., you must:

  • Be licensed and in good standing in a participant jurisdiction in Australia or New Zealand.
  • For Australian architects: Hold a current AACA Statement.

To get started, contact the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) or the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

International Architect Path

If you’re licensed outside the U.S. and you don’t qualify for licensure through an MRA, you can still use the International Architect Path to Certification. To be eligible for this path:

  • Your license must be active and in good standing.
  • Your license must allow unlimited practice—the design of all types and sizes of buildings.
  • Your country’s licensing/registration authority must have a system for tracking disciplinary action for architects.
  • You must not have a record of disciplinary action.
  • Additional requirements are documented in the Certification Guidelines.

How to Apply for Licensure

  1. Use the licensing requirements tool to confirm that your preferred jurisdiction accepts the International Architect Path.
  2. Navigate to my.ncarb.org and create an NCARB Record, and indicate your interest in the International Architect Path.
  3. Have your official academic transcript and Credential Verification Form sent to NCARB so we can confirm your eligibility. NCARB can’t verify your documents until you’ve established your NCARB Record.

Tip: NCARB has created a checklist that includes a list of all the documentation you’ll need to submit throughout the application process.

You will also need to complete the AXP and the ARE to become licensed in the U.S.

Other Paths to Licensure

If you don’t meet the requirements for any of the paths above, you can still become a U.S. architect! You’ll need to complete the following steps toward licensure:

  1. Earn an education that your preferred jurisdiction accepts. All jurisdictions accept degrees from NAAB-accredited programs (typically a B.Arch. or M.Arch. earned in the U.S.), and some accept other forms of education.
  2. Complete the AXP, which requires 3,740 hours of architectural experience. At least half of those hours must be completed under an architect licensed in the U.S. or Canada, but you can earn up to half your hours working for an architect who is licensed internationally.
  3. Pass the ARE, a six-division exam used to assess your knowledge and skills regarding architecture. You can test in-person at test centers located in the U.S. and internationally, or you can test online from anywhere in the world.
  4. Fulfill any jurisdiction-specific requirements for licensure.

Contact Us

The process of becoming licensed in the U.S. as an international applicant can be challenging, but we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to a href="https://www.ncarb.org/contact-us">contact us with any questions you may have.