EESA Foreign Degree

Can you please tell me licensing procedure to work as an architect in USA.  I have heard that B.Arch/M.Arch degree from India is not sufficient.for that there would be another procedures by AIA.  If you know any details regarding this kindly help me.
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In the U.S., an individual needs to fulfill three requirements for most jurisdictions - 1) education, 2) experience, and 3) examination.

For 1) education, a BArch/MArch from another country such as India will not serve as an automatic equivalent, but you can submit your credentials to EESA (https://www.eesa-naab.org/home.aspx) to determine that your education is equivalent to the NCARB Education Standard.  In most cases, it will not be totally equivalent, but EESA will share what you need to complete.

After education, you must complete IDP - Intern Development Program to fulfill the experience component.  Once you have met education and IDP, you are eligible to sit for the ARE - Architect Registration Examination.  For details on IDP and ARE, visit NCARB - http://www.ncarb.org.

I hope this is helpful.

Licensing for foreign architects

I am sending you seeking your advice regarding becoming a licensed architect in the USA.

I finished my architectural studies from the German Jordanian University in Amman, Jordan and I hold a Bachelor of Architecture degree. 

I have been researching the process for becoming a licensed architect and I need to know first if my school is an accredited university by the NAAB. I sent them an email with my request but was not lucky and got no response. Any suggestions where can I get such information? I tried the NAAB website but also wasn't lucky enough.

Do you think I have good chances of becoming a licensed architect in USA since I am not American and I did not get my degree from an accredited school in the USA? I know it is a long process and I am willing to go through it till the end but has it happened before that non-American architects get the license and are allowed to work in USA?

Thank you for your help, looking forward to hear from you soon.

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First, I can say with certainty that your degree is not accredited by NAAB, but you can still pursue licensure in the U.S. 

Next, I would suggest you review the following website:

http://www.ncarb.org/en/Getting-an-Initial-License/Foreign-Architects.aspx
If you do not qualify for the BEFA or choose to pursue the traditional path toward licensure, the three main requirements you must fulfill to be licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction include education, experience, and examination. Recognize that not all jurisdictions have adopted NCARB's education and experience standards. All questions regarding your eligibility must be directed to your jurisdiction’s registration board.

Do recognize that you apply for licensure with a particular state, but NCARB facilitates the process for documenting your education, experience, and examination.

You will need to have your education evaluated via EESA; below is their website.
https://www.eesa-naab.org/home.aspx

There is certainly a good chance of becoming licensed if your education is equivalent to the NCARB Education Standard, you complete IDP and pass the ARE.

Contact EESA or NCARB with more detailed questions.  Best!

International Education

My daughter wants to study and become an architect. However she is thinking of studying this in the UK or Australia-If she wants to practice in America as an architect would the UK degrees or Australian degrees be recognized in America? What does she have to do to gain her license once qualified in lets say California or Florida?

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Congrats to your daughter for pursuing a career in architecture.

To become licensed as an architect in the United States, one must fulfill the requirements of the state/jurisdiction in which they wish to practice.  In most states, you need to fulfill 1) education (NAAB professional degree), 2) experience (fulfill IDP), and 3 examination (pass all divisions of ARE).  You may wish to contact the NCARB website to learn the specifics of Florida and California

If she decides to study in the UK or Australia, she would need to have her education evaluated against the NCARB Education Standard better known as EESA.

You may also wish to review the Canberra Accord with regards to an education in Australia.

http://www.naab.org/international/canberraaccord.aspx

Best!

NCARB Licensure

After first personal ARCHITECTURE level as undergraduate M.Arch /5 years curriculum of Arch. faculty of Belgrade University / DIPLOMA, afterward intention to pass MArch II on HARVARD /so since that is NOT accredited by NCARB ?/, will you guide me how to pass - qualify as Graduated Architect for licensure with NCARB, please?

Will you be so kind recommend to me some NCARB accredited, as well, high level as HARVARD faculty school MArch II program, please?

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As your undergraduate MArch is from a foreign institution, you will need to have your education (both degrees) evaluated as part of the EESA process.

This will review your education and determine its equivalency to the NCARB Education Standard. 

https://www.eesa-naab.org/home.aspx

http://www.ncarb.org/Certification-and-Reciprocity/EESA.aspx

Once your education has been determined equivalent you will have met the education standrard; afterwards, you will need to meet the training (IDP) and examination (ARE) standards.

Your best source of information on licensure is NCARB - http://www.ncarb.org

Best!  Dr. Architecture

Foreign Architect

I am writing in regard to my career and new situation as I am an architect holding an architectural BSC. degree from a university in Egypt, I am also PMP certified and working for a firm in Kuwait.  However I am now U.S. green card holder and I am seriously thinking to move to the United States NYC. Please advise me what process needed to be done in order to be able to work in NYC and if my certificate needs accreditation what steps should I follow.

 

Your support will be highly appreciated

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To become a licensed architect in the U.S., one needs 1) education, 2) experience, and 3) examination.  While it slightly varies from state to state, NCARB does require a professional accredited degree in architecture, completion of IDP and passing of the ARE to obtain certification allowing one to gain reciprocity from state to state.

For your education in Egypt, you will need to have it evaluated by EESA - 

https://www.eesa-naab.org/home.aspx -- It is a process by which they evaluate your education against the NCARB Education Standard.

You may also wish to review the following from NCARB --
http://www.ncarb.org/Getting-an-Initial-License/Foreign-Architects.aspx

Best!

 

Dr. Architecture 

Foreign Degree / EESA

I have a 4 year pre-professional degree from Washington U /St Louis (2008). After completion of this degree, I attended Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) in Finland where I received 48 credits in advanced study focusing on wood architecture and construction (60 credits are noted as one full time academic year on the transcript). I am currently doing further advanced studies at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture, noted as a Master’s program in Architecture, which is a two semester coursework. Upon completion, the graduate is awarded the Diploma on Architecture (cand.arch.). I have an interest to obtain a license to practice architecture in Alaska, which requires a NAAB accredited or otherwise deemed equivalent degree/education.

My million dollar question to you is: Do you think I have a chance going through the EESA process with a 4 year pre-professional degree in architecture + 2 years of advanced studies in architecture from two different universities in Scandinavia + no practical experience or should I reorganize and attend an accredited program in the U.S. to insure licensure track? I’m concerned that an EESA review might not be favorable without a solid foreign study program to back up the 4 year pre-professional degree.

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Given that you are receiving a foreign degree, you should be set to meet the NCARB Education Standard (http://www.ncarb.org/en/News-and-Events/Announcements/2009/Education-Guidelines.aspx) via the EESA process. With that said, candidates typically fall short through the evaluation process but can take additional courses to meet the deficiency. For example, many do not have professional practice.

I would suggest you call EESA (NAAB) for further insight. It will also help that you have the undergraduate degree via Washington Univ.

FOREIGN-EDUCATED APPLICANTS
If you have a professional degree in architecture from a country other than the United States or Canada and your degree meets the requirements for licensure in that country, you must have your education evaluated through the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA).

Dr. Architecture