Overhaul of Architectural Licensing Announced at NCARB Annual Meeting, Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- At its annual meeting of architect licensing officials from 54 states and territories, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has announced a raft of important changes in architectural internships, examination and licensing. The group also has released news on its programs and awards in support of tomorrow's architects.

In addition, NCARB released an extensive statistical survey on the architecture profession, NCARB by the Numbers, which shows that architects are getting licensed at the youngest median age in a decade (34 years), and the number of women applying for architect credentials is increasing. (Women now account for 40 percent of all applicants, up from 10 percent in the early 1990s.)

Michael J. Armstrong, NCARB's CEO, said, "NCARB is unwavering in our ongoing commitment to improving our services to architects no matter where they are in their career. We've been actively listening to candidate concerns, and developing solutions that provide greater access while maintaining integrity and protecting the public health, safety and welfare."

Among the major announcements by NCARB about positive changes to architectural internships, examination and licensing were:

1. A significant proposal to streamline and overhaul the Intern Development Program (IDP) over the next few years, which will reduce the number of hours required to complete the IDP and align it to the planned testing divisions for Architect Registration Examination® (ARE^®) to be implemented in late 2016.
2. Approval of a major modification to IDP's "six-month rule." Previously, you could only earn credit for experience for earned in the past six months. Effective July 1, it allows credit for intern experience up to five years ago, with credit for experience older than eight months valued 50 percent.
3. Effective October 1, a decrease in the wait time for retesting of ARE^® divisions, from six months to 60 days. Candidates who have failed part of the exam can retake that division as soon as 60 days after the previous attempt, up to three times in a running year.
4. New proposals announced to overhaul the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) and Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Programs. These changes will optimize the process and reduce the time for U.S. and foreign architects who do not currently meet the requirements to earn NCARB certification for reciprocal licensure.

About NCARB


NCARB assists its member architectural registration boards of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in carrying out their duties and providing a certification program for individual architects. NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. NCARB also represents the interests of member boards before public and private agencies, and has established reciprocal registration in the U.S. and Canada. Visit: www.ncarb.org.

Contact: Chris Sullivan

914.462.2096, [email protected]

SOURCE NCARB