During the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) 2025 Annual Business Meeting in Chicago, delegates representing 54 of the Council’s 55 Member Boards, which oversee the practice of architecture in their individual jurisdictions, voted on four resolutions.
[Resolution 2025-01] [Resolution 2025-02] [Resolution 2025-03] [Resolution 2025-04]
Resolution 2025-01: Mutual Recognition Agreement With the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC)
Passed 53-1
RESOLVED, that the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between NCARB, representing the 55 architectural licensing boards of the United States, and the ROAC be and hereby is ratified and approved as published in Appendix A in these resolutions.
FURTHERED RESOLVED, that upon the approval of this MRA by a majority of the Council Member Boards, such MRA will become effective no earlier than 60 calendar days after the execution of the MRA.
Resolution 2025-02: Mutual Reconigition Agreement With the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP)
Passed 53-1
RESOLVED, that the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between NCARB, representing the 55 architectural registration boards of the United States, and SACAP, be and hereby is ratified and approved as published in Appendix C in these resolutions.
FURTHERED RESOLVED, that upon the approval of this MRA by a majority of the Council Member Boards, such MRA will become effective no earlier than 60 calendar days after the execution of the MRA.
Resolution 2025-03: NCARB Certification Guidelines Amendment –International Terminology
Passed 54-0
RESOLVED, that “Section 3: Requirements for Certification of an Architect Licensed in a Foreign Jurisdiction Through Established Mutual Recognition Arrangement/Agreement With NCARB” be retitled as indicated below:
“Section 3: Requirements for Certification of an Architect Licensed in an ForeignInternational Jurisdiction Through Established Mutual Recognition Arrangement/Agreement With NCARB”
FURTHER RESOLVED, that “Section 4: Requirements for Certification of an Architect Credentialed by a Foreign Registration Authority” be revised as indicated below:
“Section 4: Requirements for Certification of an Architect Credentialed by an ForeignInternational Registration Authority
An “ForeignInternational Architect” is an individual who holds a current license or registration in good standing in a country other than the United States or Canada at the point of application, which allows the individual to use the title “architect” and to engage in the unlimited practice of architecture (defined as the ability to provide any architectural services on any type of building in any state, province, territory, or other political subdivision of their national jurisdiction) in that country. A “current registration” may include a license that is eligible for reinstatement upon re-establishment of residency and/or payment of fees. …”
FURTHER RESOLVED, that all instances of the word “foreign” within the Certification Requirements in the NCARB Certification Guidelines be revised to “international” or a derivative thereof, as appropriate, and that any corresponding grammatical edits necessary as a result of such change be made; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon the approval of these proposed changes by an absolute majority of the Council Member Boards, such changes will become effective July 1, 2025.
Resolution 2025-04: NCARB Certification Guidelines Amendment – Education Alternative Eligibility
Passed 53-1
RESOLVED, that Section 2.3: Alternatives to the Education Requirement in the NCARB Certification Guidelines be revised as indicated below:
“2.3 ALTERNATIVES TO THE EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
If you do not hold a degree in architecture as defined in Section 1.3, NCARB will accept completion of either the requirements under Section 2.3A or the requirements under Section 2.3Bof the following to satisfy the education requirement for certification:
2.3A Education Alternative to NCARB Certification
You must have held continuous licensure as an architect for the last three (3) consecutive years in any U.S. jurisdiction with no disciplinary action from any jurisdiction.- You must document additional experience via the Two Times AXP or submit a Certificate Portfolio, depending on your education background as determined by NCARB. …”
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon the approval of the changes by an absolute majority of the Council Member Boards, such changes will become effective January 15, 2026.
