NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) is a nonprofit organization made up of the architectural licensing boards of 55 U.S. states and territories. While each jurisdiction is responsible for regulating the practice of architecture within its borders, NCARB develops and administers national programs for candidates pursuing architectural licensure and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate.

About Continuing Education
About Licensure
About the NCARB Certificate

How do I earn continuing education through NCARB?

NCARB Certificate holders have access to NCARB’s free continuing education courses as part of our Continuing Education Program, a collection of in-depth, online self-study materials that help professionals maintain and expand their competence. By completing the online quizzes and exercises, you can earn Learning Units (LUs) in Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) from the comfort of your own home, office, or mobile device.

Browse 100+ CE Courses

Continuing education courses for non-certified architects cost $25 per course. You will need an NCARB Record or a free NCARB account to complete CE courses.

You can browse NCARB’s extensive collection of CE courses at ce.ncarb.org. After you download your selected course, you are eligible to take the accompanying quiz.

  1. To download a course, click “purchase course.” The price will be $0 if you are an active NCARB Certificate holder or licensure candidate.
  2. After reading the course and completing any exercises, take the quiz by logging in to My NCARB, selecting “My Continuum Education,” and then “Take a Quiz.” Note: Some courses include an embedded quiz, so you won’t need to log in to My NCARB.
  3. You’ll see your results immediately and have the option to either print your certificate of completion or retake the quiz. AIA members have the option to have their certificate automatically reported.

How do I become a licensed architect?

To practice architecture in the United States, you must earn a license from the regulatory board in the jurisdiction where you want to practice. Each of the 55 U.S. states and territories (or jurisdictions) sets their own requirements for licensure. However, they all include three core components: education, experience, and examination.

Before you begin the process, you should check your jurisdiction’s requirements. The process may defer depending on your chosen jurisdiction, but the basics are similar:

  1. Earn an architecture degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), or meet your jurisdiction’s education requirement.
  2. Gain and document the required experience. All 55 U.S. jurisdictions accept the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®), but some require additional experience.
  3. Pass the ARE®. All 55 U.S. jurisdictions require you to pass the Architect Registration Examination®.
  4. Meet any extra jurisdictional requirements. Some boards require additional experience or a location-specific supplemental exam before licensure.
  5. Have your NCARB Record transmitted to the jurisdiction where you would like to be licensed. Your NCARB Record is a verified account of your professional history that demonstrates your qualifications for licensure—learn how to start one.

Why should I earn a license?

The reasons to earn a license to practice architecture are as varied and personal as the path to get there—here are just a few benefits of licensure:

  • Title: Once you’ve earned a license, you can officially call yourself an architect.
  • Independence: With a license, you can practice independently.
  • Trust: Your license gives firms, clients, and the public confidence in your skills and ability to protect their health, safety, and welfare.
  • Skills: Completing your education, experience, and examination requirements helps guide you through continuing your professional growth and development.
  • Advancement: Having a license provides you with greater career opportunities.

How do I get started?

You can start the path to licensure by creating an NCARB Record at my.ncarb.org.

Your NCARB Record is a detailed, verified account of your education, experience, and examination history. You’ll need a Record to report AXP experience, start the ARE, earn your initial license, and apply for an NCARB Certificate.

To create your NCARB Record, you will also need a free My NCARB account. Follow these steps to set up both, or skip to step 4 if you already have a My NCARB account.

  1. Click “Login to My NCARB” on the NCARB homepage.
  2. Click “Establish Record.”
  3. Fill in the required fields to create an account and click “Submit.”
  4. On your My NCARB homepage, click “Add” next to the NCARB Record option.
  5. Fill in the required information. This step may take a while, so feel free to save and return later if you need more time.
  6. After completing the information, submit payment for your NCARB Record.

Once you click “Submit,” you will receive two emails: the first will confirm receipt of your payment, and the second will assign your NCARB Record number and provide further instructions.

More information on the cost of establishing and maintaining your NCARB Record can be found on our fees page. If you have established an NCARB Record in the past, you can reactivate your existing Record by logging in to your My NCARB account and selecting the Annual Renewal option.

What is the NCARB Certificate?

If you’re already licensed, you may be eligible for the NCARB Certificate—a tool to help you expand your professional goals. Along with the flexibility to pursue work in multiple jurisdictions, Certificate holders have access to free continuing education, exciting leadership opportunities, and more.

Professional Mobility
Having an NCARB Certificate gives you the flexibility to apply for reciprocal licensure in all 55 U.S. jurisdictions. The Certificate can also be used to support licensure in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Free Continuing Education
Certificate holders have access to NCARB’s free continuing education courses as part of our Continuum Education Program, a collection of in-depth, online self-study materials that help professionals maintain and expand their competence.

Competitive Edge
You can use the “NCARB” credential in your title, which demonstrates you’ve met national standards for licensure.

Leadership Opportunities
Certificate holders are often the first to hear about volunteer opportunities on licensing boards and NCARB committees.

How do I become certified?

First, you will need to establish or reactivate your NCARB Record. Next, you will need to document the following requirements:

If you already meet the requirements above and they are documented in your NCARB Record, you can apply for the NCARB Certificate right away.

Once NCARB has received proof of licensure from your board and you have met the requirements for certification, we will evaluate your Record. The evaluation response time is approximately 30 business days. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive an email confirming you have met the requirements for certification and be issued a Certificate number.

The cost associated with establishing and maintaining an NCARB Certificate can be found on our fees page. For complete detailed information on applying for the NCARB Certificate, download the Certification Guidelines.