Architects can pursue work internationally through our Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between NCARB and the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) (formerly the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA)).
Create Your NCARB Record
Want to become licensed in the U.S.? The first step is starting your NCARB Record!
Qualifications
To be eligible for reciprocal licensure under this agreement, you must:
- Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be licensed and in good standing in a participating United States or Canadian jurisdiction. Participating licensing boards may have jurisdiction-specific requirements.
- For U.S. architects: Hold an active NCARB Certificate.
- Maintain your principal place of practice in a participating jurisdiction.
- Have at least 2,000 hours of post-licensure experience in your home country.
Note: Architects who are licensed/registered in their home country through another international Mutual Recognition Agreement or through the previous Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect program are not eligible under this agreement.
How to Pursue Licensure in Canada
If you are a U.S. architect seeking licensure in Canada, follow the steps below.
- Confirm Eligibility—Review the requirements above and confirm you meet the eligibility requirements. You should also ensure that you are licensed in a participating U.S. jurisdiction.
- Contact the Canadian Licensing Board—Contact the licensing board in the Canadian jurisdiction where you would like to be licensed to ensure that you meet their specific requirements. You can find contact information for each Canadian provincial association through ROAC.
- Contact NCARB—Once you confirm you’re eligible for licensure through the MRA, contact NCARB online or at 202-879-0520. NCARB will request a “Letter of Good Standing” from the board, and then we will forward you the “Attestation” for your records.
- Complete Evaluation—Once NCARB has these documents, we will be able to complete the evaluation and provide you with further instructions.
- Request Transmittal—Log in to your NCARB Record and select “Request Transmittal of your NCARB Record.”
How to Pursue Licensure in the U.S.
If you are a Canadian architect seeking licensure in the United States, follow the steps below.
- Confirm Eligibility— Review the requirements above and confirm you meet the eligibility requirements, and ensure that you are licensed in a participating Canadian jurisdiction. You must also verify that the U.S. jurisdiction where you’re seeking licensure participates in the agreement and make sure you are able to meet any jurisdiction-specific requirements.
- Contact the U.S. Licensing Board—Contact the U.S. licensing board where you would like to be licensed to ensure that you meet their specific requirements. Contact information for the U.S. licensing boards is available on our website.
To learn more about this agreement and the requirements for NCARB certification, read the Certification Guidelines.
Fees
Canadian Architects:
- You will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $500 USD fee.
- You will also need to pay a transmittal fee to have your NCARB Record transmitted to the U.S. jurisdiction where you are seeking licensure.
- Finally, you will need to pay additional licensure fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional licensure fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction.
U.S. Architects:
- You will need to pay a transmittal fee to have your NCARB Record sent to the Canadian jurisdiction of your choice. Canada may charge additional fees.
