To all of you who have responded to the US, Canada, Mexico agreement press release, I hope I can help clear up a few of your concerns, and perhaps misunderstandings. I was the 2002 President of NCARB and actively involved in these negotiations for the better part of 6 years. Some of the credentials required by the 3 organizations are in fact ideas that I developed during those early years. So much for my credentials.
NCARB can only issue an NCARB certificate, nothing more, nothing less. From my read of the press release NCARB has reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico that would qualify individuals who meet the agreed upon criteria to hold an NCARB certificate. With the certificate those individuals can apply for licensure in any US state or jurisdiction, and it is up to the licensing board to determine if their individual laws will allow a license to be issued - nothing different from what US architects have to do now. Some licensing boards have it in their laws that the NCARB certificate is all that is required for reciprocity, others had additional requirements in addition to the certificate.
Is this a big deal - yes. But it does not open the doors to anyone who wants to come to the US, Canada, or Mexico and practice architecture. I was a strong proponent that someone who was interested in international practice should be an experienced person who understood that there were not only laws that governed our profession, but ethical issues as well. From what I see of the credentials required I think I am satisfied that the "international architect" meets my criteria.
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C. Bevins FAIA
Architect
Atraix Group
Charlotte NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-28-2014 19:43
From: Rodrigo Godoy Alcarraz
Subject: US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
Dear Charles
I fully understand your point and agree with you that NCARB has no power to decide or to compel a state regarding who should or should not be recognized or registered, basically considering that you are a country that has many climatic and geological areas requiring specificity in knowledge, which until now has worked well and there is no reason to innovate with professionals who surely are unfamiliar with this local reality. I am not opposed to your position, I only say that if there is qualified Architects, should open them opportunities to apply and get jobs or projects in USA.
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Rodrigo Godoy Alcarraz
Intl. Assoc. AIA
Associate NZIA
partner - architect
EcoDiseño Sustentable
Santiago, Chile
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-24-2014 23:09
From: Charles Graham
Subject: US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
Alcaraz, you missed the point. The NCARB has no authority over the states when deciding whom to accept for registration. The NCARB is out of line in making such negotiations.
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Charles Graham AIA
Architect
O'Neal, Inc.
Greenville SC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2014 22:11
From: Rodrigo Godoy Alcarraz
Subject: US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
@Charles
you need to understand that this is an agreement, to open doors to foreign architects, this does not secure that they will be recognized or they are going to have projects or jobs in USA....the NCARB statement clearly say "Qualified architects, from each country, who satisfy the requirements of the agreement, will be granted a credential that will lead to a license to practice architecture in the host country."; no one is saying they will have open doors to practice, even NCARB establishes a few requirements like:
- Completion of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB/CCCA), Acreditadora Nacional de Programas de Arquitectura y Disciplinas del Espacio Habitable (ANPADEH), or recognized equivalent.
- A minimum of 10 years of post-licensure experience in the architect's home jurisdiction.
- Proof of "Good Standing" in the home jurisdiction, as verified by the local regulatory authority.
- Knowledge of the codes, laws, and other matters applicable to the practice of architecture in the host country.
- Submission of a dossier of work to satisfy the specific competencies outlined in the agreement related to "responsible control and comprehensive practice."
- Completion of an interview before a review panel in the host country, conducted in the language of the host country.
this are enough requirements and limits.
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Rodrigo Godoy Alcarraz
Intl. Assoc. AIA
Associate NZIA
partner - architect
EcoDiseño Sustentable
Santiago, Chile
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2014 21:21
From: Charles Graham
Subject: US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
In the USA the decision to recognize registrations from other countries, and even from other states is decided by each state, individually. Neither the AIA nor the NCARB has no authority to make such an agreement on behalf of the states.
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Charles Graham AIA
Architect
O'Neal, Inc.
Greenville SC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-08-2014 10:20
From: Derek Washam
Subject: US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
From ArchDaily
http://www.archdaily.com/574615/us-canada-and-mexico-agree-to-recognize-architect-credentials/
US, Canada, and Mexico to Recognize Architect Credentials
A tri-national agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico will now allow architects to work across borders in North America. As reported by the US National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), in conjunction with the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) and the Federacion de Colegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana (FCARM), representatives from the architectural regulatory authorities in all three countries have agreed to mutually recognize architect credentials.
"The agreement represents over a decade of negotiations, bringing cross-border recognition of professional credentials from concept to reality in the spirit of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)," stated NCARB in a press release. "Qualified architects, from each country, who satisfy the requirements of the agreement, will be granted a credential that will lead to a license to practice architecture in the host country."
In order to take advantage of this new agreement, architects must satisfy specific education and work qualifications, including:
- Completion of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB/CCCA), Acreditadora Nacional de Programas de Arquitectura y Disciplinas del Espacio Habitable (ANPADEH), or recognized equivalent.
- A minimum of 10 years of post-licensure experience in the architect's home jurisdiction.
- Proof of "Good Standing" in the home jurisdiction, as verified by the local regulatory authority.
- Knowledge of the codes, laws, and other matters applicable to the practice of architecture in the host country.
- Submission of a dossier of work to satisfy the specific competencies outlined in the agreement related to "responsible control and comprehensive practice."
- Completion of an interview before a review panel in the host country, conducted in the language of the host country.
You can review the eligibility requirements and program information in greater detail here on the NCARB website.
Derek Washam
Manager, Federal & International Programs
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
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