Our latest video in the How it Works series, U.S. Licensure for International Applicants, explores the different pathways for international applicants to earn an architecture license in the United States. Check out some of the video highlights:

  1. The first thing to understand if you’re pursuing an architecture license in the United States is that there is no national license. To practice architecture in the United States, you must have a license from the U.S. jurisdiction where you want to practice—the jurisdictions include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  
     
  2. Though the licensure process differs between jurisdictions, most licensing boards require completion of the same three core components: education, experience, and examination. The two main paths for international applicants covered in the video—the International Architect Path to NCARB Certification and the internationally educated path—are ways to fulfill the education component of the standard path to licensure in the United States. Note: Some jurisdictions—like California and New York—accept additional work experience as a way to meet the education requirement. For either path, you must still complete experience and examination requirements. Once all required components are completed and any jurisdiction-specific requirements are met, the licensing board issues your license to practice architecture in their jurisdiction.
     
  3. For every path the video covers, remember that your first step is always to check whether the jurisdiction where you plan to become licensed accepts your path, as well as any additional requirements beyond the standard education, experience, and examination. You can learn more about the requirements in your jurisdiction by using NCARB’s interactive licensing requirements tool. For specific questions and to confirm the requirements in your preferred jurisdiction, contact your jurisdiction's licensing board.

This is the third video in NCARB’s How it Works video series, which demystifies NCARB's processes, including the exam, the experience program, and more. Watch other videos from the How it Works series.