Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, architectural practice is no longer limited to the country where you were initially licensed. The Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) allows you to expand your professional opportunities internationally, facilitating career mobility in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

MRA Overview

This MRA was developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), and the Comité Mexicano Para la Práctica Internacional de la Arquitectura (COMPIAR). It provides a pathway for qualified architects to obtain reciprocal licensure in the participating jurisdictions of these three countries.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can use the MRA to broaden your career while maintaining the high standards of competency, ethics, and public protection that guide the architecture profession.

Before you begin your application, review the eligibility requirements and application instructions below to better understand the process of applying for licensure through the MRA.

Note: If you are licensed in the U.S. and are only interested in becoming licensed in Canada, or if you are licensed in Canada and are only interested in becoming licensed in the U.S., please pursue reciprocal licensure through the Canada/U.S. Mutual Recognition Agreement, rather than this Tri-National MRA.

For detailed information on the MRA—including eligibility requirements, the application process, and a checklist for applicants from each country—read the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA Manual.

Download Manual

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for reciprocal licensure through this agreement, you must:

Have an active license/registration and in good standing in your home country
Hold a degree in architecture from an architecture program accredited by ANPADEH, NAAB, or CACB, or a recognized equivalent accepted as satisfying the education component in your home country
Have a minimum of five years of post-licensure experience, at least two of which must be earned while in responsible control, in the country where the applicant was initially licensed
U.S. architects must hold an NCARB Certificate
Mexican architects must hold a CONARC Certificate

Note: Architects who have become licensed in their home country through another mutual recognition agreement are not eligible under this agreement.

Application Overview

The Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA involves several steps, including submission of an application form, completion and review of a dossier, and an interview. Keep in mind, all documents must be submitted in the official language of the host jurisdiction. After completing all the required steps and submitting a final Attestation of Good Standing, you can apply for licensure in the country where you plan to become an architect.

Review the steps in more detail.

Getting Started

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in applying for reciprocal licensure through this agreement, please contact the regulatory organization representing the country in which you were initially licensed.

Canada: ROAC Administrator License, Office of the Registrar, Camelia Bostan (officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca)
Mexico: CONARC Executive Coordinator Arq. Cert. Honorato Fernando Carrasco Mahr (conarc@fcarm.org.mx)
United States: NCARB’s International Team (MRA@ncarb.org)

NCARB Fees

Review our NCARB fees page for more information regarding fees for the Mutual Recognition Agreement with Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Additional fees may be assessed by the individual state, provincial, or territorial authorities for initial licensure and license renewal.