Navigating NCARB Continuing Education Requirements for Architects

For architects, obtaining a license marks a significant achievement. However, the journey doesn't conclude there. Maintaining licensure often necessitates fulfilling continuing education requirements. This article delves into the NCARB continuing education requirements, exploring various facets of the process, including available resources and opportunities.

Understanding the Basics of NCARB Continuing Education

Many jurisdictions mandate that architects complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their licenses. These requirements ensure architects stay updated with the latest industry knowledge, technologies, and best practices. Unless an architect has been granted emeritus or inactive status by NCARB, they are required to complete at least twelve Continuing Education Hours in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) subjects for each calendar year for license renewal. If a retired or inactive architect wants to return to an active practice, they must submit documentation showing they have completed twelve HSW CE hours within twelve months of returning to the field.

Learning Units and Accreditation

Continuing education is typically measured in Learning Units (LUs), with specific requirements varying by jurisdiction. LUs are to be earned as part of professional development activities approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), or the Board. In the event a licensee is unable to complete the 12-per-year requirement, but still completes 24 LUs during the licensing term, the Board will accept such completion as fulfilling the renewal requirements. It’s important to note that a portion of these learning units must often be in the topic of Health Safety and Welfare (HSW). For example, architects registered in Massachusetts must earn a minimum of 12 credits annually, which must be in Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) topics. One hour equals one credit. Credits must be earned within the 12-month license renewal cycle; Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.

Any course or program approved by the AIA, CSI, NAAB or NCARB is automatically accepted by the Board.

NCARB's Role and Resources

NCARB plays a crucial role in facilitating continuing education for architects. If the architects at your firm have active NCARB records, they can participate in the Continuum Education Program by taking continuing education (CE) courses for free. NCARB Certificate holders have access to NCARB’s free continuing education courses as part of our Continuing Education Program, a collection of in-depth, online self-study materials that help professionals maintain and expand their competence. Continuing education courses for non-certified architects cost $25 per course. NCARB offers CE courses on a variety of topics, worth .5 - 2.5 learning units (LU) each. Each course is written by industry experts, and qualify for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit. NCARB’s CE courses have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars! You can browse NCARB’s extensive collection of CE courses at ce.ncarb.org.

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Earning AXP Credit Through Continuing Education

Beyond fulfilling continuing education requirements for license renewal, architects can also leverage CE courses to gain Architectural Experience Program (AXP) credit. You may earn up to 20 hours per experience area by completing validated continuing education (CE) courses that qualify for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit, as defined by the NCARB Continuing Education Guidelines. You can earn AXP credit under this experience opportunity, whether or not you are currently employed by an architecture firm. In order to earn AXP credit under this opportunity, you must upload a CE transcript from a reporting organization that has been pre-approved by NCARB. Input individual courses that are included in your transcript. CE reporting organizations must be approved by NCARB in advance of earning your CE credit. One HSW learning unit earns one AXP hour. NCARB’s HSW Continuum Education courses are a great option under this category, since they’re available at no additional charge for licensure candidates as long as you have an active NCARB Record.

There are two opportunities that allow you to gain AXP experience by completing continuing education courses. First, you can earn up to 10 hours in Practice Management by completing NCARB’s Professional Conduct CE Series. Each course in the series is worth between 1-3 continuing education hours in Health, Safety, and Welfare. In addition, you may earn up to 20 hours per experience area by completing validated continuing education resources or programs that qualify for HSW under setting O's Continuing Education for HSW opportunity. Accrediting or reporting organizations must be pre-approved by NCARB.

Important Considerations for AXP Credit

Keep in mind, if you complete an NCARB CE course for AXP hours, you will not be eligible to repeat the same CE course for continuing education credit for license renewal.

Strategies for Successfully Meeting CE Requirements

Balancing professional responsibilities with continuing education can be challenging. Here are some strategies to help architects effectively manage their CE:

Be flexible with your architects’ work schedules to allow for studying and learning opportunities.
Understand that juggling a hectic workload and making time to learn can be overwhelming, so it’s important to provide the moral support necessary to help pave your architects’ way to success.
When your architects advance their learning, their careers, or even finish a challenging project, celebrate their successes as a firm.
Balancing multiple projects and communicating with clients can make it challenging to find time for meaningful professional development and earning hours toward your annual HSW continuing education (CE) requirement. Fortunately, NCARB's continuing education courses are designed to fit into your busy schedule while offering expert instruction on some of the most pressing topics in practice.

