The UK’s Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the US’s National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have signed a game-changing Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for professional qualifications on Thursday 16 February 2023, at a reception at the Old Admiralty Building in London. The agreement follows extensive negotiations between the two regulatory organisations.
Our Chief Executive, Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE, attended the signing with RIBA Executive Director of Membership Experience Laura Webb alongside representatives from the ARB, NCARB, and the US Embassy.
It was also attended by Gareth Davies CB, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business and Trade. As Permanent Secretary, he is responsible for supporting the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, to lead the department as its most senior civil servant.
Commenting on the announcement last week, RIBA President Simon Allford said:
“We’re delighted that this agreement has been signed. British architecture is a global success story, and, post-Brexit, the UK has an opportunity to open up to new export markets for UK architects.”
Informing key stakeholders at the RIBA
To mark the significant milestone, RIBA hosted an event at our London headquarters, 66 Portland Place, on Friday 17 February. The event offered our members the chance to hear directly from the ARB and NCARB about what the US-UK MRA means for architects.
Chaired by Valerie Vaughan-Dick, a panel of speakers from the ARB and NCARB shared key insights and the practicalities of the MRA from both UK and US perspectives. At the event, attendees also heard comments from:
- Hugh Simpson, Chief Executive, ARB
- Emma Matthews, Director of Governance and International, ARB
- Michael J Armstrong, CEO, NCARB
- Bayliss Ward, President, NCARB
- Harry M Falconer, Vice President of Experience + Education, NCARB
- Emily Grandstaff-Rice, President, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
During the session, the panel highlighted the benefits that the MRA is likely to bring to both countries, from opportunities for sharing expertise and knowledge to economic growth across the sector.
Why now?
The MRA is part of a new approach for the ARB - facilitating the registration of international architects, which is now possible within a post-Brexit policy environment. It comes to fruition following five years of negotiations between the ARB and NCARB – which demonstrates the complexity involved in reaching an agreement.
Historically, a lack of a services trade agreement limited opportunities in professional business services including architecture. RIBA Members and UK-registered architects working in the US have not been allowed to trade under the title ‘architect’ without navigating a complex process of validation – and in many cases requalification. RIBA have therefore been calling for MRAs for some time, recognising their value in opening doors for architects overseas and boosting trade in services.
Next steps
This new streamlined route to registration, which will help architects on both sides of the Atlantic, will open to applicants on 25 April 2023.
We know that international architects bring a wealth of varied design skills and deep market knowledge that help the UK to remain a leader in creativity and innovation. We look forward to seeing the benefits that this landmark agreement will bring. The ARB and NCARB’s hard work will undoubtedly help architects on both sides of the Atlantic to prosper.
For further details, please visit the Architects Registration Board's FAQs.
