The Three Pillars of Architectural Licensure
Becoming an architect in the US requires satisfying the requirements of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). It boils down to Education, Experience, and Examination.
1. Education (NAAB)
Most jurisdictions require a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). B.Arch and M.Arch are the standard options.
2. Experience (AXP)
The Architectural Experience Program requires 3,740 hours across six areas. Read our deep dive on logging hours efficiently.
3. Examination (ARE 5.0)
Six exams testing everything from practice management to structural detailing. Review the ARE statistics.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming your B.A. in Architecture is accredited (it often isn't; only B.Arch is).
- Waiting until graduation to start an NCARB record.