Washington, DC – The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) have released the latest results from the most recent Building on Belonging survey revealing that nearly half of respondents said their firm was not very supportive of their Architecture Experience Program® (AXP)® progress. Additionally, candidates of color reported less access to important resources.
The second Building on Belonging survey explored the levels of support firms provided AXP candidates and how this impacted their ability to complete the program.
The survey identified two related issues that impacted AXP candidates:
- Over half of candidates indicated their firm was not fully supportive of their completion of the AXP and did not always provide important resources, such as documented expectations for supervisors.
- Supervisor relationships also varied, with a 12 percentage point disparity between white and Black or African American respondents when asked if their supervisor provided them with mentorship opportunities
These findings will inform NCARB’s and NOMA’s work to develop resources that help firms and employees navigate the experience program. Read the full report.
The Building on Belonging series of surveys and accompanying action items follows the Baseline on Belonging study launched jointly by NCARB and NOMA in 2020.
NCARB is in the middle of a multi-year effort to re-envision the process of becoming an architect. Over the next several years, NCARB will explore how best to measure and assess competency on the path to licensure—including opportunities to improve how candidates earn experience and make the pathways to satisfying the core licensure requirements more flexible. The findings from this survey and the following surveys will help inform this work.
To read past NCARB and NOMA reports, visit ncarb.org/belong.
About NCARB
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate. Connect with NCARB on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
About the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) was formed over 50 years ago to represent the needs of African American architects. Founded in 1971, the purpose of NOMA was to bolster and provide support for Black licensed architects around the country. Today, NOMA is a haven for architects of all origins who seek inclusion in the design industry. We continue to advocate for the licensure of African American architects (who account for only two percent of all licensed architects today), as well as those from other underrepresented backgrounds.
NOMA has 43 professional chapters and 121 student chapters, National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) — mentored by regional NOMA chapters. NOMA and NOMAS membership is predominantly African-American, with other minority members including Native American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, East Indian, and Asian, as well as an increasing segment of non-minority members who support NOMA’s mission. NOMA supports its student members by providing mentorship, scholarships, and job opportunities to ensure their successful transition into the profession. www.noma.net
