The NCARB Certificate is an individual professional credential issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) that signifies an architect has met NCARB’s established competency requirements for education, experience, examination, and licensure as defined in the NCARB Certification Guidelines. Learn how to use the NCARB Certificate as a professional credential, including requirements for its accurate and appropriate representation.

Permitted Use of the Credential

An individual who holds an active NCARB Certificate in good standing may use the designation “NCARB” following their name in professional and public contexts. References to the NCARB Certificate must be accurate, current, and clearly associated with the individual Certificate holder.

A Certificate holder may describe themselves as “NCARB certified” or “an NCARB Certificate holder,” or use other language that accurately reflects their certification status.

  • Examples of appropriate use include:
    • John Doe, AIA, NCARB
    • Jane Smith is NCARB certified.
    • Three employees of XYZ Firm hold the NCARB Certificate.

Relationship to Licensure and Practice

The NCARB Certificate is not a license to practice architecture. Authorization to practice architecture is granted solely by individual licensing boards. Holding the NCARB Certificate does not confer the right to practice architecture independent of licensure.

To hold and use the NCARB Certificate, an individual must maintain at least one active, valid license in a U.S. jurisdiction, as required by the NCARB Certification Guidelines.

Any reference to licensure and NCARB certification must clearly distinguish between licensure status and certification and must not imply that NCARB grants or substitutes for licensure.

Prohibited Use and Misrepresentation

The NCARB Certificate must not be used or represented in any manner that is false, misleading, or deceptive, or that could reasonably create confusion regarding the scope, meaning, or authority of the credential.

Prohibited representations include, but are not limited to, any use that:

  • Implies the NCARB Certificate alone authorizes the practice of architecture
  • Suggests that NCARB licenses, registers, or otherwise authorizes individuals to practice architecture
  • Attributes the NCARB Certificate to an entity (such as a firm) rather than to an individual
  • Is false, misleading, deceptive, or could confuse the public or other professionals about the Certificate holder’s qualifications
  • Uses the NCARB name, acronym, or logo in a manner reserved to NCARB or implies endorsement of a firm, product, service, or entity
  • Continues after the Certificate has lapsed, been suspended, been revoked, or otherwise been terminated

Use by Firms and Organizations

Firms, organizations, and employers may reference the NCARB Certificate status of individual employees or principals, provided such references are accurate and do not imply that the firm or organization itself holds the NCARB Certificate.

Ownership and Use of NCARB Marks and Logos

The NCARB name, acronym, certification marks, and logos are the exclusive property of NCARB. Use of any NCARB mark or logo is permitted only as expressly authorized by NCARB and only for purposes consistent with the NCARB Certification Guidelines.

NCARB marks and logos may not be altered, modified, or used in a manner that implies endorsement, approval, or sponsorship by NCARB of any individual, firm, product, or service.

Verification of Certification Status

NCARB maintains an official public directory for verification of an individual’s NCARB Certificate status. Certificate holders are responsible for ensuring that any representations of certification are consistent with NCARB’s official records.

Enforcement and Corrective Action

NCARB may investigate alleged misuse or misrepresentation of the NCARB Certificate or NCARB marks. Violations of this section may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to notice of misuse, required correction of representations, suspension, or revocation of the NCARB Certificate, in accordance with Section 5 of the NCARB Certification Guidelines, NCARB Professional Conduct Committee: Rules of Procedure, and applicable NCARB policies.

Questions or reports of credential misuse should be directed to customerservice@ncarb.org.