12 architecture schools join NCARB's 'speedy path to licensure' program

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has accepted proposals from over a dozen architecture schools to ­implement an integrated path to licensure within academic programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

This initiative allow students enrolled in an NCARB-accepted path to complete the requirements for architectural licensure at the time of graduation. The NCARB Integrated Path initiative invites programs accredited by the NAAB to propose approaches that would result in completing the requirements of the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the opportunity to take each division of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) before graduation. Passing all ARE divisions prior to graduation is not required.

In its inaugural effort, the NCARB Integrated Path initiative has solicited statements of interest from all schools with NAAB-accredited programs and then invited all with accredited programs to submit proposals, which were received this past June. The review of these proposals was conducted by the NCARB Licensure Task Force (LTF), composed of interns/recently licensed architects, state licensing board members and executives, academic deans and instructors, and non-architect public members, as well as leaders representing the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

NCARB will respond to each school with feedback as to how their proposal is or could become acceptable before releasing the names of the accepted programs. All programs that submitted proposals will be coached as to next steps including modifications necessary to move forward toward implementation. NCARB will also engage its state licensing board members regarding regulatory changes to allow access to the ARE prior to graduation.

After providing further feedback to the proposing schools, NCARB will release the names of the initial group of accepted programs. Programs needing more development will be encouraged to resubmit proposals utilizing the feedback from the Task Force. A new RFP for the second round of participation will launch in early 2016 and will be repeated on an annual basis, to be managed by a new Integrated Path Evaluation Committee appointed by the NCARB President Ward and include diverse geographic, age, demographic, and collateral perspectives.