National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Encyclopedia
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is a nonprofit corporation comprising the legally constituted architectural registration boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as its members. Its mission is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects.
NCARB recommends model law, model regulations, and other guidelines for adoption by its member jurisdictions, but each makes its own laws and registration requirements. As a service to its members, NCARB develops, administers, and maintains the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the Architect Registration Examination
(ARE) as well as facilitates reciprocity between jurisdictions through the NCARB Certificate.
(AIA) convention in Nashville, TN, 15 architects from 13 states came together to form an organization that would become NCARB. Emil Lorch from Ann Arbor, MI, was elected the organization’s first president in May 1920.
As expressed by its founding members, NCARB’s stated goals were:
Additionally, a chief executive officer and two vice presidents lead the headquarters in Washington, DC. The office is split into two divisions, programs and operations. Between 90-100 people are on staff in Washington, DC.
(NAAB). NCARB publishes the NCARB Education Standard as a recommendation to its Member Boards, but requirements often vary between jurisdictions. Those who do not have a degree from a NAAB-accredited program may have their degree evaluated through the NAAB’s Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) if they would like to earn an NCARB Certificate. More information on the education requirement can be found in the NCARB Education Guidelines.
® (ARE®) is required by all U.S. jurisdictions and accepted by 11 Canadian provinces to satisfy examination requirements for licensure. It is a computerized exam that assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to practice architecture independently.
(ARE), or apply for the NCARB Certificate.
The standard requirements for NCARB Certificate are:
There are two alternative ways to earn an NCARB Certificate, the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) and the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) programs. Earning an NCARB Certificate through one of these alternatives is not accepted by all jurisdictions. Architects interested in earning the NCARB Certificate through one of these programs should verify acceptance with the jurisdiction in which they wish to be licensed prior to pursuing certification.
To earn an NCARB Certificate through the BEA program, architects must have an NCARB Record, have their education evaluated through the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA), prepare and submit an education dossier that demonstrates learning through experience to satisfy any education deficiencies, and complete an interview with NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect Committee.
To earn an NCARB Certificate through the BEFA program, architects must have their eligibility verified, prepare an experience dossier that demonstrates a candidate’s knowledge to practice independently and satisfy the examination deficiency, and complete an interview with NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect Committee.
NCARB announced in June 2010 that it will discontinue production of monographs and mini-monographs. Existing inventory will continue to be sold.
NCARB recommends model law, model regulations, and other guidelines for adoption by its member jurisdictions, but each makes its own laws and registration requirements. As a service to its members, NCARB develops, administers, and maintains the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the Architect Registration Examination
Architect Registration Examination
The Architect Registration Examination is the professional licensure examination adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories to assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture...
(ARE) as well as facilitates reciprocity between jurisdictions through the NCARB Certificate.
History
Illinois became the first state in to enact laws regulating the practice of architecture in 1897. In May 1919, during an American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(AIA) convention in Nashville, TN, 15 architects from 13 states came together to form an organization that would become NCARB. Emil Lorch from Ann Arbor, MI, was elected the organization’s first president in May 1920.
As expressed by its founding members, NCARB’s stated goals were:
- To facilitate the exchange of information on examining, licensing, and regulating architects
- To foster uniformity in licensing and practice laws
- To facilitate reciprocal licensing
- To discuss the merits of various examining methods as well as the scope and content of licensing examinations
- To strive to improve the general education standards of the architectural profession in the United States
Organization
NCARB is led by a Board of Directors elected by the member registration boards at its Annual Meeting and Conference each June. It has six officers (president/chair of the Board, first vice president/president-elect, second vice president, treasurer, secretary, and the past president) and eight directors (one from each of the six regions and a member board executive and public directors).Additionally, a chief executive officer and two vice presidents lead the headquarters in Washington, DC. The office is split into two divisions, programs and operations. Between 90-100 people are on staff in Washington, DC.
NCARB Regions
Today, NCARB comprises the registration boards from the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). These boards are organized into six regional conferences:- New England Conference: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Middle-Atlantic Conference: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
- Southern Conference: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virgin Islands
- Mid-Central Conference: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
- Central States Conference: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming
- Western Conference: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Services
Each U.S. jurisdiction grants individuals an architectural license. To become licensed, there are three essential components: education, experience, and examination. NCARB maintains intern and architect records as a service to their customers and their member registration boards. Additionally, NCARB develops and administers the programs most often required to complete jurisdictions’ experience and examination requirements. NCARB also facilitates reciprocity between jurisdictions and acts on behalf of its Member Boards when negotiating international agreements.Education
Most U.S. jurisdictions require a professional degree from a program that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting BoardNational Architectural Accrediting Board
The National Architectural Accrediting Board is the sole authority for accredited US professional degree programs for architecture in the United States, developing standards and procedures to verify that each accredited program meets standards for the appropriate education of architects...
