The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) have implemented a new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). It replaces the previous MRA between the countries, created in 2016, further expanding licensure access for international architects.

The new agreement recognizes the professional credentials of architects licensed or registered in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand and acknowledges the value of the various pathways to licensure within each country. As a result, unnecessary barriers to reciprocal licensure, such as extended experience requirements and limited paths to licensure or registration, are being reduced.

As stated by NCARB President Kenneth R. Van Tine, “The updated agreement is pivotal to NCARB’s effort to expand pathways to practice now recognizing all NCARB Certificate holders, including those who achieved licensure through non-traditional paths. I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to open the door to international practice for architects of all backgrounds.”

The updated eligibility requirements include: eliminating the existing requirement that architects must have 6,000 hours of post-licensure or registration experience, which expands eligibility to newly licensed architects, and accepting architects who obtained their license or registration through various routes, including alternative qualifications and international architect pathways. With the updated MRA, the NCARB, AACA, and NZRAB hope to foster increased knowledge exchange and collaboration between architects across these countries.

“These updates to the agreement are a testament to our collective commitment to the vision of a more interconnected architectural community—one that reflects the evolving needs of a global profession committed to addressing worldwide challenges through innovation, creativity, and exemplary design,” says AACA President Dr. Giorgio Marfella.

“The MRA will make it easier for registered architects to work in Australia and the United States,” adds NZRAB Acting Chief Executive, Judith Taylor. “Working globally enables New Zealand architects to learn from world leading practitioners and demonstrates that New Zealand is becoming an epicenter for design excellence.”