The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) Between Canada, Mexico, and the United States was jointly developed by the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), the Comité Mexicano Para la Práctica Internacional de la Arquitectura (COMPIAR), and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). It provides a pathway for qualified architects to obtain reciprocal licensure in the participating jurisdictions of these three countries to broaden their career while maintaining the high standards of competency, ethics, and protection of public health, safety, and welfare that guide the architecture profession. (You can learn more on the NCARB website.)
ROAC, COMPIAR, and NCARB have worked in collaboration to develop the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement Manual. This resource includes a step-by-step guide to help navigate the licensure application process in these three countries.
The terms of the MRA outline specific requirements architects must satisfy when pursuing mutual recognition. Qualified architects will be granted a certification that will lead to a licence to practise architecture in the host country. These requirements include language proficiency, educational and experience qualifications, as well as submitting documentation to confirm the individual’s credentials.
To be eligible for reciprocal licensure through this agreement, an individual must meet the following requirements:
- have an active licence in good standing in the home country (U.S. architects must also hold an NCARB certificate and Mexican architects a CONARC certificate);
- hold a degree in architecture from a program accredited by ANPADEH, NAAB, or CACB, or a recognized equivalent accepted as satisfying the education component in the home country; and
- have a minimum of five years of post-licensure experience—at least two of which must be in responsible control—in the country where the applicant was initially licensed.
Architects who have become licensed in their home country through another mutual recognition agreement are not eligible under this agreement.
Process Overview
Here is a broad overview of the steps to complete the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA. Each of these steps is described in more detail in the Tri-National MRA Manual. Within the steps below, links are provided to the necessary forms. Currently, these are in English; the Spanish and French translations are forthcoming.
You are required to have an active certificate/licence with your home country before applying for the Tri-National MRA. All documents must be submitted in the official language of the host jurisdiction.
You must complete the Tri-National Application Form and submit it to the organization in your home country (i.e. via ROAC, CONARC, or NCARB). You may pursue licensure in two countries simultaneously. An Attestation of Good Standing must accompany your application. Your home country will review your application to determine you meet the eligibility requirements, prior to transmitting your documents to the host jurisdiction.
You are required to prepare and submit your dossier for preliminary review by the host organization; the Dossier Applicant Guide has more information. Dossiers must include a resume and a competency form. Those that meet the initial format and submission requirements will be reviewed by a panel of architects. You will be notified of the outcome via email as soon as the panel completes its review.
Once the dossier is approved, you will be invited to an interview with the review panel. The interview will take place through a video conference platform and will be conducted in the official language of the host jurisdiction, without the assistance of a translator. You will be notified of the outcome of the interview via email.
After successfully completing the steps above and submitting a final Attestation of Good Standing, you can apply for licensure in the country where you plan to become an architect. The host organization will provide information on obtaining reciprocal licensure.
Tri-National Competencies
An applicant seeking reciprocity through the Tri-National MRA is required to submit a dossier of work demonstrating the required professional competencies. To learn more, read the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement Manual.
Language Requirements
Competence in the language of the host country is an underlying requirement of the agreement. Application forms should be completed in the language of the host country. During the interview process, the architect will be expected to communicate their competence and respond to questions in the language of the host country without the assistance of translators.
Fees
Fees for completing the Canada/Mexico/U.S. Tri-National MRA program are payable to the host organization.
The fee is divided into three payments, each due at specific stages throughout the process:
- Application fee: US$500*
- Dossier review: US$2,000
- Interview: US$1,000
The host jurisdiction will contact you when each payment is due to share information about payment methods.
*You must submit your dossier within 18 months of receiving the application confirmation email from the host organization. If this period expires without submission, the initial application will be deemed void, requiring submission of a new payment of the associated fee to continue the process.
All fees are subject to change. There may be additional fees for initial licensure, licence renewal, and transmittals in each state, province, or territory where you become licensed.