Trilateral agreement signed between NCARB, AACA and NZRAB26 August 2024
New agreement opens doors to international practice for New Zealand architects
Registered architects from Australia, the USA and New Zealand will be able to work internationally more easily following the signing of a significant trilateral agreement.
Leaders of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), USA National Council of Architect Registration Boards (NCARB) and New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) on Wednesday 21 August 2024 signed a new Mutual Recognition Agreement at an event in the Beehive, Wellington, hosted by the Hon Chris Penk, Minister of Building and Construction.
NZRAB Board Chair Gina Jones said the New Zealand Registered Architects Board is very supportive of establishing mutual recognition agreements, for the opportunity they give New Zealand architects to work internationally, and for those international architects wishing to live and practice in New Zealand.
“As a small nation, New Zealand is enriched by the flow of people and experience. It benefits New Zealanders to travel and work internationally, and New Zealand benefits by people from other countries bringing their knowledge, insights and learnings to our country” she said.
The new Mutual Recognition Agreement builds on an existing mutual recognition arrangement with the United States.
The current requirement to work 6,000-hours following initial registration as an architect will be removed, allowing a newly registered architect in either country to apply. Changes such as the removal of a requirement to hold one of the three national passports, expanded eligibility qualifications, and streamlined data laws are expected to boost the number of U.S. states that participate in this agreement compared to the previous one.
In Australia, New Zealand and most U.S. states there are no additional tests or examinations following successfully completing the MRA, however some U.S. states may have additional requirements.
Registered architects from the three countries can apply for fast-tracked cross-border recognition of their qualifications from 6 November 2024.
NCARB President Ken Van Tine said the new agreement would provide more opportunities, more efficiently, between the three nations.
“The new agreement marks a significant step forward in international practice. By streamlining the reciprocity process, we're empowering architects from different backgrounds to bring their expertise to a global market, while maintaining the high standards required for competent practice in order to protect the public.”
AACA Chief Executive Officer Kathlyn Loseby said the removal of the 6,000-hour work rule (approximately 3 years) reflected a commitment to supporting international mobility.
“Our mutual recognition programmes are helping local architects to go global,” she said. “We’ve already seen the success of our United Kingdom agreement, with more architects moving both ways across borders.”
“This new agreement will make sure our high standards are maintained but also reduce the paperwork burden for individuals.”
There are mutual recognition agreements in place between New Zealand and Australia, the United Kingdom, USA, Singapore, Japan, and Canada.
For all enquiries about the MRA, please contact NZRAB at info@nzrab.org.nz.
For more information about the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Australia, the United States of America and New Zealand please visit the AACA website at www.aaca.org.au or the NCARB at www.ncarb.org.