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Filtering by Tag: MRA

Preparing to take the Mutual Recognition Agreement Exam

Fiona Mckay

On Tuesday 8th April 2025 the chapter held a session on Preparing for the UK/USA Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects presented by Alex Miller, AIA RIBA and Bryan Oknyansky, AIA hosted at KPF architects offices in Covent Garden. The chapter has considered and campaigned for Mutual Recognition since its founding. Now with the process up and running as adminstered by the ARB, Bryan and Alex shared their experience as two of the early cohort to successfully pass the adaptation assessment exam. The event was well attended by practitioners at various career stages. We were appreciative that our guests included the attendance of Chris Williamson, RIBA, the 2025-2027 RIBA President.

While the ARB has refined the information available for candidates since launch including the Reference Sources Resource list, no study guide as such been available until now.

We trust the recording from this event and the slides from the presentation adapted as a guide assist future candidates seeking reciprocity.

Please find the event recording HERE and the presentation slides HERE.

Written by Alex Miller, AIA RIBA

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My MRA Experience: Bryan Oknyansky on Licensure

Fiona Mckay

Before the MRA, I was resigned to never being a qualified (equivalent to “licensed” as we say in the US) architect in the UK. I heard too many stories from skilled, talented and experienced American architectural professionals that started on the traditional 3-part UK Architectural Registration Board (ARB) path to qualification that ended with a lot of money and time spent only to be denied a qualification through an opaque determination process. And then, to this day, the only silver lining of Brexit is that the UK was able to negotiate directly with the US on reciprocity via the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA).

I was sceptical of this process as it was expensive and administered through the same organisation that administered the aforementioned traditional qualification process. I had a desire to be the, or one of the, first to become qualified through the MRA route. Alas, I waited to see how others faired before setting the costly process in motion. Eventually, after about a year had passed, I took the plunge and started the process to become the 14th applicant for qualification under the MRA.

At first glance, there seemed to be minimal criteria to submit information for consideration during the qualification process – a CV and a reflective career summary with specific references to learning outcomes and competencies found within appendices in the ARB qualification handbook. Given my past experience with the traditional 3-part qualification route, I felt I had to go above and beyond with the information I provided in response to the qualification requirements – better safe than sorry.

Eventually, a meeting was scheduled following payment of the MRA fee, a sort of pow wow with tribal elders, which is something I feel is more appropriate to gain an architectural qualification than a standardised test. The proctor’s requirement to make no indications as to how the meeting was going for the applicant notwithstanding, they wanted to get to know me, ask me about how architectural education and licensing works in the US, and learn that the professional and ethical values prized by NCARB are virtually identical to those prized by the ARB. It was great to be finally done with tip-toeing around the use of the title “architect” in the country I’ve come to call home for 14 years at that point.

Written by Bryan Oknyansky, AIA, ARB

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My MRA Experience: Glenn Harmon on Licensure via the Mutual Recognition Agreement

Fiona Mckay

I first approached the ARB in 2016 to see what options were available for becoming chartered given that I qualified in the early 1990s, was registered in eight states (all of New England plus New York and Pennsylvania), and held an NCARB certificate. I was invited to an interview at their Weymouth Street offices to discuss the process where I was informed that the ARB and NCARB were finalising a mutual reciprocity agreement and that it would go into effect shortly. In the event it was a few more years in the making, and I followed the progress closely as it rankled me no end that I couldn't call myself an architect when so many IT jobs were advertising themselves as 'solutions architects' or similar. 

Once the legislation was through Parliament and received royal assent as one of the last Acts her late Majesty signed, it was still a year before the announcement was made at a joint conference held at the splendid Art Deco ARB offices in February 2023.  All four professional organisations were present: AIA, NCARB, RIBA, and the ARB. I was in attendance and was probably in the minority in terms of interest of American architects seeking official recognition in Britain; most queries were about UK architects gaining US credentials. The big surprise was that not every state was participating, New York the notable exception to decline since practically every British architect was keen on opportunities there, so the discussion was centred on workarounds via the state reciprocity route. Interestingly, my home state of Maine was not on the list, but six out of the other seven I hold were, so it wasn't an issue.

The instant applications went live in April I submitted and jumped into the process. The materials provided on the ARB's website were useful, informative, and value for money. The most interesting aspect of the application to me was the Reflective Career Summary. I took quite a while sifting through my career path and composed a thoughtful document which was far more than a CV of quals and jobs. Quite apart from anything else regarding an educational or work experience standpoint, I think it was the summary of evidence which most clearly proved I am capable. Answering the scenario-based questions was also a good way of demonstrating my abilities because they required making assumptions about the information provided and the responses needed to remain consistent with those givens.

The last element in the process was the interview, held online, with three assessors who were articulate, impartial, and quite reasonable. It wasn't a formal grilling, more a conversation amongst professionals where they queried my experience within the framework of my scenario-based answers. The whole adaptation assessment process was really very smooth, and given I was the first candidate, glitch-free. My only gripe was the cost (just shy of £3,000), which seems a bit steep, although it is a one off and was never going to prevent me from pursuing. I joined the register and RIBA directly I passed the assessment, and I can now legally proclaim that I am indeed an architect - with no asterisk.

Written by Glenn Harmon, RIBA AIA-UK

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NCARB & ARB SIGN ARCHITECT MRA AGREEMENT

Fiona Mckay

Architect registration board executives from the UK (left) and US (right) gather following the official signing of the agreement. From left to right: Emma Matthews (ARB), Hugh Simpson (CEO ARB), Alan Kershaw (Chair ARB), Bayliss Ward (President NCARB), Michael J. Armstrong (CEO NCARB), Harry Falconer, Jr. (NCARB), and Patricia Ramallo (NCARB). Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

This article is part of an ongoing story; please refer to NCARB and ARB for the latest information.

