It’s starting to feel like fall again, and hopefully our Component’s Candidates and Supervisors are coming off a fun, educational, and productive summer. Back in July I had the opportunity to attend NCARB’s bi-annual Licensing Advisor Summit in Minneapolis, along with dozens of other Licensing Advisors from around the globe. As an attendee and presenter, I had a unique perspective as I engaged with new and experienced Advisors, attended sessions by other subject matter experts, and learned alongside others in our community. NCARB has been busy working on the objectives of their strategic plan and had plenty of updates to share, some leadership changes, and new resources for Advisors and Candidates.
One of the biggest steps in their quest to improve the licensure process is the rollout of the Competency Standard for Architects. The objective of the Standard is to define a baseline for the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that all newly licensed architects must have as they enter practice. It includes 16 Competencies in three domains, that are vital and necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and establishes the level of proficiency needed for an individual to qualify for initial licensure. Architects must also maintain these capabilities to remain competent as they grow in their careers.
The three domains and 16 competencies are:
Design & Documentation Domain
- Assess regulatory design requirements.
- Evaluate existing project conditions.
- Develop a program that establishes project criteria.
- Create design solutions that support public and environmental well-being.
- Integrate socio-demographic considerations and universal design principles.
- Create design solutions that address project requirements.
- Create deliverables that convey a design solution.
- Coordinate the integration of building systems into a project design.
Construction Administration Domain
- Prepare and administer documentation of the construction phase.
- Evaluate the progress of construction for conformance with contract documents and design intent.
Practice & Project Management Domain
- Execute contracts for professional services.
- Implement a work plan according to a project’s scope, schedule, and budget.
- Organize and coordinate an interdisciplinary project team.
- Understand statutes and regulations that govern architectural practice within U.S. jurisdictions to provide services legally.
- Understand ethical and professional standards that govern architectural practice.
- Understand foundational business principles to operate a practice.
The overview of the Standard sparked a lively discussion and lots of questions in the room and the group delved into the development of the new guidelines. In general, the 16 Competencies should not be viewed as discreet items or “all an architect needs to know.” They’re meant to be umbrella categories that more detailed tasks and skillsets fall under. Many of the competencies include both quantitative and qualitative aspects of practice, in an effort to ensure that architects are well-rounded professionals; are up to date on technical codes and standards, meet project and client requirements, administer the construction phase of a project, and stay engaged with their local communities. The inclusion of these requirements will be gradually incorporated into the AXP and ARE – none of this will be applied overnight, so don’t worry about big changes to exam content or your experience areas. If you want to dive in and learn more, you can find more about the Competency Standard online.
I’m also excited that AIA Virginia has re-appointed me to serve as the Component Appointed Licensing Advisor through August 2027! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some of our Candidates in the Commonwealth over the last few years and look forward to working with more of you in the future.
As always, your questions about AXP, the AREs, or NCARB in general are always welcome and encouraged.
Gina Robinson, AIA
Architect Licensing Advisor – Virginia
gina.robinson@hdrinc.com
