Broadly Experienced Architect Program

BEA 

NCARB certification requires satisfaction of education, training, and examination requirements outlined in the NCARB Handbook for Interns and Architects:


BROADLY EXPERIENCED ARCHITECT (BEA) PROGRAM
The BEA Program provides an opportunity for eligible architects to demonstrate that they have gained learning through experience as a registered architect to meet the requirements of the NCARB Education Standard as an alternative to the education requirement for NCARB certification. BEA Program eligibility requires satisfaction of all certification requirements except the education requirement. All requirements must be satisfied before an NCARB Certificate may be issued.

ELIGIBILITY

Architects who do not hold a professional architecture degree from a NAAB-accredited program are eligible to apply for an NCARB Certificate through the BEA Program if they:

  1. Hold current registration from an NCARB Member Board
  2. Have comprehensive practice experience as a registered architect over a prescribed number of years: 
      1. Six years if you hold a pre-professional degree in architecture awarded by a U.S. regionally accredited institution or the Canadian equivalent; or 
      2. Eight years if you hold any other baccalaureate or higher degree; or 
      3. Ten years if you do not hold a post-secondary baccalaureate or higher degree.
    RECIPROCITY
    Many architects apply for an NCARB Certificate to seek reciprocal registration in other U.S. jurisdictions. Reciprocal registration requirements vary and not all jurisdictions accept an NCARB Certificate issued upon satisfaction of the education requirement through the BEA Program. The NCARB website has links to each jurisdiction’s website and a summary of registration requirements. Because requirements may change, it is important to confirm requirements, including reciprocity requirements, with the jurisdiction in which you are seeking registration.

    Related Publications

    image

    Handbook for Interns and Architects
    Updated July 2011! The Handbook describes the NCARB organization, services, procedures, and examinations. It also outlines requirements for NCARB certification for U.S., Canadian, and foreign architects.

    Download (PDF, 1,090K)

    image

    NCARB Education Standard: Effective 1 January 2010
    The education requirements for earning an NCARB Certificate between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2011. BEA applicants that received their EESA evaluation prior to 1 January 2012 should refer to this document.

    Download (PDF, 300K)

    image

    Education Guidelines
    Updated January 2012! The Education Guidelines provide a general overview of the education requirement for NCARB certification, and explains how architects who do not hold a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program can satisfy this requirement.

    Download (PDF, 1,074K)

    Related Content

    BEA Process
    The BEA Program is a multi-step process. 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. This process is effective 1 June 2011.
    [more]


    BEA Education Dossier
    The BEA education dossier allows the applicant to demonstrate their learning through experience to meet the education requirements of the NCARB Education Standard.
    [more]


    BEA Fees
    Fees associated with the BEA Program.
    [more]


    FAQS | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | 2009 NCARB

    © National Council of Architectural Registration Boards | 1801 K Street, NW | Suite 700K | Washington, DC 20006 | P: 202/879-0520 | F: 202/783-0290