Architects can pursue work internationally through our Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between NCARB, the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

Qualifications

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Get NCARB-Certified

Want reciprocal licensure across the U.S. and abroad, access to free continuing education, use of the NCARB credential in your title, and more benefits? Apply for the NCARB Certificate.

Get Certified

To be eligible for reciprocal licensure under this agreement, you must:

Note: Architects who are licensed/registered in their home country through another international Mutual Recognition Agreement are not eligible under this agreement.

How to Pursue Licensure in Australia or New Zealand

If you are a U.S. architect seeking licensure in Australia or New Zealand, follow the steps below.

  1. Confirm Eligibility—Review the requirements above and confirm you meet the eligibility requirements. You should also ensure that you are licensed in a participating U.S. jurisdiction. 
  2. Contact NCARB—Once you confirm you’re eligible for licensure through the MRA, contact NCARB online or at 202-879-0520 to initiate the transmittal process. You must pay the Record transmittal fee to have your Record transmitted to NZRAB or AACA.

To Pursue Licensure in Australia:

     3. AACA Application—Complete the application process with AACA.
     4. Interview With AACA—Complete the U.S.A. MRA Assessment Application and Interview.

To Pursue Licensure in New Zealand:

     3.  NZRAB Application—Complete the application process with NZRAB and pay the applicable fee.

How to Pursue Licensure in the U.S.

If you are an Australian or New Zealand architect seeking licensure in the United States, follow the steps below.

  1. Confirm Eligibility—Review the requirements above and confirm you meet the eligibility requirements. Verify that the U.S. jurisdiction where you’re seeking licensure participates in the agreement and make sure you are able to meet any jurisdiction-specific requirements.
  2. Contact AACA or NZRAB—Contact AACA or NZRAB before starting the process with NCARB.
  3. Contact NCARB—After completing your Certificate with AACA or NZRAB, you must set up an NCARB Record. To do this, you must pay NCARB a fee, and you will need to upload your AACA Statement or NZRAB MRA document. Once your payment is made, NCARB will issue you an NCARB Record number. NCARB will then review your credentials and issue you an NCARB Certificate.
  4. Apply for Licensure—After receiving an NCARB Certificate through this MRA, you will need to apply for licensure in a participant U.S. jurisdiction within 12 months of obtaining the Certificate.

To learn more about this agreement and the requirements for NCARB certification, read the Certification Guidelines.

Fees

Australia/New Zealand Architects:

  • You will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $3,500 USD application fee to NCARB. If you have already established an NCARB Record, the Record fee you have already paid will be deducted from the $3,500 USD application fee and you will be responsible for the balance of the fee—contact NCARB at www.ncarb.org/contact for more information about the balance of your application fee. 
  • You will also need to pay a transmittal fee to have your NCARB Record sent to the U.S. jurisdiction where you are seeking licensure and will need to pay additional licensure fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional licensure fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction.

U.S. Architects:

  • You will need to pay a transmittal fee to have your NCARB Record sent to Australia or New Zealand.
  • The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia also charges a fee of $4,250 AUD.
  • The New Zealand Registered Architects Board charges a fee of $724.50 NZD.