(NAAB). NCARB publishes the NCARB Education Standard as a recommendation to its Member Boards, but requirements often vary between jurisdictions. Those who do not have a degree from a NAAB-accredited program may have their degree evaluated through the NAAB’s Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) if they would like to earn an NCARB Certificate. More information on the education requirement can be found in the NCARB Education Guidelines.
Intern Development Program
All U.S. jurisdictions accept completion of NCARB’s Intern Development Program (IDP) to help satisfy their experience requirements. The IDP is a comprehensive training program that was created to ensure that interns in the architecture profession gain the knowledge and skills required for the independent practice of architecture.Architect Registration Examination
The Architect Registration ExaminationArchitect Registration Examination
The Architect Registration Examination is the professional licensure examination adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories to assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture...
® (ARE®) is required by all U.S. jurisdictions and accepted by 11 Canadian provinces to satisfy examination requirements for licensure. It is a computerized exam that assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to practice architecture independently.
NCARB Record
An NCARB Record is a detailed, verified record of education and training, and is used to establish qualifications for examination, registration, and certification. An architectural intern must have an NCARB Record to participate in the Intern Development Program (IDP), the Architect Registration ExaminationArchitect Registration Examination
The Architect Registration Examination is the professional licensure examination adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories to assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture...
(ARE), or apply for the NCARB Certificate.
NCARB Certificate
The NCARB Certificate facilitates reciprocal registration among all 54 NCARB Member Boards, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for registration in other countries. Although certification does not qualify a person to practice architecture in a jurisdiction, it does signify that he or she has met the highest professional standards established by the registration boards responsible for protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public.The standard requirements for NCARB Certificate are:
- A professional degree from a NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited program. If you were educated in a foreign country, you must have your foreign education evaluated by the National Architectural Accrediting Board through the Education Evaluation Service for Architects (EESA).
- Complete the Intern Development Program (IDP) training requirements.
- Pass all divisions of the Architect Registration ExaminationArchitect Registration ExaminationThe Architect Registration Examination is the professional licensure examination adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories to assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture...
(ARE). - Receive a license to practice from one of the state registration boards.
There are two alternative ways to earn an NCARB Certificate, the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) and the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) programs. Earning an NCARB Certificate through one of these alternatives is not accepted by all jurisdictions. Architects interested in earning the NCARB Certificate through one of these programs should verify acceptance with the jurisdiction in which they wish to be licensed prior to pursuing certification.
Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program
Architects who do not hold a professional architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited architecture program are eligible to apply for an NCARB Certificate through the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) program. To be eligible for the BEA program, architects must hold a current registration from a U.S. registration boards and have comprehensive experience as a registered architect between 6-10 years depending on their educational background.To earn an NCARB Certificate through the BEA program, architects must have an NCARB Record, have their education evaluated through the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA), prepare and submit an education dossier that demonstrates learning through experience to satisfy any education deficiencies, and complete an interview with NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect Committee.
Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Program
Foreign registered architects are eligible to apply for an NCARB Certificate through the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) program. To be eligible for the BEFA program, foreign architects must have graduated with a professional degree from an accredited/validated/officially recognized architecture program, be credentialed in a foreign county, and have completed at least seven years of comprehensive practice as an architect exercising responsible control in the foreign county.To earn an NCARB Certificate through the BEFA program, architects must have their eligibility verified, prepare an experience dossier that demonstrates a candidate’s knowledge to practice independently and satisfy the examination deficiency, and complete an interview with NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect Committee.
Continuing Education
NCARB assists architects in keeping their skills and knowledge up to date through its Professional Development Program of self-study courses. The objective of the NCARB monograph and mini-monograph series is to provide a quality continuing education resource, both economical and convenient, that investigates current and emerging topics of interest to practicing architects. The series explores everything from sustainable design to fire safety in buildings to professional conduct to post-occupancy evaluation. All learning units are Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) units.NCARB announced in June 2010 that it will discontinue production of monographs and mini-monographs. Existing inventory will continue to be sold.
International Practice
NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and is engaged in similar discussions with additional countries. NCARB is also administers the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Architects program in the United States.See also
- Registered Architect
- Intern Development Program
- National Architectural Accrediting BoardNational Architectural Accrediting BoardThe National Architectural Accrediting Board is the sole authority for accredited US professional degree programs for architecture in the United States, developing standards and procedures to verify that each accredited program meets standards for the appropriate education of architects...
- American Institute of ArchitectsAmerican Institute of ArchitectsThe American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
- American Institute of Architecture StudentsAmerican Institute of Architecture StudentsThe American Institute of Architecture Students is an international organization for college-level students of architecture. It is the primary membership and advocacy organization for architecture students in the United States. It is modeled roughly on the professional association called the...
- Association of Collegiate Schools of ArchitectureAssociation of Collegiate Schools of ArchitectureThe Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is a 501 nonprofit, membership association founded in 1912 to advance the quality of architectural education in the United States and abroad....
- Architect Registration ExaminationArchitect Registration ExaminationThe Architect Registration Examination is the professional licensure examination adopted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories to assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture...