Listen to the first episode of the second season of the NCARB Podcast. This episode dives into the history of architectural licensure and regulation in the United States—from the first state licensing board in Illinois to NCARB’s current national programs for initial and reciprocal licensure.
Hosted by NCARB Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Data Andy McIntyre, this episode includes an interview with FY26 NCARB President Edward T. Marley, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP. President Marley provides an overview of the Pathways to Practice initiative and its goal of creating a more accessible yet equally rigorous licensure process.
Then, McIntyre and Assistant Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Data Amanda Pica discuss the history of architectural licensure and regulation in the U.S., including NCARB’s formation in 1919. The podcast also dives into the evolution of NCARB’s programs for initial and reciprocal licensure—such as how states first adopted a national exam in the 1960s that ultimately became today’s Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and apprenticeship requirements turned into the Intern Development Program (IDP), which is now the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®).
About This Podcast
Season two of the NCARB Podcast focuses on our ongoing Pathways to Practice initiative, which aims to create a more accessible yet equally rigorous licensure process. This podcast series explores the current history of architectural licensure and regulation in the United States, as well as the evolution of NCARB’s current education, experience, and examination licensure requirements. It also provides a preview into the future of architectural licensure: a competency-based framework that allows for several different types of assessments to ensure that qualified candidates can enter the profession, regardless of their professional or educational background.
Don’t miss an episode and catch up on season one—which focused on NCARB by the Numbers—by subscribing to the NCARB Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.
