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Education from a Foreign College/University and/or Work Experience Pathway

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Overview

Individuals must complete the Foreign Licensed Architects process to obtain licensure in California.

NOTE: Only a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is acceptable on the form (a Canadian Social Security Number is not acceptable).

Education Evaluation

Candidates seeking credit for their foreign degree must complete either a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) Education Evaluation Service for Architects (EESA) or National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) approved education evaluation service.

NAAB EESA

An approved NAAB EESA automatically grants a candidate 5 years of credit, and a candidate’s testing will be authorized as soon as the Board receives the approval from NCARB.

NOTE: A NAAB EESA allows candidates an opportunity to seek licensure in multiple U.S. jurisdictions (46 U.S. jurisdictions accept it).

NACES Evaluation

Foreign college or university degree(s) will be granted credit based on a comparable U.S. degree (see requirements for eligibility). Certified transcript(s) must be evaluated from a NACES approved educational evaluation service. The maximum credit a candidate may earn through a NACES evaluation is four years. Additional work experience under each architect licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction must be documented on a separate Employment Verification Form and submitted as a hardcopy with original signatures to the Board.

The NACES evaluation is only valid in California; have the evaluation service send the "short" or "general" evaluation to the California Architects Board. Do NOT have the company send the evaluation to NCARB, as NCARB does not accept the NACES evaluation.

Work Experience in a Qualifying Foreign Country

A candidate who has work experience under an architect licensed in qualifying foreign country may earn credit at 50%. The work experience under each architect must be documented on a separate Employment Verification Form and submitted as a hardcopy with original signatures to the Board (a copy of the foreign architect license may also be required)

NOTE: A minimum of one year work experience under an architect licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction or two years under an architect(s) registered in a Canadian province is required to earn an architect license in California.