One-hundred days from now, on May 2, 2019, NCARB will celebrate our Centennial! To kick off the 100-day countdown, we’re excited to share the launch of our Centennial website. Over the next several months, we’ll highlight important milestones throughout NCARB’s history—including the first architectural licensing laws, the evolution of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and our predictions for the next 100 years. Here’s a taste of some of the fun historical facts we uncovered.

The Beginning

  • Illinois became the first state to regulate the profession of architecture in 1897.
  • In 1919, 15 architects from 13 states met to discuss forming what would eventually become NCARB.
  • NCARB’s first office was based out of the Chicago office of Emery Stanford Hall, one of the Council’s founding members.

Finding Our Footing

  • Thirty-two U.S. jurisdictions had architectural registration laws in 1930.
  • The first NCARB Certificate was issued in 1938 to Illinois architect Nelson Spencer.
  • In 1940, NCARB, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) formed the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Creating National Standards

  • NCARB members voted to have students record their experience as part of the “Architect-in-Training” program in 1955.
  • In 1965, NCARB provided a national seven-part examination to its Member Boards.
  • NCARB and the Architects Registration Council of the United Kingdom agreed on a reciprocity arrangement in 1968. The agreement lasted until the 1980s.

Evolution of Standards

  • Iowa became the first state to require continuing education for license renewal in 1974.
  • In 1979, Dwight Dobberstein became the first person to complete the Intern Development Program (IDP).
  • The ARE launched in 1983 and was taken over four consecutive days.

Going Digital

  • NCARB’s Member Boards approved a recognition agreement with Canada in 1994.
  • In 1997, the ARE moved to computer delivery and becomes available year-round.
  • The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement with Mexico and Canada went into effect in 2005.

Positioning for the Future

  • Our annual data publication, NCARB by the Numbers, launched in 2012.
  • In 2016, the IDP was updated to the Architectural Experience Program (AXP).
  • The first Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) students graduated in 2018, earning licenses shortly after graduation.

Stay tuned for glimpses into our past, present, and future, and follow along on social media with #NCARB100.