Foreign Degree - Architecture

To be registered in Texas, a foreign applicant must meet the same requirements as Texas residents which includes passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) as well as the following:

• Education and experience as described above. Individuals who do not have a National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) accredited degree, including all foreign-educated applicants, may have their educational credentials evaluated through Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA). EESA is administered by NAAB.
• An EESA comprehensive evaluation report compares the subjects completed by the applicant with the NCARB education requirements and states which parts of the NCARB education requirements have been met and which parts are deficient. The Texas Board requires the comprehensive evaluation report for foreign degrees and foreign education.

EESA application forms can be obtained by calling NAAB at (202) 783-2007 or writing:

EESA - NAAB
1735 New York Avenue NW
Third Floor
Washington DC 20006

When requesting an application form, applicants should specify that they need a comprehensive evaluation report. The credentials and other documents required for an EESA evaluation report are explained on the EESA application forms. Questions about the application process and fees should be directed to NAAB at the address noted above.

• Show evidence of having satisfactorily completed the requirements of the IDP, except applicants who have acquired eight years of credible education and/or experience prior to January 1, 1984.

Effective February 2, 1994, Texas applicants and foreign registrants shall process their records through NCARB. The telephone number for NCARB is (202) 783-6500. When a foreign registrant has met the qualifications to take the ARE in Texas, he or she should request that his or her NCARB file be transferred to the Texas Board.

TBAE will notify the candidate that his or her file has been received and, upon receipt of the application fee, will evaluate the file to confirm that all requirements have been met.

The candidate will then be notified as to whether or not he or she is qualified to sit for the ARE. If so, further instructions will be provided. If not, the candidate will receive an explanation of what requirement(s) have not yet been met.