BEA Process
The BEA Program is a multi-step process. Except for the EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation, required only if you have 64 or more semester credit hours of post-secondary education, all steps are required. Many factors, including the time you need to prepare and submit your dossier and the time required by NCARB to review your dossier, determine the time needed to complete the program.
Dossiers are reviewed in the order in which they are received. If the number of applicants exceeds the review capacity of the committee, your dossier may be reviewed during a subsequent review cycle. You may submit your dossier at any time and are encouraged to select a submission date that allows sufficient time for dossier preparation.
Step 1 - NCARB Record (all applicants)
You are required to establish an NCARB Record before initiating an EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation (if required) and before beginning the BEA Program. If you hold an NCARB Record you must confirm with
NCARB Customer Service that it is active and provide any required information. Your Record must be evaluated by NCARB to determine if you have satisfied other certification requirements and are eligible for the BEA Program. You are required to maintain an active NCARB Record throughout the BEA Program.
Step 2 - EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation (if required)
If you have completed 64 or more semester credit hours of post-secondary education you are required to obtain an EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation (if you have less than 64 semester credit hours you are not required to obtain an education evaluation). NAAB’s
Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) identifies your education deficiencies by comparing your post-secondary education with the
NCARB Education Standard, an approximation of a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program. [
more]
NAAB is an independent organization and is not affiliated with any architectural registration board. For EESA-related questions, please contact
eesa@naab.org.
Step 3 - BEA Education Dossier (all applicants)
The education dossier allows you to demonstrate learning through experience as a registered architect to meet the requirements of the
NCARB Education Standard. You must include descriptions and documentation of your learning through experience in relation to your education deficiencies.
You are required to demonstrate learning through experience only in the subject areas identified in your EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation or all of the following subject areas if you were not required to obtain an education evaluation.
- General Education
- History and Theory, Human Behavior, & Environment
- Technical Systems
- Practice
- Design
If you have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution you are not required to address the General Education subject area. Electives are waived for all BEA applicants.
Although you may have completed the minimum number of years of practice to be eligible for the BEA Program, you must demonstrate learning through experience in relation to specific areas of professional education. Only practice experience that is relevant to subject areas of the
NCARB Education Standard in which you have education deficiencies may be included in your dossier.
Please note the following:
- Your dossier may only include projects completed in the jurisdiction in which you hold or held registration for the project duration.
- The dossier is not a compilation of your professional qualifications and achievements, such as awards and professional accolades. While professional achievements may fulfill eligibility requirements and many of your projects may have received awards, these alone are not sufficient for your dossier. [more]
Step 4 - BEA Education Dossier Format Review and Reference Verification (all applicants)
Prior to review by the committee, your dossier will be reviewed by NCARB to determine if it conforms to format and submission requirements and to verify references submitted. This review is not an evaluation of dossier content for demonstration of learning through experience.
Step 5 - BEA Education Dossier Review (all applicants)
The purpose of the dossier review is to verify information in your dossier, verify your role and responsibility in the projects and activities included in your dossier, and verify that you have gained the required learning through experience as a registered architect to satisfy education deficiencies. You do not participate in the dossier review.
Step 6 - Final Record Evaluation and Certification (all applicants)
A final evaluation of your NCARB Record is required to ensure that you have provided all required information before your NCARB Certificate may be issued. This process may take up to four weeks to complete. Please contact NCARB Customer Service for any questions related to your NCARB Record and final record evaluation.
NCARB will perform a random audit of education dossiers submitted. If your dossier is selected for an audit, you will be notified and may be asked to provide additional information and participate in an interview. The audit will occur during final record evaluation; after completion of the BEA Program and before an NCARB Certificate is granted.
Dossier Review Results
You will be notified by letter (and e-mail) of dossier review results no later than four weeks after the committee meeting at which the review was held. Results are not conveyed by telephone. The Internship + Education Directorate is available to clarify questions you may have regarding the results of the dossier review; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that your dossier meets all program requirements. Direct communication with the BEA Committee is not permitted at any time. There is no appeal process for the BEA Program.
Options for Unsuccessful Applicants
If the committee determines that you have not satisfied your education deficiencies at the dossier review, you may:
- Prepare and submit a new dossier to demonstrate learning through experience.
- Prepare and submit a new dossier after gaining additional experience and/or education.
- Obtain additional education to satisfy your education deficiencies—this option includes an EESA update and Record evaluation. Please note that all coursework must be pre-approved by the NAAB.
- Obtain or complete a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program.