Expanding Horizons
SECRETARY
Gregory L. Erny, NCARB, AIA
No stone is left unturned in searching for fresh avenues to improve our programs for aspiring architects and practitioners. Progress can’t be made in a vacuum, which is why we are always open and receptive to the new insights, reliable knowledge, and expertise of others.
This innovation begins with NCARB’s 54 Member Boards. Their guidance is essential to every aspect of what we do to strengthen the national standards for architectural education, experience, and examination.
As secretary, I was honored to be part of the ongoing dialogue with Member Boards regarding the evolution of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). In fact, I first volunteered for an examination committee in 1998—just one year after
NCARB rolled out the computer-based exam. With the launch of ARE 5.0 around the corner, I could not be more thrilled to see the next phase of the exam come to fruition. Innovations to our programs would not be possible without the vision and dedication of our volunteer committees, which you can read about in this section.
The leadership of our regions, as well as continued collaboration with partner organizations, has also been a rich resource for unique points of view. Representatives from all four architectural collaterals were part of the Licensure Task Force—a team I am excited to join in this fiscal year. As NCARB moves forward with the integrated path to licensure, we will continue to look to
our Member Boards, volunteers, and partners for feedback
and support.
It is this constant growth in perspective that enables NCARB
to make smart, timely, and effective improvements to the path
to licensure.
Secretary Gregory L. Erny, NCARB, AIA
Member Board Relations
NCARB'S Members• 50 States
• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin IslandsThrough collaboration with our Members Boards, we have been able to agree on national standards related to education, experience, and examination that help facilitate reciprocal registration across jurisdictions. To do this, NCARB holds regular forums and meetings to maintain constant contact with each jurisdiction. In June, CEO Michael Armstrong accomplished his goal to visit all 54 Member Boards within four years. This open line of communication allows us to stay on top of changing rules and regulations, as well as identify ways to assist our Members.
Member Board Chairs and Executive Conference
In late October, Member Board Chairs and Executives met with NCARB leadership to discuss legislative issues and provide input on topics shaping the future of the architectural profession. Representatives from 49 of NCARB’s 54 jurisdictions attended the two-day, biennial conference to examine the “intern” title, the streamlined IDP, and upcoming revisions to the ARE.
“There are a number of new initiatives NCARB is undertaking regarding the future of licensure, and programs and services that the Council offers. It is our ongoing practice to obtain feedback from our Member Boards. Our Board wants to be fully informed when it makes decisions regarding the future directions of NCARB programs and services.”— NCARB President Dale McKinney, FAIA, NCARB
2015 Annual Business Meeting
The 96th NCARB Annual Business Meeting was held June 18-20 in New Orleans, LA. “Revitalization” was the theme of the three-day conference, where delegates attended workshops, heard the latest from NCARB officers, received a review of the organization’s financial status, and voted on resolutions.
Meeting Attendees• 53 boards were eligible to vote on Saturday• 147 Member Board Members (MBMs) were present• 41 Member Board Executives (MBEs) were present
Collaterals
NCARB works with four collateral organizations to advance the health of the profession:
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
As the voice for professional architects, the AIA works hand in hand with NCARB. Collaboration opportunities this year included the annual AIA Grassroots conference, the biannual AIA-NCARB Leadership Summits, the AIA Large States Roundtable, the AIA “Big Sibs” meetings, the NCARB Licensing Advisors Summit supported by the AIA, senior staff informational meetings, and the biannual Five Collaterals meetings.
In May 2015, NCARB joined thousands of architects who gathered in Atlanta for the AIA National Convention. Our resource center was open all three days to provide attendees with insight into our programs and services. Major announcements were also made at the event regarding the Future Title Task Force’s decision and 2015 NCARB by the Numbers data report.
Architect Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ned Cramer interviews CEO Michael Armstrong about eliminating the word "intern."
Video courtesy of Architect Magazine
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
In FY15, NCARB and NAAB partnered on several initiatives, including work on NCARB’s Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program, the NAAB’s Conditions for Accreditation, and the biannual Five Collaterals meetings. We also partnered with them to improve the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) application process, allowing a more seamless interaction between the NCARB and NAAB systems that serve students and aspiring architects. NAAB leaders attended the NCARB Board’s December meeting to exchange ideas, respond to questions,
and address evolving programs. Finally, the NAAB was integral in the development of the
2015 NCARB by the Numbers as well, providing us with important data on student enrollment
and graduation.
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
With the topic of licensure at graduation so important to both organizations, NCARB’s leadership was on hand to moderate an open forum on the subject at the ACSA Annual Meeting in September. In addition, the 2014 NCARB Award recipients—Parsons The New School for Design and Clemson University—were announced at the ACSA Administrators Conference in November. ACSA leaders attended the NCARB Board’s September meeting to exchange ideas, respond to questions, and address evolving programs. ACSA leaders also visited our offices in May to meet with Board leaders and identify future topics of focus.
