Washington, DC—The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have an ongoing collaboration to support licensure for the next generation of architects, most recently at AIAS’ 2026 FORUM in Denver, Colorado. NCARB President Edward T. Marley, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CEO Michael J. Armstrong, and NCARB staff presented to AIAS members from around the world at this year’s design and career development conference.
AIAS and NCARB have also partnered to support Freedom By Design™ (FBD), a community service program that uses the talents of architecture students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions. FBD provides real-world experience to licensure candidates through working with clients, learning from local architects and contractors, and experiencing the practical impacts of architecture and design. FBD projects are eligible—with prior approval of the AIAS chapter—for Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) credit through the Community-Based Design Center/Collaborative opportunity.
In addition, NCARB typically hosts an open house for AIAS Grassroots attendees to tour NCARB’s offices, learn about the licensure process, and share valuable feedback on how NCARB can better support students. AIAS also supports NCARB’s architect licensing advisors program and appoints student licensing advisors to AIAS chapters at colleges and universities across the country. In 2025, NCARB co-hosted a series of webinars with AIAS to provide information and answer live questions on topics such as licensure for international students, completing the AXP and preparing for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) while in school, and more.
NCARB and AIAS will continue to collaborate to ensure that future generations are prepared for architectural licensure.
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 Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
About AIAS
The American Institute of Architecture Students is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to providing unmatched progressive programs, information, and resources on issues critical to architecture and the experience of education. The AIAS aims to promote excellence in architectural education, training, and practice; to foster an appreciation of architecture and related disciplines; to enrich communities in a spirit of collaboration; and to organize students and combine their efforts to advance the art and science of architecture.