Examples of NCARB Continuing Education Courses

NCARB offers a diverse range of CE courses covering various topics relevant to architectural practice. Here are a few examples:

The History of the Building Envelope: This course unpacks the historical development of walls, windows, and doors through a critical examination of historical ruptures and traces how the envelope evolved from a primitive barrier to a complex mediator of cultural context, environment, and climate.
Adaptive Reuse: An Alternative to New Construction: This course addresses the social well-being fostered by preserving and revitalizing existing urban fabric, understanding the intent of and complying with regulatory challenges, and supporting sustainability through reuse and systems upgrades while improving accessibility to existing buildings.
Design for Net-Zero Energy and Carbon, Part 1: This course examines the relationship between energy use and carbon emissions, plus teaches the relevant codes, standards, and certifications for architects designing for net-zero energy and net-zero carbon.
Barrier-Free Design and the 2010 ADA Standards: By taking the course “Barrier-Free Design and the 2010 ADA Standards,” you can learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), review current ADA standards, and learn from common accessibility mistakes made in new construction. It also demonstrates how the seven principles of universal design can enhance your projects in both countries.
AXP Supervisor Training: Explore the science behind professional training, tips for giving useful feedback, and how to use the experience program to structure your candidate’s professional development.
Accommodating Shrinkage in Multistory Wood-Frame Structures: Cumulative wood shrinkage can impact the function and performance of finishes, openings, MEP systems, and structural connections.

Maintaining Records and Compliance

Architects are responsible for keeping their own continuing‑education records. The records must be maintained for at least two years from the date of completion of the qualifying program. Licensees are subject to a random audit of LUs completed during each license term. The License renewal form will have a check-off required which certifies that the renewing architect has met the CE requirements. A random audit will be performed after the renewals are received and ONLY those selected for audit will be required to submit written documentation of their CE activities.

NCARB Record and Certificate

To practice architecture in the United States, you must earn a license from the regulatory board in the jurisdiction where you want to practice. states and territories (or jurisdictions) sets their own requirements for licensure. Before you begin the process, you should check your jurisdiction’s requirements. Gain and document the required experience. Pass the ARE®. Meet any extra jurisdictional requirements. Have your NCARB Record transmitted to the jurisdiction where you would like to be licensed. Your NCARB Record is a detailed, verified account of your education, experience, and examination history. To create your NCARB Record, you will also need a free My NCARB account. Fill in the required information. More information on the cost of establishing and maintaining your NCARB Record can be found on our fees page. If you’re already licensed, you may be eligible for the NCARB Certificate-a tool to help you expand your professional goals. jurisdictions. First, you will need to establish or reactivate your NCARB Record. Did you get licensed before the experience program was required? Are you an architect licensed outside the United States seeking NCARB certification? Once NCARB has received proof of licensure from your board and you have met the requirements for certification, we will evaluate your Record. The evaluation response time is approximately 30 business days. The cost associated with establishing and maintaining an NCARB Certificate can be found on our fees page.

Additional Resources and Opportunities in Massachusetts

There is a wealth of continuing education opportunities available through AIA education providers such as the BSA, other AIA chapters, the BAC, NCARB, architectural journals and online learning sites, and we encourage you to take advantage of them. Here are some common examples of AIA programs accepted by Massachusetts:

Lunchtime seminars- Yes, you can earn state credit for seminars that offer AIA Learning Units (LU's, HSW). Lunchtime programs are sometimes registered with AIA by the host firm, by a vendor or other presenter.
AIA Chapter Committee meetings that focus on technical or other professional issues- Any AIA program that offers AIA LU's HSW is acceptable to Massachusetts.
Build Boston and other conferences/conventions- The BSA's annual Build Boston conference offers many workshops where you can earn AIA LU's HSW. Conferences and workshops sponsored by other organizations may also offer AIA credit; be sure to review the registration information for continuing education details.
Architecture Boston Expo (ABX) and other conferences/conventions- The BSA's annual Architecture Boston Expo (ABX) offers many educational workshops where you can earn AIA credits. Conferences and workshops sponsored by other organizations may also offer AIA credit; be sure to review the registration information for continuing education details.
Teaching or giving a professional presentation- If you teach an undergraduate or graduate level course you earn 12 contact hours per academic credit awarded for the course, but only for the first time you teach the course. If you give an AIA-approved presentation you earn the number of contact hours equal to the hours of instruction, but only for the first time you give the presentation.
Articles in Architectural Journals- Articles with related quizzes are published in Architectural Record and some other industry publications.

AIA members may report self-study activities via the AIA Continuing Education System. For others wishing to submit self-study proposals, the Massachusetts Board meets bi-monthly, it will review each submitted request for consideration individually and respond as quickly as possible.

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