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
NCARB engaged with the AIAS on a number of important initiatives in FY15. Our leadership presented at the AIAS Grassroots conference and AIAS Forum. In September, our friends at AIAS joined us for a back-to-school edition of NCARB Live. Quarterly meetings were conducted between AIAS leaders and senior NCARB staff. Our staff also provided support for the AIAS in operational areas. In addition, the NCARB Board of Directors hosted AIAS leaders at its April meeting to exchange ideas, respond to questions, and address evolving programs.
In September 2014, we invited our friends from the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) to share tips on everything from finding a mentor to managing student loans
Day 1 | Full Recap
- Welcome address by President Dale McKinney, FAIA, NCARB
- Keynote speech by Kurt Weigle, president and CEO of the Downtown Development District (DDD) of New Orleans
- Candidate speeches from First Vice President/President-elect candidates Kristine A. Harding, AIA, NCARB, and Margo P. Jones, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP; Second Vice President candidate Gregory L. Erny, NCARB, AIA; Treasurer candidate David L. Hoffman, FAIA, NCARB; and Secretary candidate Terry L. Allers, AIA, NCARB
- Delegates attended workshops about: advancing the profession, the role of regulators, managing sunset reviews, and dealing with the illegal practice of architecture.
Day 2 | Full Recap
- Speech from NCARB CEO Michael J. Armstrong | Recap
- Speech from President Dale McKinney | Recap
- Speech from Treasurer Kristine Harding
- Address by University of Massachusetts Amherst Assistant Professor of Architecture Caryn Brause, AIA, LEED AP, on the school’s 2013 NCARB Award-funded project, “Voices from the Field: From Design Concept to Reality”
- Presentation by 2014 Intern Think Tank (ITT) members Ralph Raymond, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, and Carrie Parker
- Regional Meetings
Day 3 | Full Recap
- Speech from President-elect Dennis S. Ward, AIA, NCARB | Recap
- Election of the FY16 Board of Directors | Learn More
- Vote on 2015 resolutions | Learn More
- Presentation of 2015 President’s Medalists | Learn More
Committees
NCARB has more than 20 volunteer committees, subcommittees, and task forces that meet throughout the year to review topics including the IDP, ARE, NCARB certification, and everything in between. Made up of practicing architects, executives from the jurisdictional boards, collateral representatives, and aspiring architects, these groups examine our policies and make recommendations for improvement.
Education Committees
Committee Purpose
The Education Committee oversees the development, delivery, and assessment of the Council’s education policies for use by Member Boards and its relationship with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
Examination Committees
Committee Purpose
The Examination Committee oversees the development, delivery, and assessment of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) for use by Member Boards.
Internship Committee
Committee Purpose
The Internship Committee (IC) oversees the development, delivery, and assessment of the Intern Development Program (IDP) for use by Member Boards.
The Internship Advisory Committee evaluates the effectiveness and appropriateness of
the Council’s internship policies in order to advise the development and implementation of the IDP.Member Board Executive Committee
Committee Purpose
The Member Board Executive (MBE) Committee considers issues of concern to the Member Boards and MBEs. The MBE Committee nominates a MBE Director to serve on the Council Board of Directors.
Professional Conduct Committee
Committee Purpose
The committee oversees the development, application, assessment, and adjudication of Council policies and practices relating to the professional conduct of Record holders and others using Council services.
Regional Leadership Committee
Committee Purpose
The Regional Leadership Committee addresses issues specific to the Regions of the Council and assists with planning for Council membership meetings.
The Procedures and Documents (P&D) Committee reviews proposed resolutions, procedures, and documents for their impact on and consistency with Council policies and programs. It also interprets Council standards relating to the qualifications for NCARB certification, reviews impediments to interstate architectural practice and recommends ways to eliminate them, and assess the usefulness of special Council publications.
Read All Committee Reports
Learn more about NCARB Live: Back to School With AIAS.
Regions
NCARB’s 54 Member Boards are divided into six geographic regions, each with their own method of organization, objectives, and meetings. Every region elects their own director to serve on NCARB’s Council Board of Directors, and they have a chair that serves on our Regional Leadership Committee. These individuals play an invaluable role in setting the future course for NCARB’s programs.
Region 1
Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont
Region 2
Delaware | District of Columbia | Maryland | New Jersey
New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia | West VirginiaRegion 3
Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Louisiana | Mississippi | North Carolina
Puerto Rico | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | U.S. Virgin IslandsRegion 4
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kentucky | Michigan
Minnesota | Missouri | Ohio | WisconsinRegion 5
Kansas | Montana | Nebraska | North Dakota | Oklahoma | South Dakota | Wyoming
Region 6
Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Guam | Hawaii | Idaho
Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington
Read All Region Reports
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