BEA Education Dossier

The BEA education dossier demonstrates the applicant’s learning through experience to meet the education requirements of the NCARB Education Standard. The education dossier is distinct from a professional portfolio of work in that it demonstrates learning through experience rather than documentation of registration and professional qualifications; these are eligibility requirements and are not the focus of the dossier.

Applicants who are required to obtain an EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation must prepare an education dossier to address specific education deficiencies identified in their education evaluation and outlined in the NCARB Education Standard. Applicants who are not required to obtain an education evaluation are required to demonstrate learning through experience in all areas of the NCARB Education Standard:

1. General Education including English Composition
2. History, Human Behavior, & Environment
3. Technical Systems
4. Practice
5. Design

Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning are not required to address general education requirements in their education dossier. The BEA program does not require applicants to address elective education deficiencies.

The education dossier should include a detailed written description of specific examples of the applicant’s learning through experience as a registered architect and provide supporting documentation that is relevant to the specific education deficiencies. The projects included in the dossier must be projects in the jurisdiction in which the applicant is registered. Projects built in other jurisdictions may be included only if the applicant was working under the direct supervision of an architect who was registered in that jurisdiction for the project duration. The applicant must have also maintained concurrent registration. 

Personal involvement and the way in which learning through experience addresses the education deficiencies must be clearly explained both in the written descriptions and in the supporting documentation. Thorough organization of the dossier and thorough annotation of supporting material to fully demonstrate responsibility, involvement, and learning through experience are required.

Dossiers must conform to specific format requirements and utilize standard forms. These are provided after NCARB has confirmed the applicant’s eligibility and after the EESA-NCARB Education Evaluation, if required, has been completed.

Applicants are free to submit at any time. Submission deadlines correspond to committee meetings and determine the potential review and interview schedule.

Current dossier submission deadlines are:

There is a six-month review process from the submission date to a potential interview. Forms, program requirements, and fees are subject to change. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet the current program requirements and have the most current forms at the time of dossier submission.

Education dossiers are reviewed by the BEA Committee to determine if they demonstrate that the applicant has achieved the required learning through experience to address education deficiencies. Applicants do not attend the dossier review. Dossier review fees are due when the dossier is submitted. Results of the dossier review are announced approximately four weeks after the review.