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United States And South Africa Implement New Reciprocity Agreement

South African Council for the Architectural ProfessionRef: https://www.sacapsa.com/news/article/united-states-and-south-africa-implement-new-reciprocity-agreement

Official source

Source domain: sacapsa.com

Collected on 9 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 21 July 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a SACAP news item reproducing a joint media statement dated 6 July 2026 about a new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). It states that the MRA took effect on 6 July 2026 and creates a reciprocal licensing pathway for qualified architects to practise in each other’s countries, based on shared competencies at licensure. It also lists eligibility requirements for U.S. and South African architects and notes that each U.S. jurisdiction must decide whether to accept the MRA.

Facts

Reference

https://www.sacapsa.com/news/article/united-states-and-south-africa-implement-new-reciprocity-agreement

Key Takeaways

  • Joint Media Statement
  • Date: 06 July 2026
  • Effective date: 6 July 2026
  • Parties: NCARB and SACAP
  • Subject: new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for architectural practice
  • Eligibility: U.S. architects must hold an active NCARB Certificate and be licensed/in good standing in a participating home jurisdiction
  • Eligibility: South African architects must be licensed at the level of 'professional architect'
  • Exclusion: architects initially licensed in their home country via a separate MRA with another country are not eligible
  • Approval: NCARB member licensing boards approved during 2025 Annual Business Meeting
  • Signature: signed by both parties in April 2026
  • U.S. jurisdictions: each must individually determine whether to accept the MRA
  • Participating jurisdictions list available on ncarb.org
  • South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP)
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
  • Edward T. Marley
  • Charles Nduku
  • Mpho Parks Tau

Dates

Closing Date

6 July 2026