Washington, DC—The National Council of Registration Boards (NCARB) has released a new version of the Continuing Education Guidelines, effective today, July 1, 2026, to align the document with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects. Learn more about the changes and download the updated document below.

Download Updated New Guidelines

The Continuing Education Guidelines provide standards for the creation and implementation of continuing education for architects and elaborate on what should be considered eligible for health, safety, and/or welfare (HSW) continuing education (CE) credit.

Approved by the Board of Directors at its April 2026 meeting, the following changes help align the document to the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects:

  • Using the Competency Standard instead of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) CE Standard to define acceptable HSW
  • Updating language under HSW Subjects to better align the document’s conceptual framework with the Competency Standard, while emphasizing that the list of competencies is not intended to limit content that may meet the definition of HSW
  • Adding the Competency Standard as a reference document for each HSW subject area
  • Under each HSW subject area, replacing the list of acceptable topics with a list of relevant competencies, and—where applicable—the sub-bullet of the competency description applicable to the subject area
  • In Practice Management, explicitly identifying two topics as HSW-eligible: effective supervision of licensure candidates and professional ethics

Download and review the updated CE Guidelines.

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.