What will the UK-US Mutual Recognition Agreement between the ARB and the NCARB mean for architects?

This article originally appeared as a RIBA professional feature on architecture.com

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has signed a landmark Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with its US counterpart, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) , streamlining registration processes, reducing costs and examinations for registered architects making a trans-Atlantic journey to practice.

The reciprocal agreement will also help to open up opportunities for cooperation at individual or practice level in the UK and US in a way that upholds standards, said ARB’s Chief Executive and Registrar Hugh Simpson at an event held at RIBA.

When will the Mutual Recognition Agreement come into force?

This is the ARB’s first Mutual Recognition Agreement since the passing of the Professional Qualifications Act last year. In anticipation of the act, the ARB has been in talks with the NCARB for five years. Department for Business and Trade Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, has hailed the agreement as paving the way for our world class architects to export their expertise across the Atlantic.

Following the signing of the agreement on 16 February 2023, both registration bodies will begin to accept applications from today, 25 April 2023.

US-registered architects coming to the UK to practice will need to pass a UK Adaptation Assessment, created by the ARB in order to confirm their understanding of UK-specific legislation and regulations before they can be admitted to the UK Register.

Conversely, UK architects seeking recognition in the US can apply to the ARB for a certificate costing ￡80, which they will then present to the NCARB. There will be additional fees for NCARB and any relevant state jurisdictions.

Speaking at RIBA, Emma Matthews, the ARB’s Director of Governance and International, said UK architects should find the process at least 50% cheaper and six months shorter than at present, as well as being more streamlined and efficient. A full list of fees is provided by the ARB website.

How does the agreement apply to individual states?

Regulation of practice is not administered at national level in the US, but by the architectural licensing boards of 55 US states and territories that are represented on the NCARB. The national council develops and administers national programs for candidates for state licenses, but also awards its own NCARB certificate that confirms completion of an accredited academic and professional program.

The NCARB certificate will be available to suitably qualified UK architects following the Mutual Recognition Agreement, leaving UK candidates to complete only jurisdiction-specific requirements if these are in force. Some US jurisdictions have locality-specific tests or assessments, such as designing for areas prone to seismic activity. The NCARB says it will be able to advise further on local requirements.

Individual state-level jurisdictions will decide whether or not they wish to participate in the Mutual Recognition Agreement. The NCARB says it expects at least three quarters of state-level boards to do so initially, with the remainder having the option to recognise the agreement at a later date.

UK architects seeking registration in the US will therefore need to check whether their destination state is a participant if they are hoping to benefit from the recognition agreement.

Where can you find out more?

UK architects hoping to join a US Register will be able to learn more about the procedure from today on the ARB website.

Architects registered in the US will be able to find further details on the NCARB website.

The ARB has already clarified that the Mutual Recognition Agreement route to US registration will only be open to ARB registrants that hold ARB-accredited qualifications (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3) issued by UK schools of architecture.

Those who have joined the UK register through another reciprocal agreement, such as those holding EU qualifications, will not be eligible for the new US recognition agreement.

This story has been adapted for LinkedIn – original text by Neal Morris.