Our Work

When people think about the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards—or NCARB, as we are better known, they often think about the programs that we administer. Programs like the Architect Registration Examination^® (ARE^®) and the Intern Development Program (IDP) are a big part of what we do.

Intern Development Program

The Intern Development Program (IDP) is a comprehensive training program created to ensure that interns in the architecture profession gain the knowledge and skills required for the independent practice of architecture. [more]

Architect Registration Examination

The Architect Registration Examination^® (ARE^®) assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the practice of architecture. [more]

Certification

NCARB certification facilitates reciprocal registration among all of the U.S. registration boards and Canadian jurisdictions. [more]

Reciprocity

With "reciprocity," a registered architect in one jurisdiction can apply for registration in another jurisdiction by presenting documentation (or having NCARB process and present documentation) that he/she meets that jurisdiction's registration requirements. [more]

Education

A degree in architecture provides the foundation in architectural knowledge and process. A professional degree in architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) will satisfy the NCARB education requirements for certification. [more]

Broadly Experienced Architect Program

Architects who do not hold a professional architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited architecture program are eligible to apply for an NCARB Certificate through the BEA program. [more]

Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect Program

Foreign registered architects are eligible to apply for an NCARB Certificate through the BEFA Program. [more]

NCARB Award

The NCARB Award encourages and supports the creation and implementation of new ideas and methods in an effort to help architecture programs initiate academic activities that will have a long-term, on-going impact on the integration of practice and education. [more]

NCARB Monographs

NCARB produces a variety of publications each year about our programs, important architectural issues, and licensing standards. Additionally, there are 25 titles in the monograph series that explores everything from sustainable design to fire safety in buildings to professional conduct to post-occupancy evaluation. All learning units are Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) units. [more]

International Practice

NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada. We are also administer the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Architects program in the United States. [more]

Practice Analysis

Every five to seven years, NCARB surveys the profession to determine the knowledge and skills necessary to practice architecture independently and protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. The study is then used to determine future developments to the ARE, IDP, continuing education policies, and NCARB’s contribution to NAAB’s Accreditation Review Conference (ARC). [more]