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New scholarship launches in partnership with AIA Large Firm Roundtable to meet goal of doubling the number of licensed Black architects by 2030.

The Architects Foundation is launching its inaugural LFRT Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) scholarship this month.

The scholarship will cover the cost of the ARE, provide $500 in study materials, a one-year subscription to AIA’s exam prep resource, ArchiPrep, one year of dues to AIA or the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and one year of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) record fees. In order to be eligibile, applicants must be Associate AIA or a member of NOMA, hold an NCARB Record, and must be eligibile for the ARE. A brief essay is required to apply and letters of recommendation are optional. More than 30 awards are available.

“We wanted to remove as many barriers as possible for young people seeking this award,” said Jonathan Moody, AIA, NOMA, co-chair of the LFRT Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. “And being the first year of granting these scholarships, we’re not sure how many applications to expect, but if you run the numbers, the need exceeds current resources. That being said, I believe the LFRT is committed to providing continued financial support and work with the Architects Foundation and others to support aspiring Black architects.”

According to a joint survey, Baseline on Belonging, by NCARB and NOMA, minority professionals experience more barriers as they pursue licensure. Results indicate that affordability of the ARE exam is disproportionately reported by Black and Latino candidates, and most applicants spend more than $500 on study materials.

“Improving access to the exam is one step the profession can take to help open doors to a more diverse pool of aspiring architects. NCARB is excited to partner with the LFRT on this new scholarship,” said NCARB President Alfred Vidaurri, NCARB, NOMA, FAIA.

Interested candidates for the LFRT ARE scholarship can learn more online. The deadline to apply is Jan. 14, 2022.

About NCARB

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate. Connect with NCARB on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.