Incoming NCARB President Terry L. Allers, FAIA, NCARB, Hon. FCARM, announced he will prioritize efforts to develop new training materials for licensure candidates, supervisors, and mentors. Allers, a small-firm owner and supervisor from Fort Dodge, Iowa, announced plans to provide architects with a suite of tools to help guide candidates through the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®).

Preparing the Next Generation for Success

“At the top of my list is a robust effort to train AXP supervisors to be mentors and coaches,” said Allers during the 2019 Centennial Annual Business Meeting. “I believe this is fundamental to the ethics of practicing architecture and vital to positioning the next generation to be best prepared for the challenges of the future.”

According to the 2019 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, which will be released in July, 53 percent of AXP reports are reviewed and approved within three days. However, a significant portion of reports aren’t reviewed for at least two weeks—a sign that supervisors could benefit from additional training on NCARB’s updated programs and reporting tools. 

Allers stated that over the next year, the organization will release supervisor continuing education courses that count toward Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) requirements; guidelines that outline best practices; training videos; and more. To jumpstart this effort, NCARB recently hosted a live webinar and released a brochure on AXP Candidate and Supervisor Expectations.

Positioning for the Future of Licensure

Allers also updated meeting attendees on the progress of several volunteer initiatives tied to the future of practice and regulation. The Futures Task Force, which launched in 2017, will evolve into a regular committee charged with exploring how emerging technologies might impact architectural licensure.

In the coming year, Allers noted that the Model Law Task Force will share an updated Model Law and Model Regulations for review by membership. The guideline serves as a vital resource for licensing boards and state legislatures, outlining key definitions, national standards for registration and renewal, disciplinary procedures, and more.

“In the years to come, I hope that my efforts on collaboration and mentoring will be foundational to a stronger connection to our collateral colleagues, our emerging professionals, and all who have a stake in the effective regulation of this profession we love.”