National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

What it reported doing in 2024

Member services- the council strengthened its support for its architectural licensing boards by refreshing several tools used to provide key services, providing open communication and assistance as needed, and continuing to encourage the alignment of licensing requirements between jurisdictions. Ncarb partnered with state and territorial licensing boards and other members of the architect community in the following activities that support the council's mission to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public: ncarb activities included: securely maintained records for access by state and territorial members regarding all phases of an architect's career, from education through licensure to ncarb certification and interstate reciprocity. Evaluated and transmitted records and other data essential to the licensing functions of the jurisdictional members licensing boards with a high degree of accuracy and speed, including expedited transmittals for most customers. Verified that licensure candidates had met the initial licensure requirements defined by the relevant licensing board prior to transmittal.continued to evolve the national standards for education, experience, and examination of architects.successfully administered the architectural experience program(axp) and the architect registration examination(are) for emerging professionals to satisfy registration requirements in the 55 u.s. Jurisdictions.provided free full-length practice exams for each division of the licensing exam, ensuring that all candidates have access to quality test prep materials.refreshed and streamlined customers' online account portal with an improved user experience, greater accessibility, and other helpful tools. Proactively sought to provide insight to federal, state, and local government entities debating the role of professional and occupational licensure.collaborated with other related regulatory organizations, providing national subject-matter experts and supporting data and analysis regarding the state of the architectural profession. Developed and released a new document establishing a set of standard competencies needed at the point of initial licensure as an architect, and began developing programmatic updates to align with the new standard. Collaborated with representatives from other architecture and design professional organizations through a licensure advisory forum. This collaborative effort enables a holistic view of the licensure requirements. Conducted an instructional program to support the professional development of faculty teaching professional practice curricula within architecture programs.published the results of a research effort identifying the key knowledge and skills needed for entry-level individuals beginning an architecture career. Offered focused training resources and guidance for individuals acting as supervisors of licensure candidates participating in the national experience programthe axp.implemented a new training program for future licensing board and volunteer leadership, ensuring that future organization leaders are well-prepared to guide strategic endeavors. Prepared policy adjustments to the integrated path to architectural licensure (ipal) initiative, which enables students to streamline their path to licensure. Increased the portfolio of online hsw continuing education content offerings, provided at no cost to ncarb-certified architects to support licensure renewal requirements in most jurisdictions. Implemented an updated reciprocity agreement with our counterpart organizations in australia and new zealand, negotiated an updated reciprocity agreement with our counterpart organization in canada, and negotiated a new reciprocity agreement with our counterpart organization in south africa to expand international practice opportunities. Provided a path to certification and professional mobility for architects who are licensed but have little or no architecture-related education. In fy25, ncarb develope

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 73.6%; rating input score 74; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 80%; rating input score 80; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 8.1%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.22; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.45; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.1%; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 5.2% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 50th percentile among comparable filings