Summary: Member boards of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) at their annual meeting in Denver on June 25 voted to allow individual jurisdictions to determine when a candidate is eligible to begin taking the Architectural Registration Examination® (ARE). The AIA supports architectural registration boards allowing interns for licensure candidacy to take the ARE following their graduation from a NAAB-accredited degree program and concurrent with enrollment in the Intern Development Program (IDP).

The adopted-as-amended Resolution 07-8 states: “To begin taking the ARE an applicant shall have fulfilled all requirements for eligibility established by his or her jurisdiction and shall have enrolled in IDP by establishing a Council record.” The resolution also states that “it is the intent and policy of the Council that all jurisdictions accept NCARB certification as a basis for reciprocal registration without the application of any other state requirements applicable to initial licensure in such state.”

“I commend NCARB for taking this position, which the AIA Board has advocated for several years as one important step toward encouraging architecture graduates to continue on the path to licensure,” said AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA. “I also applaud the AIA National Associates Committee, which once again proved its strength as an advocate for this important segment of our professional family.”

“The National Associates Committee did play a key role in advocating for emerging professionals,” said 2007 NAC Chair Jaclyn Toole, Assoc. AIA. “And we truly appreciate the strong advocacy on our behalf from the licensed architectural community as well. This is a huge step forward, which we find very encouraging for the future of the profession.”

Check with your jurisdiction
Until now, NCARB has had no position on the sequencing of the three requirements for licensure (education, experience, and examination), however, it recommended candidates earn a NAAB-accredited degree, complete IDP, and then pass the ARE. More than 40 of NCARB’s 54 jurisdictions currently follow this sequence; some may continue to require it. Nine jurisdictions currently allow IDP and the ARE to be completed concurrently. All jurisdictions require an experience component, and 51 require the IDP program, including those that already allow concurrent IDP and ARE completion.

Each jurisdiction follows its own schedule of regulatory revision, so it is important to monitor the jurisdiction relevant to your specific circumstances. For more information on individual registration boards, visit the NCARB Web site.