Broadly Experienced Architect Program

 

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

• Good character – Verified by employers and an NCARB Member Board where you are registered
• Education – Completion of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) or hold a professional degree in architecture, certified by the CACB, from a Canadian university
• Training – Satisfaction of the Intern Development Program (IDP) Training Requirement or satisfaction of alternate requirements as specified in the Handbook for Interns and Architects
• Examination – Pass the NCARB Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) or past equivalent 
• Registration – Current registration to practice issued by an NCARB Member Board

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.