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United States · Licensing exam

NCARB certification: what the Certificate is and how to get it

NCARB certification comes after your license, not instead of it. The NCARB Certificate, from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), is a credential for architects who hold a US license and meet NCARB’s national standards for education, experience and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). It makes licenses in other jurisdictions easier to get: all 55 US jurisdictions accept it for reciprocal licensure, and NCARB says more than 50,000 architects hold one.

  • First year freeWith an active Record through licensure
  • $300Annual Certificate renewal
  • About 30 business daysNCARB’s evaluation time
Look up a certified architect

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What are the NCARB certification requirements?

  • Education: a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). US architects without one can apply through the Education Alternative.
  • Experience: the Architectural Experience Program (AXP). Architects licensed before the program was required can report their hours as architects.
  • Examination: all six ARE divisions.
  • Licensure: a license from a US licensing board.

Once your board sends NCARB proof of your license, NCARB evaluates your Record, which takes about 30 business days, and emails you a Certificate number. Architects licensed outside the US apply through the International Architect Path instead, if their country has a system for disciplinary action. NCARB asks you to check first that the board where you want a license accepts Certificates earned this way.

NCARB: Get NCARB Certified ↗

What NCARB certification costs

If you keep your NCARB Record active through licensure, there’s no separate application fee and your first year of certification is free. Otherwise:

ItemFee
Certificate application$1,415
Annual renewal$300
Record transmittal to a board$500
International Architect Path$1,415
Education Alternative Path$1,415

Reactivating an expired Certificate costs $320 plus any unpaid renewals, capped at $1,415. Licensed architects who have never had a Record pay the $1,415 application fee, and if they’re approved within 12 months, NCARB moves their renewal date a year later at no charge.

NCARB: Fees ↗

What the Certificate gives you

  • Reciprocal licensure in all 55 US jurisdictions
  • International licenses through NCARB’s agreements with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, and the agreement with Canada and Mexico
  • NCARB’s Continuum Education courses for continuing education, free for Certificate holders
  • The right to put “NCARB” after your name while your Certificate is active
How to get your first license →NCARB: Use of the NCARB Certificate as a Credential ↗

NCARB certification lookup

NCARB’s lookup tool finds certified architects by name, city and jurisdiction. NCARB suggests searching by last name only, or last name and the first few letters of the first name, without nicknames. Every Certificate holder has a valid US license, but the lookup doesn’t confirm a license number: for that, use the roster of the architect’s state board.

NCARB: Look Up NCARB-Certified Architects ↗
Sources: NCARB and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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