Meet San Antonio’s New Architecture Licensing Advisor Action Team!

The Architecture Licensing Advisors Community is an NCARB appointed group of volunteers committed to assisting licensure candidates and Architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity.
Architecture licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and Architects.

Our team is ready to: 

• Serve as an information resource for licensure candidates and architects on the path to licensure (education, experience, and examination).
• Provide guidance along the transition from candidate to practicing architect within the context of state regulatory requirements, reciprocity, and NCARB certification.
• Advise and assist licensure candidates with the NCARB Record application and documentation process.

Our Action team is taking the Advisory Position one step further by creating a dynamic, 3 part “Action Team” dedicated to providing assistance to anyone that should have questions. As a united team, we will bring Licensure focused programming and outreach to the San Antonio Architecture Community, and will be advocates not only for licensure, but for transparency in all aspects of the process of becoming a licensed Architect.

Please reach out to us anytime! We look forward to serving our community, and welcome any opportunity to engage.

– San Antonio Action Team

Ask the ALA Action Team
Sarah Monroe, Associate AIA

Sarah Monroe, Associate AIA

Chapter Architectural Licensing Advisor
Lucy Cervantes, Associate AIA

Lucy Cervantes, Associate AIA

Student Architectural Licensing Advisor

FAQs

First, check to see if your country of licensure is part of the Mutual Recognition Agreement. That agreement is between Canada, The US, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

If so, congrats! Reach out to NCARB for instructions on how to obtain your License to practice in the US.

If not:

In order for an Architect Licensed in another country to legally practice in the US, they need to go through the NCARB International Architect Path.

https://www.ncarb.org/ncarb-certificate/benefits/get-certified/international-architects-application

The good news is that the 2 year restriction to practice is being lifted, so as soon as you go through the proper NCARB requirements you should be allowed to immediately begin to practice.

If your body of work can show that you have already hit all of the required competencies covered by the AXP process you may be eligible to submit a portfolio showing that in lieu of having to go through the entire AXP process.

You will need to reach out to NCARB for the most clear pathway forward. Be sure to keep any direction from NCARB in writing.

NCARB anticipates launching the changes to the AXP in November 2025, and the changes to the ARE in April 2026.

Visit this link for updates to AXP:

AXP Changes

No, the experience areas and required hours will not change as part of the updates to the AXP, so candidates will not need to transition any AXP credit. However, the change to the reporting requirement means that many candidates will gain AXP credit as reports previously approved for 50% credit will be automatically increased to 75% credit on November 18, 2025.

Exam eligibility is essentially your permission to start taking the ARE. You can request exam eligibility from any licensing board—whether it’s the jurisdiction where you live or simply where you meet the eligibility requirements. The jurisdiction that grants your eligibilities is known as your “testing jurisdiction.” Once you have been granted eligibilities, you can start taking the exam.

To request eligibility through your NCARB Record, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to My NCARB and click on your NCARB Record
  2. Go to “Exams”
  3. Click “Request Eligibility”

After the NCARB system confirms that you meet your jurisdiction’s requirements, an email will be sent to your board asking them to approve your request. If you have any questions about eligibilities, Contact TBAE from the link on our page.

You will receive a confirmation email immediately after submitting your request with instructions for next steps, and a second confirmation email after your eligibilities have been established. If you don’t meet your jurisdiction’s requirements, you will receive a message indicating why.

You are responsible for maintaining your exam eligibility with your registration board. Because the rules vary from board to board and are subject to change, it is important for you to stay informed of your individual registration board’s policies and procedures. This includes notifying them of any address changes so they can contact you about eligibility renewals or any other important licensure information.

For the TBAE website click the TBAE button above, and email them with any jurisdictional related questions.

Upcoming Events

Nasario Arreguin, AIA

Nasario Arreguin, AIA

Architectural Licensing Advisor
Gerry Noriega, AIA

Gerry Noriega, AIA

Architectural Licensing Advisor

Resources

TBAE ARE SCHOLARSHIP FORM!!!! ARE 5.0 Changes Coming Soon! NCARB Jurisdiction Map Tool TBAE Home Page NCARB YouTube