New Opportunities for US Architects to Work in the UK

In February 2023, a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) was signed between the UK’s Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and US National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). This was brought into effect after years of collaboration between the two organizations and informed from the British architect’s perspective by Catherine Clark, President of Royal Institute of British Architects, USA (RIBA-USA). The existence of the MRA means that an architect who meets the eligibility requirements and is licensed/registered, in good standing in either the UK or the 44 U.S. jurisdictions that accept the MRA agreement may be eligible for reciprocal licensure. The MRA will enable the flow of architects and their ideas between these two countries which have such parallel but diverse modes of practice. This is increasingly important as we shift our profession to take the lead in response to a changing professional climate. 

New York State is not a signatory to the MRA. However, architects who are registered in additional states or territories may be eligible for reciprocal licensure. This event will bring together speakers representing RIBA-USA, NCARB, and ARB to cover the extent to which the MRA will apply to US-based architects.

Speakers:
Catherine Clark, Int’l Assoc. AIA, RIBA ARB Dip Arch BSc, NCARB, Director for Strategic Development, North America, RIBA-USA
Harry M. Falconer Jr., FAIA, NCARB, HonD, Hon. FCARM, Vice President, Policy + International Relations, NCARB
Emma Matthews, Director of Governance and International, ARB
Rob Wilson, International Manager, ARB

About the Speakers:
Catherine Clark is a British trained and licensed architect who has lived and worked in both London and NYC. She is the former President of the Royal Institute of British Architects USA having previously run their New York Chapter. Catherine saw an opportunity to reinstate a reciprocal agreement between the UK and US for architect’s licenses in 2016. As part of their ‘Barriers to Trade’ initiative, she worked closely with the British Government and with both the architectural professions regulatory bodies in the UK and US, to speak to the value of this policy change on a personal level, and on behalf of the RIBA’s US members, and future generations of architects on both sides of the Atlantic. Her architectural experience ranges from master-planning social housing for a 10 hectare site in Hampshire, UK, a RIBA Award-winning nursery school in Brixton, London to working on New York City’s first "Green School." In her personal practice in New York, she has undertaken both commercial and high-end residential designs which have been featured in various books. Her studio’s design for a Brooklyn restaurant was distilled into an icon for the critic’s review in the New Yorker. Catherine studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL an is an examiner for British architectural licensing exams with a specialty in international candidates. In her current role, Catherine is overseeing operations for the Royal Institute of British Architects across North America, supporting and growing membership and promoting their products and services with the intention of complimenting existing local entities with the ultimate aim of furthering excellence in the built environment.

Harry Falconer leads the department to provide professional support for the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP™) as well as NCARB’s education-related programs including the NCARB Education Standard, Scholars in Professional Practice, Education Alternative for Certification, Foreign Architect Certification programs, and continuing education initiatives. He is responsible for administration of the Council’s outreach initiative to schools, professional conferences, and firms; and management of the Architect Licensing Advisors Community program. Falconer also leads the development and management of the Council’s international mutual recognition arrangements and relations. Falconer’s career in architecture includes over 22 years in practice prior to joining NCARB’s team. He is licensed to practice architecture in Virginia. He is a member of the AIA College of Fellows and is NCARB certified, Falconer was awarded NCARB’s President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, for his leadership in the Intern Development Program (IDP). In 2019, The Boston Architectural College conferred the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Falconer, recognizing his transformative vision and work within architectural education and the profession.

Emma Matthews started working at ARB as part of the Qualifications team in 1998. In her current role as ARB’s Director of Governance and International, she leads on Board and Committee governance as well as on the development of ARB’s new international routes to registration and the associated mutual recognition agreements with partner organizations. Prior to this, Matthews was ARB’s Director of Professional Qualifications which involved leading the team responsible for accrediting qualifications in architecture at ARB.

Rob Wilson started working at ARB as part of the Registration team in 1998. In his current role as ARB’s International Manager, he works on the development and maintenance of ARB’s international routes to registration, and the development of policies in relation to the international registration process.