On January 1, architectural licensing authorities in U.S., Australia, and New Zealand entered into a Mutual Recognition Arrangement that enables American architects to earn reciprocal licenses abroad.
Twenty-nine of the 54 licensing boards in the U.S. have accepted this arrangement. These include boards in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North and South Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico.
The Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) spearheaded this arrangement, which required over two years of research and negotiation with the other signatories, the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. Architects must hold a current NCARB Certificate to be eligible for reciprocity. NCARB has a similar arrangement with Canada.
U.S. and foreign architects who want to earn a license in Australia or New Zealand under this agreement must be present proof of citizenship or permanent residence in their home country, as well as an active license to practice architecture from a U.S. jurisdiction. (That license cannot be gained through foreign reciprocity.)
Prospective licensees must also have at least 6,000 hours (the equivalent of about three years) of post-licensure experience in their home countries.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Mar 12, 2018
Sound advice on workplace design
Thoughtful design, paired with a change management program to educate staff, can both enhance connectivity and minimize distractions.
Architects | Mar 9, 2018
Designing healthier buildings: Fitwel certification system
The Fitwel certification system is relatively simple and involves registering a building on a custom scorecard.
Architects | Mar 7, 2018
Balkrishna Doshi named 2018 Pritzker Laureate
Over the course of 70 years, Doshi was instrumental in shaping the discourse of architecture throughout India, from low-cost housing for thousands to landmark projects like the Indian Institute of Management.
Architects | Mar 7, 2018
New National Building Museum exhibit explores the architecture of the Manhattan Project
The exhibit will run through March 3, 2019.
Architects | Feb 27, 2018
But first, let me take a selfie: Designing sharable moments
The concept of “selfie walls” has been around for years, but with their growing popularity they have begun to evolve and take on a life of their own.
Market Data | Feb 27, 2018
AIA small firm report: Half of employees have ownership stake in their firm
The American Institute of Architects has released its first-ever Small Firm Compensation Report.
Museums | Feb 26, 2018
*UPDATED* Design team unveils plans for the renovated and expanded Gateway Arch Museum
The goal of the project is to create closer and more robust connections between the Gateway Arch Museum and the landscape of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Architects | Feb 23, 2018
AIA elevates 152 members and two international architects to the College of Fellows
AIA Fellowship recognizes significant contributions to profession of architecture and society.
Airports | Feb 21, 2018
Terminal Modernization: Why Bother? Part II
This is the second post in our series examining why airport operators should bother to upgrade their facilities, even if capacity isn’t forcing the issue.
Urban Planning | Feb 21, 2018
Leading communities in the Second Machine Age
What exactly is the Second Machine Age? The name refers to a book by MIT researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee.