On Thursday 16 February 2023, the landmark UK-US architect Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the UK Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the US National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) was officially signed in London at the Old Admiralty Building Churchill Room. This transformative agreement will enable UK and US architects to practice internationally and benefit from shared knowledge and expertise. 

AIA National President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA travelled from Washington, D.C. to attend the signing. From AIA UK, President Gregory Fonseca, AIA and Secretary Adelina Koleva, AIA were also present along with colleagues from the ARB, NCARB, RIBA, and government representatives from both the US and UK.

US architecture representatives pose with 2023 AIA UK President Gregory Fonseca. Pictured from left to right: Bayliss Ward (President NCARB), Michael J. Armstrong (CEO NCARB), Harry Falconer, Jr. (NCARB), Patricia Ramallo (NCARB), and Gregory Fonseca (AIA UK). Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

In a request for comment, AIA UK President Gregory Fonseca has made the following statement:

The basis for the agreement is an acknowledgement of equivalency between the standards and qualifications set forth by ARB and NCARB. Such acknowledgement has grown from a longstanding relationship and shared esteem between US and UK architects, who regard one other as global leaders in architecture and design. The new MRA will therefore enable eligible architects in one country to register in the other, while still upholding the expected standards of practice that protect the public in all participating territories.

The signing of the agreement triggers the 60-day window for implementation. Starting on 25 April 2023, eligible MRA candidates will be able to benefit from a streamlined registration process that aims to reduce previously required costs and examinations. To that effect, ARB is launching a new UK Adaptation Assessment for US applicants applying through MRA routes. The assessment will be available those holding an NCARB Certificate holders who went through the Standard Path to registration (a process which typically refers to graduating NAAB-accredited professional degree programme, passing all required ARE divisions, and completing the AXP experience hours).

In the accompanying ARB press release, NCARB CEO Michael J. Armstrong and ARB CEO Hugh Simpson have been quoted with the following statements:

Michael J. Armstrong (CEO NCARB, pictured far right) discusses material of importance as Emma Matthews (ARB, pictured far left) leans in to listen. Meanwhile, Bayliss Ward (President NCARB, centre right) and Hugh Simpson (CEO ARB, centre left) contribute their signatures to the two copies of the MRA document as Alan Kershaw (Chair ARB, centre) looks on.  Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA

The MRA agreement is the first of its kind since preceding legislation was dissolved in the 1990s and represents new approach to registering international architects in the UK.

The AIA UK Chapter would like to congratulate and thank all involved in this initiative!

Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA


MRA Signing: Official Attendees

US Embassy

  • Rosemary Gallant (Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs - US Embassy)

US NCARB

  • Michael J. Armstrong (CEO NCARB)

  • Bayliss Ward (President NCARB)

  • Patricia Ramallo (NCARB)

  • Harry Falconer, Jr. (NCARB)

US AIA

  • Emily Grandstaff-Rice (President AIA National)

  • Gregory Fonseca (AIA UK Chapter President)

  • Adelina Koleva (AIA UK Chapter Secretary) 

UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT)

  • Gareth Davies CB (Permanent Secretary - UK Department for Business & Trade)

UK ARB

  • Hugh Simpson (CEO ARB)

  • Alan Kershaw (Chair ARB)

  • Emma Matthews (ARB)

  • Rob Wilson (ARB)

  • Rebecca Roberts-Hughes (ARB)

UK RIBA

  • Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE (CEO RIBA)

  • Laura Webb (RIBA)


Harry Falconer, Jr. (NCARB) signs the MRA document. Seated next to him is Michael J. Armstrong (CEO NCARB). Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

Patricia Ramallo (NCARB) signs the MRA document. Seated next to her is Harry Falconer, Jr. (NCARB). Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

The final signed US copy of the MRA document rests on the table at the Churchill Room of the Old Admiralty Building in London. The agreement represents an international collaborative effort by ARB and NCARB to determine the rules and requirements necessary for architects to demonstrate professional competency. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

AIA UK President Gregory Fonseca (pictured, centre-left) was invited along with AIA National President Emily Grandstaff-Rice (pictured, left) by ARB CEO Hugh Simpson to represent the US architecture profession at the signing event. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

Attendees gather outside the Churchill Room in the Old Admiralty Building at the UK Department for Business & Trade. Standing in the centre of the photo wearing a pink jacket is Rosemary Gallant, the Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs at the US Embassy. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

2023 AIA UK President Gregory Fonseca in conversation with AIA National President Emily Grandstaff-Rice ahead of the signing. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

2023 AIA UK President Gregory Fonseca pauses for a celebratory photo at the MRA signing event in Whitehall. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

Following the signing, NCARB and AIA executives shared a celebratory dinner with the AIA UK board at Roast in Borough Market. Pictured from left to right: Genie Khmelnitski (AIA UK), Gregory Fonseca (AIA UK), private guest/spouse, Bayliss Ward (NCARB), Paolo Mendoza (AIA UK), Katharine Storr (AIA UK), Adelina Koleva (AIA UK), Patricia Ramallo (NCARB), Lester Korzilius (AIA UK), Emily Grandstaff-Rice (AIA National), Harry Falconer Jr. (NCARB), Etain Fitzpatrick (AIA UK), Michael J. Armstrong (NCARB), private guest/spouse, Christopher Musangi (AIA UK).

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