Understanding the NCARB Certification versus Licensure

The journey to becoming an architect requires an intense process of education, mentoring, and accreditation. This includes both steps that are absolutely necessary to label oneself an “architect” and also supplemental steps to improve one’s career, enhance job prospects, engage with the community and establish a competitive edge.

Sometimes, young architectural students become confused about the different steps in the accreditation process–including what is necessary versus supplemental. That includes the difference between meeting state and national requirements for licensing and certifying oneself with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). 

Getting Official Versus Earning Street Cred

To summarize, before any young architect can even think about working in the field professionally, a long series of steps must be undertaken that ends with testing and licensure. However, even after those steps are completed, a threat looms: finding gainful employment. That’s where professional engagement comes into play. This includes joining an organization like NCARB. 

To put it simply: NCARB opens doors. For example, it opens licensure opportunities beyond the U.S. borders and provides access to continuing education, both of which could be necessary to work in particular firms. Further, NCARB provides opportunities to engage with the community and build your reputation, to help turn you into an architect every firm wants in their ranks. 

Confusion surrounding the NCARB and licensure requirements may be due to NCARB’s close involvement with the process of becoming an architect. NCARB develops the actual tests required for becoming a licensed architect and oversees internship processes through the Architectural Experience Program.

Despite the fact that an architectural student is going to be hearing the acronym NCARB everywhere, becoming a member of NCARB and earning your official license are two different things. The process of completing an internship or finishing the required examinations does not make someone automatically an NCARB member. 

In the United States, people debate about which path requires the most certifications and steps to licensure: doctors, lawyers, or architects. In all of these paths, one can expect a long process of examinations and endless work hours.

But, even at the end of it all, there are still more architects than jobs, and a lot of competition is inevitable. Therefore, even if a new architect feels exhausted from so many certifications and processes, it’s wise to consider adding one more certification to the list by joining NCARB. 

One Must Start at the Beginning…

NCARB requires new members to have first completed the entire rest of their journey–minus actual employment in a firm. This makes NCARB an excellent option for recent licensed graduates looking for a place to develop their potential. 

To make the process clear: an aspiring architect begins through education, earning minimally a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), which is typically a five-year program and is quite intense as far as undergraduate university degrees are concerned. 

With the completion of the BArch (or perhaps a MArch: the Master of Architecture), the next step is the completion of internship training hours. Different states have different internship requirements, so it’s important to research ahead of time with your state’s architectural board. This is overseen by the Architectural Experience Program, and the criteria for completion include finishing 3,740 documented hours on a structured educational path. 

Eventually, after a long saga of working full-time internship hours, it’s possible to branch out to make your own way in the world as a licensed, registered architect. This means passing the Architect Registration Examination, which was also developed by NCARB. This includes multiple tests that must be passed, including seven divisions that range from multiple choice to creating layouts using a CAD-like program. 

Finally, at the very end of the process, you’ll need to pay a fee with your state and show you’ve completed all the requirements, thus earning you the initials R.A. (Registered Architect) or AIA (American Institute of Architects) after your name. And, like other dedicated professions (doctors or lawyers) you’re likely to require continued educational hours to keep your license renewed. 

Now That You’re a Licensed Architect…

With all of the above areas taken care of, you’ve likely finished all the requirements needed for NCARB certification. Which, as a quick recap, includes: 

• Your degree.
• Your internship experience via passing the AXP.
• Passing the examination (ARE).
• And receiving your license from a U.S. registration board.

Now, there are a couple of potential issues architects can face when seeking NCARB certification. Some applicants hold degrees that are not accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). In this event, NCARB will require additional requirements and educational alternatives. This may involve documenting experience beyond the AXP requirements. 

Another option is to submit an NCARB Certificate Portfolio. This requires at least 3 years of continued licensure and education other than (beyond) your four-year architectural degree. 

Making it to the End of Your Journey

As career development counselors may point out, once you’re both a licensed architect and a member of NCARB, it’s up to the new architect how to best utilize their options.

One of the great advantages of NCARB is that it’s a non-profit organization that provides events and networking possibilities that would not be available anywhere else. The very act of engaging with the community and rubbing shoulders with experienced architects could be the defining point that helps a new architect land a dream job. 

While it is possible to succeed as an architect without joining NCARB, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to limit one’s options. However, at the same time, being a member of NCARB without utilizing its benefits and merely having it as an extra box to tick on a resume may not be the best strategy, either.

Ultimately, though, it’s up to the new architect to decide where to pool their resources and how to best present themselves to the world to land an ideal, high paying job at a top-notch firm.