A landmark mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and its US counterpart, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) went live this week (25 April 2023), with both sides now accepting applications from architects who can take their professional qualifications across the Atlantic to become registered practitioners.
This was the first MRA to be signed by ARB, who, pre-Brexit, had been prevented from entering into such agreements.
Since the announcement was made in February this year, ARB has signed further MRAs with registrars in Australia and New Zealand, with these schemes opening to applicants from 25 May 2023.
ARB has now released details of the UK Adaptation Assessment Process that must be completed by overseas architects seeking to use MRA routes to practice in the UK.
Why the MRA is a “fantastic” opportunity
“There are approximately 400 ARB/RIBA-registered architects living and working in the US,” says Catherine Clark, President of RIBA-USA.
“The subject of 'reciprocity' has been a central theme to any social or professional gathering for many years. It's the difference between being able to work or apply for positions as an 'architect', and being able to build, as, unlike in the UK, both the title and the function of architect are protected here in the US."
“Conversely, there are many NCARB/AIA-registered architects living and working in the UK who would like their education and qualifications recognised.”
She continues: “The MRA paves the way for a truly global exchange of intellectual approaches, means, and methods to the built environment at a time when we drastically need to adjust our approach to building more responsibly and to help tackle the myriad of issues created by climate instability."
American architects who are able to present an NCARB certificate to ARB will be asked to prepare a Reflective Career Summary and will subsequently be sent a practice-based scenario and a set of scenario-based questions. Written answers will then form the basis of an Adaptation Assessment professional interview to confirm their understanding of UK legislation and regulations.
The ARB has also revealed that the Adaptation Assessment process will cost £2,950.
Robert Rhodes, who arrived in the UK in 2003 and has set his mind on becoming the first US-registered architect to get on ARB's register via the MRA, says it is fantastic news that the MRA is finally happening.
An AIA and AIA UK member, he says he always regarded ARB's process to become UK registered as obstructive, even though there is broad alignment between what is taught.
He is not expecting the Adaptation Assessment process to be too onerous and says the career statement that will be required by ARB sounds similar to the statement that a UK candidate would have to submit for Part 3.
If he is successful, the Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors practice he founded in 2010 will finally be able to become a RIBA Chartered Practice, enter RIBA competitions and awards, and bid for government and public sector tenders by virtue of its ARB-registered director.
What do British architects need to do to sign up to the initiative?
UK-registered architects seeking recognition in the US will apply to ARB for a certificate (costing £80) and present this to NCARB.
Regulation of practice is not administered at the national level in the US, but by the individual licensing boards of 55 US states and territories that are represented by NCARB. The national council develops and administers national programs for candidates for state licenses (including the national Architect Registration Examination, or ARE) and awards its own NCARB certificate, which confirms the completion of an accredited academic and professional program.
But some states have their own assessments and locality-specific tests in addition to NCARB certification.
There was some confusion expressed by UK architects about the level of compliance NCARB's certificate would confirm in different states when ARB first announced the MRA.
Robert explains that NCARB operates as a passporting agency that compiles academic and professional training records and can pass them on to a jurisdiction where an architect wants to practice.
What will British architects need to do to practice in the US?
Some states have always had additional requirements. One of those states is California, where candidates have to take the Californian Supplemental Exam. This focuses on the California Building Code (including designing for seismic activity) and the California Environmental Quality Act.
But it will be a level playing field. Incoming UK architects will only take the same supplementary exams or assessments that US students are required to take.
In his home state of Pennsylvania, for instance, Robert says you could present your NCARB certificate and pay a small registration fee and you would be a registered architect.
Responding to RIBA’s questions about the additional requirements UK architects might face, NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong told us this week: “A handful of states have jurisdiction-specific requirements that architects will need to complete before being granted a reciprocal license."
“These requirements are generally straightforward and involve completing additional forms. In some cases, additional testing might be required. These tests often relate to specific laws, rules, and/or common environmental considerations within their borders. US architects are subject to the same requirements and many of them are open book.”
British architects should note that not all US states have chosen to participate in the MRA. The NCARB website currently lists 44 state-level jurisdictions that are taking part and says the remainder have the option of recognising the MRA at a later date.
Thanks to Robert Rhodes, Director, Robert Rhodes Architecture + Interiors.
Text by Neal Morris. This is a Professional Feature edited by the RIBA Practice team. Send us your feedback and ideas.
RIBA Core Curriculum topic: Legal, regulatory, and statutory compliance.
As part of the flexible RIBA CPD programme, professional features count as microlearning. See further information on the updated RIBA CPD core curriculum and on fulfilling your CPD requirements as a RIBA Chartered Member.
