Kansas

Law Passed: 1949 • Joined NCARB: 1954 • Region 5—Central States (1965)

The Components of Licensure

Education

1949: A degree in architecture from a program accredited by the NAAB is required.

1978: The education requirement is revised to graduation in an architectural curriculum accredited by NAAB.

Experience

1950: Seven years of experience acceptable to the board is required. Guidelines for acceptable experience include:

  • Experience equivalent: Each completed year of study at an approved curriculum in an accredited architecture program, without graduation, is considered equivalent to one year of practical experience; credit for college work in courses other than architecture is accepted at the rate of one year’s experience for each two years of study.
  • Professional work must be completed after the applicant is 21 years of age.
  • Teaching experience is accepted as professional experience where the applicant has taught in an architectural school of recognized standing and is at least an assistant professor or the equivalent.

1978: A degree from a NAAB-accredited program and three years of experience gained under the supervision of a practicing licensed architect or a specific record of at least eight years of experience in a practicing architect’s office is required.

1992: Graduate of an accredited architectural curriculum are required to complete the IDP as defined in the IDP Guidelines, 1991-1992. Beginning January 1, 1994, each applicant must provide a complete and bound record of architectural experience transmitted by NCARB.

1993: Prior to January 1, 1994, graduates of an accredited architectural curriculum are required to provide an NCARB verified record of architectural experience of three years. Beginning January 1, 1994, graduates of an accredited architectural curriculum are required to complete the IDP Guidelines, 1991-1992.

Examination

1953-1954: The board begins offering a state exam to applicants whose qualifications of experience were found to be questionable. The exam was prepared by the heads of the departments of architecture at the two Kansas schools of architecture.

1974: Regulations are revised to specify that the exam be the NCARB examination.

1978: Satisfactory passage of an examination given by the board (the NCARB Qualifying Examination and the Professional Examination) is required by all applicants.

 

Noteworthy

While Kansas didn’t officially join NCARB until 1954, representatives from the state were present at the first meeting in 1919, and the Kansas Society of Architects was a sustaining member of NCARB in the early 40s. A first attempt at regulation was made in 1941, but vetoed by the governor.

The first meeting of the Kansas State Registration and Examining Board of Architects was held on June 1, 1949. After a short discussion in regard to the wording of the law, a temporary chairman was appointed. Nominations were opened for chairman of the board; following a tie, Charles Shaver was elected by coin toss.

In 1976, the board was merged with several other professional boards to form the Kansas Board of Technical Professions, which included the Engineering Examiners Registration Board, the Architects Registration Board, and the Landscape Architects Registration Board. Geologists were added in 2000. The impetus to combine the boards was primarily driven by state government consolidating administrative activities. 

 

Notable People

NCARB Presidents

1969: Howard T. Blanchard, FAIA (Garden City)
1981: Dwight M. Bonham, FAIA (Wichita)
2019: David L. Hoffman, FAIA (Wichita)

Additional Members of the NCARB Board of Directors

1968-71: Ken G. Miller (Hutchinson)
1983-85: C. James Balderson (Overland Park and Shawnee Mission)
2002-05: C. Stan Peterson, FAIA (Topeka)

First Chairman/President

1949: Charles Shaver

First Board Members

Charles Shaver
Ted Griest
Tom Williamson
Floyd Wolfenbarger
Cy Boucher

First Female Board Member

1976: Mary Kopp (Public Member)
2012-16: Wendy Ornelas, FAIA (Architect Member)

First License Issued

July 9, 1949: Charles Shaver

First Woman Licensed

September 24, 1949: Arlene Tad Tinkler

NCARB President Medalist

2006: C. Stan Peterson, FAIA (Topeka)

Kansas History

1968-69 NCARB President Howard T. Blanchard, from Garden City, KS, speaks at the 1969 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
Kansas delegates at NCARB's 2002 Annual Business Meeting.
Kansas delegates at NCARB's 2011 Annual Business Meeting.
1968-69 NCARB President Howard T. Blanchard, from Garden City, KS, speaks at the 1969 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
Kansas delegates at NCARB's 2002 Annual Business Meeting.
Kansas delegates at NCARB's 2011 Annual Business Meeting.