In most U.S. states and territories, architects must complete a certain amount of continuing education (CE) each year to renew their licenses. No matter what your local licensing board requires, NCARB’s Continuum Education program offers convenient, quality CE courses that you can take anywhere, anytime. Plus, NCARB’s courses are always free for NCARB Certificate holders!

Not a Certificate holder? Our courses are available to all for a $25 fee per course.

Review Your Requirements

Before getting started, you should use NCARB’s Licensing Requirements Tool to check the CE requirements for any jurisdictions where you’re licensed. Keep in mind that different states have different deadlines for reporting CE, but most will allow you to report the same course for credit in multiple jurisdictions.

Choose Your Favorite Topics

NCARB offers CE courses on a variety of topics, worth .5 – 2.5 learning units (LU) each. Each course is written by industry experts, and qualify for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit. NCARB’s CE courses have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars! You can browse the topics on ce.ncarb.org, or get started with one of these popular courses:

  • AXP Supervisor Training (1.5 HSW LU): Explore the science behind professional training, tips for giving useful feedback, and how to use the experience program to structure your candidate’s professional development. Plus, learn how to identify your unconscious biases and be aware of their impact on candidates’ progress.
  • Accommodating Shrinkage in Multistory Wood-Frame Structures (1.25 HSW LU): Cumulative wood shrinkage can impact the function and performance of finishes, openings, MEP systems, and structural connections. Learn how to accommodate shrinkage in multistory structures and minimize effects on building performance.
  • Architecture to Calm the Unseen Trauma of Combat Veterans (1 HSW LU): Review common environmental perceptions among combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and analyze architectural solutions to help calm such trauma.

Read the Course Material

Once you’ve chosen a course, you can download the material by following these steps:

  1. Log in in to your NCARB Record.
  2. Click “Go” next to Continuum Education.
    Sometimes you may need to “Log in” a second time on the Continuum Education page. If this is necessary, there will be a “log in” button next to the course you’d like to select.
  3. Pick the course you’d like to read and select “Purchase.” This process looks like a purchase transaction, but if you’re an NCARB Certificate holder or licensure candidate with an active NCARB Record, you will not be charged. 

Pass the Quiz

After you’ve read the material, you can take an online, open-book quiz:

  1. Log in to your NCARB Record.
  2. Click “Go” next to Continuum Education.
  3. Select the “My CEs” tab at the top to view a list of your downloaded courses.
  4. Choose the “take a quiz” button next to the course you’d like to complete.

You’ll see your results immediately, and if you fail, you’ll have the option to retake the quiz. Once you pass, you can instantly print your certificate of completion. If you’re an American Institute of Architects (AIA) member, we’ll automatically report your credit to the AIA at no additional cost.

Get Started Today!