Welcome to NCARB
Helping licensure candidates
and architects reach their
career goals.
NCARB Releases New Competency Standard
Developed with input from thousands of practicing architects, the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects establishes 16 knowledge areas, skills, abilities, and behaviors—called competencies—that describe the capabilities necessary at the point of initial licensure for an individual to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
Licensure Requirements
Use our interactive tool to explore licensing requirements in your home state or any of NCARB’s 55 jurisdictions.
Blogs & Press Releases
NCARB Releases New Competency Standard for Architects
The Competency Standard will be used as the foundation for future NCARB programs.
New RAND Study Highlights Gaps Between Architecture Academia and Practice
The Building Impact report identifies gaps in technical skills, career transition support, and accessibility.
What Is NCARB’s Competency Standard, and What Is it For?
Learn how the Competency Standard will impact the future of architectural licensure.
Upcoming Exam Changes: Drag-and-Place Retirement and Provisional Feedback
Learn more about the updates going into effect in April 2025.
NCARB and NOMA Connect With Architecture Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Leadership shares progress on ongoing efforts to explore multiple pathways to licensure with students across the U.S.
AXP Update: Get the Latest AXP Guidelines
As a result of the recent updates to the Experience section of My NCARB in December 2024, NCARB recently retired the My AXP app. To reflect this chang
Start NCARB Record
By creating an NCARB Record, you can keep track of your education, career progress, exam history, and licensing information.
Data & Resources
ARE 5.0 Guidelines
Includes exam policies, scheduling instructions, and more for candidates testing with PSI. Updated September 2024.
AXP Guidelines
This document includes steps to completing the AXP, reporting procedures, experience requirements, and more. Last updated February 2025.
Certification Guidelines
This document outlines the requirements for NCARB certification for U.S., Canadian, and foreign architects. Last updated July 2022.
Earn an NCARB Certificate
With this credential, architects can easily apply for out-of-state licenses, plus access to free continuing education courses.