What an NCARB Certificate Allows Architects to Do

An NCARB Certificate lets a licensed architect apply for licensure in other U.S. jurisdictions more easily, and it includes access to free continuing education courses. It is issued by NCARB, the organization that coordinates architectural licensure across 55 U.S. jurisdictions. The certificate is available to U.S., Canadian, and international architects who meet its requirements.

The Two Core Benefits

1. Easier Out-of-State Licensure

The primary purpose of the certificate is mobility. Instead of assembling a full application from scratch for each new state, a certificate holder can use the credential when applying for an out-of-state license. NCARB describes this as being able to "easily apply for out-of-state licenses."

This matters because U.S. architectural licensure is handled jurisdiction by jurisdiction. A license earned in one state does not automatically authorize practice in another. The certificate is the mechanism NCARB provides to reduce the friction of that process.

2. Free Continuing Education

Certificate holders also get access to free continuing education courses. Since most jurisdictions require continuing education to maintain a license, this is a practical benefit that applies to ongoing practice, not just to a one-time application.

Who Can Apply

The Certification Guidelines cover requirements for three groups:

Eligibility depends on meeting the requirements set out in those guidelines, so the specific path differs by background. The guidelines document is the authoritative source for what each group must demonstrate.

How to Apply

1. Open an NCARB Record. The Record is where NCARB tracks your education, career progress, exam history, and licensing information. You can create one from the NCARB website.
2. Review the Certification Guidelines. The document outlines the requirements for U.S., Canadian, and international architects. Confirm which category applies to you and what evidence is needed.
3. Submit the certificate application. NCARB provides an online application entry point for the certificate.

A useful verification step: once your Record is in place, check that your education, experience, and exam history are accurately reflected before applying, since the certificate review draws on that record.

A Related Development: Reciprocity with South Africa

NCARB has announced a new reciprocity agreement between the U.S. and South Africa for architects. For U.S. architects, this is a separate pathway from the standard certificate-based mobility within U.S. jurisdictions, and NCARB has published guidance on how U.S. architects can take advantage of the agreement. If you are considering practice outside the U.S., check that page alongside the Certification Guidelines.

What the Certificate Does Not Do

The certificate supports applications for licensure elsewhere; it does not itself grant a license in another jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction still processes the application under its own rules. Similarly, the free continuing education benefit is tied to holding the certificate, so it is not a general resource for candidates who have not applied.

Practical Next Steps

• If you are newly licensed and plan to stay in one state, the certificate's main value is the continuing education access and future flexibility.
• If you anticipate moving or pursuing projects across state lines, start with the NCARB Record and the Certification Guidelines so you know exactly which requirements apply to your background.
• If you are a Canadian or international architect, read the guidelines section for your group first, since the requirements and documentation differ from the U.S. path.