RIBA-USA Reciprocity

RIBA-USA members have been contributing to the ongoing articles printed in the recent issues of the Building Design written by Karen Glaser and Damian Arnold. The articles discussed the general issues of working in the USA and how the current reciprocity situation affects British architects. These can be accessed at the reciprocity news page

Since the unilateral suspension of the reciprocity agreement between the UK and US by NCARB in 1990, the RIBA-USA has been campaigning for it's reinstatement. The RIBA in London has been working hard with the UK registration Board ARB and EU partners to rebuild reciprocity with the US. RIBA-USA remains a faithful friend and proactive partner to this process. RIBA-USA works at the international, national and local level to reinstate an equitable and simple system of reciprocity, now more accurately referred to as a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). A positive outcome is still not in sight due to a breakdown of trust between NCARB and the UK’s delegated negotiating partner, the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE). The ACE believed in good faith that NCARB (55 US states and territories’ licensing boards) would deliver 100% backing for a license-for-license Mutual Recognition Agreement. For its part, NCARB believes that ACE has not properly understood the way the US works, namely that interstate movement is based on an NCARB Blue Cover Certificate and that this certificate alone is not sufficient to enable some States to grant a license. The ACE-NCARB agreement was always based on Blue Cover and the ACE had gone to extra trouble to develop a parallel certificate to certify the fact of a license in an EU state, the fact of an approved qualification and the fact of seven years education plus seven years’ post license experience. The ACE believe that NCARB’s insistence on each incoming EU architect having to carry an NCARB file is against the spirit of the original agreement, although, as we all know in the US this is entirely normal.

International Level

On 18-19 February 2003 the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE), representing architects in Europe, and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) together with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) representing architects in the United States, started professional negotiations for a (future) Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). It was intended to conclude the negotiations by mid-2004, but these are still ongoing having (June 2005) reached an impasse on the issue of NCARB's insistence (entirely normal in the US) on each incoming architect, once NCARB certified, being obliged to carry an NCARB Blue Cover File. The problem is regrettable because at the time that mattered - ie when the process began, the EU side believed its architects would have access to all 55 US states and territories without further let or hindrance because the agreement would be based on Blue Cover. However, the limitations of Blue Cover have only just become clear to ACE. Our advice to ACE has always been that they should not expect from NCARB any more than NCARB already grants to US architects and to recognize that, although previous problems of inter-state movement within the US have now drastically diminished, Blue Cover is still no absolute guarantee that a new State will grant an architect a license without further testing or examination.

The envisaged Agreement always aimed to set out specific criteria, procedures and practical measures for the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates, and practice experience that will result in the full portability of qualifications between member states of the EU and US as political and economic entities. The initial Accord was signed by the parties. December 6th 2002 in Washington. A copy of this Accord can be downloaded here. The impasse that began in May 2005 has left the process in somewhat of a shambles. We are asking all members with links to individuals at NCARB or ACE to impress upon both sides how silly it would be now to sacrifice the careers of hundreds of talented US and European architects over the de-facto cultural difference between the EU way of inter-state licensing (barrier free) and that of the US (States' rights prevail).

In recognition of the constantly changing practice setting, both in the states and around the EU, RIBA-USA urges in addition that voluntary programs of induction should be developed to assist incoming professionals to adapt to each specific new setting and that a voluntary local partnership should be established to ensure that local customs and practices can be properly assimilated.

National Level

In April 2005, a memorandum was sent to the ACE General Secretary to guide ACE in its dialogue with NCARB, principally on the issue of inter-state movement within the USA - a copy of this memorandum can be downloaded here. If you have additional observations, please share them with us at any time at riba-usa@anet.net

Local Level

The New England Chapter is currently lobbying the Massachusetts Registration Board regarding the standards required for all foreign educated architects. Stephen Stenson issued a report to the board that compares the NCARB Education Standard against the all NAAB approved architectural programs in Massachusetts. The Mass Registration Board has now approved this document and NCARB has charged a special committee to take up its recommendations..

The Debbie Bentley, Co-Chair of the New England Chapter, provides support through the Alien Architects committee of the BSA. This group of architects gather monthly at the BSA to share information, wisdom, tips, ideas on everything from finding work to dealing with U.S. licensing issues.

For more information on reciprocity contact Stephen Stenson at