NCARB

Architectural Licensure & NCARB Pass Rates at Howard University

At Howard University’s Department of Architecture, we are deeply committed to preparing the next generation of diverse, visionary architects for successful professional practice. Navigating the path to becoming a licensed architect requires a strategic partnership between our academic curriculum, individual dedication, and national regulatory standards.

Below is an overview of how we support our students through the licensure process and provide public accountability regarding our national examination performance.

The Path to Licensure

Achieving architectural licensure in the United States typically relies on the "Three Es": Education, Experience, and Examination. At Howard, we explicitly embed these pillars into our student culture to streamline your journey:

  • Education: Our National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited professional degree programs provide the foundational tectonic language, critical design thinking, and technical skills necessary to meet national educational standards.
  • Experience (AXP): We encourage students to begin documenting their professional experience early through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®). This program tracks internship hours across critical practice areas like design, project management, and construction documentation.
  • Examination (ARE): To become fully licensed, graduates must pass the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). Our curriculum is mapped to align with the core competencies tested in these exams.

Dedicated Licensure Support & Resources

To ensure our students are never navigating this complex process alone, the Department of Architecture provides consistent, hands-on administrative and peer mentorship:

  • On-Campus NCARB Licensing Advisor: We maintain active institutional engagement with NCARB to provide accurate, up-to-date guidance on licensure pathways, regional registration rules, and portfolio documentation. The current advisor is Professor Nea Maloo, FAIA.
  • Student Advisory Leadership: We actively empower student leadership within the licensing space. By facilitating student participation in national events—such as sponsoring our Student Advisor to attend the national NCARB Licensing Advisor Summit—we bridge the gap between national policy and student peer support.
  • Licensure Office Hours: We host regular, dedicated licensing office hours right here on campus in the Mackey Building. These sessions give students a direct opportunity to review their AXP hours, ask questions about the process, and plan their professional trajectories.
  • Direct Industry Engagement: We routinely bring top-tier national architectural leadership into the classroom. For example, our Professional Practice courses frequently feature guest lectures from NCARB Presidents and seasoned practitioners, offering students direct insights into the evolving landscape of firm culture, legal ethics, and professional liability.

NCARB ARE Pass Rates

Public accountability and data-driven instruction are core components of our academic mission. NCARB tracks and publishes annual ARE pass rates for all NAAB-accredited programs across the country. These metrics offer valuable insight into how well graduates perform on each division of the licensing exam.

Accessing the Data: Prospective students, current students, and alumni can view Howard University's historical and current exam performance metrics directly through the official portals:

We continuously use this data during faculty retreats and curriculum mapping sessions to enhance our coursework—specifically in our Professional Practice sequence—ensuring our graduates remain highly competitive, technically rigorous, and fully equipped to lead the built environment.