US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement
How to Pursue Licensure in the UK
Following the signing of the US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement, the mechanism to allow US architects to pursue official British recognition was launched in April 2023. Since the scheme went live to Summer 2025, a total of 68 US-qualified architects applied, with 37 completing the Adaptation Assessment, and 29 joining the register. Note the figures are balanced as 67 certificates were issued by the ARB in the other direction to UK-licenced architects seeking US recognition in the same time period.
The process for US-licenced architects seeking British recognition is as follows:
Determine eligibility.
Check to ensure your state participates.
Obtain an NCARB certificate if you do not already hold one.
Instruct NCARB to transmit your record to the ARB. Essentially the same process as seeking reciprocity with another US state.
Complete the Adaptation Assessment with the ARB.
Join the Register.
Determine eligibility and check your state’s participation - To confirm you meet the eligibility requirements for pursuing the MRA route to qualification, candidates must be licenced architects from a participating state and hold an NCARB certificate. Not all jurisdictions have signed on to the MRA. The current list is here:
Obtain an NCARB certificate - For this, you must demonstrate compliance with the requisite educational requirements, have completed the appropriate experience pathway, passed the ARE, and obtained licensure in a participating jurisdiction.
https://www.ncarb.org/ncarb-certificate/benefits/get-certified
Instruct NCARB to transmit your record to the ARB - Once you have established your Record and obtained your Certificate, you should contact NCARB, either online at https://www.ncarb.org/contact-us or by telephone on +1-202-879-0520.
Complete the Adaptation Assessment with the ARB - After the ARB receives your Certificate, you may then apply to take the Adaptation Assessment, which consists of a Reflective Career Summary, responses to Scenario Based questions which the ARB issues following application, and sitting a Professional Interview with three Assessors (online via video link). The ARB then evaluates the information given to determine if you may practice in the UK. Suggested materials for revising in advance of the scenario-based questions are provided by the ARB:
https://arb.org.uk/international-routes/uk-adaptation-assessment/
Join the Register - Once you have passed the assessment, the last step is to join the Register so that you can legally proclaim yourself an Architect in the UK.
https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/applying-for-registration-for-the-first-time/
Note that the ARB has recently completed a consultation on revamping the whole qualification process including the educational requirements for British university students. It does not appear to affect the MRA route for US architects at present but is worth following.
https://arb.org.uk/consultations/uk-registration-for-internationally-qualified-architects/
UK Adaptation Assessment Advice
Glenn Harmon AIA, RIBA, the first candidate to go through the UK Adaptation Assessment, shares the following top tips in relation to those individuals who are qualified American architects now seeking British registration:
Gain work experience prior to applying if possible. Although the principles of good design are timeless and universal, context is critical and having even a small amount of time in a British practice is invaluable.
Make a real effort with your Reflective Career Summary. It’s far more than a CV, and is the best opportunity you have for proving you can be entrusted with the responsibilities of a licenced architect.
Take the time to download and digest all the materials suggested for tackling the Scenario Based questions. They were informative and up to date.
Don’t sweat the Interview - it is more of a discussion amongst like-minded colleagues trading shared experiences of the profession than a formal Q&A.
Join the Register directly. If you aren’t on it, you’re not an architect.
Join RIBA, since just as in the US where AIA after your name means Architect though being a member is not a requirement, the average man in the street thinks RIBA is synonymous with Architect as well.
MRA Events
AIA UK hosted a session in April 2025 led by Bryan Oknyansky, AIA and Alex Miller, AIA RIBA on Preparing to Take the Mutual Recognition Exam.
The recording of that event is available here.
We have amended the slides from that presentation into a guide for those looking to undertake the process and begin preparation for the UK Adaptation Assessment Exam. The guide is available here.
MRA Articles
Find our articles on MRA news and AIA members’ experiences of applying for UK licensure below.
Looking Ahead
The ARB has consulted on proposals to change the process further in 2027 with the introduction of competence-based assessments in a modernised format, simplified eligibility criteria, and a single point of entry to the Register. The ARB says, “the changes aim to align international registration routes with ARB’s new UK education and training framework, while simplifying the process and removing unnecessary barriers for those seeking to join the UK Register from abroad.”
For more information and personalised advice on the MRA, your best sources are NCARB and the ARB. Please contact them here:
NCARB - https://www.ncarb.org/contact-us