Registration Boards and Their Role in Reciprocity

Registration boards are required to examine and maintain a record of qualifications for each applicant seeking registration. In order to satisfy this requirement:

• A complete copy of an applicant’s NCARB Record is sent or transmitted to a registration board in support of his/her application for registration.
• Most registration boards require an NCARB Certificate as a basis for reciprocal registration. Some boards will consider applicants without a Certificate.

Reciprocity With or Without an NCARB Certificate

• A registration board may deny a registration even though the applicant is supported by certification. This usually occurs when an applicant has not satisfied a particular requirement for that board. For example, some states require completion of IDP for reciprocity.
• Some registration boards will accept a non-certified NCARB Record.

See the Registration Board Requirements section for more information.

NCARB and its Role in Reciprocity
NCARB handles requests to transfer NCARB Records on a regular basis. The process begins with:

• A certified or active NCARB Record is sent to any registration board, Canadian province, or foreign registration authority upon your request and payment. See fees.
• Sometimes a registration board has requirements that differ from those required for an NCARB Certificate. In this case, you should contact your registration board before having your Record transmitted to determine what procedures you must do to satisfy the missing requirements.

Transmittal Lingo
Once your NCARB Record is ready to be sent to the registration board, it is assigned a color cover to denote the type of Record. There are three colors:

• A Green Cover indicates that you are applying to a registration board for initial licensure and that you have fulfilled NCARB’s education and training standards. A Green Cover is sent to registration board gain admittance to the ARE. 
• A Blue Cover indicates that you have been certified and are being recommended for licensure. 
• A Buff Cover indicates you have been licensed by a registration board, but do not have an NCARB Certificate. Registration boards that do not require an NCARB Certificate may accept this type of Record for reciprocal registration.