Massachusetts
Law Passed: 1941 • Joined NCARB: 1942 • Region 1—New England (1965)
The Components of Licensure
Education
Early-1980s: A degree from a NAAB-accredited program is required for initial licensure.
2004: Continuing education is required for license renewal.
Experience
Late-1960s: Massachusetts requires three years of professional experience.
1989: The IDP is required.
Examination
Early 1940s: The first standardized examination, called the Senior Examination, is administered.
1968: The NCARB examination is required.
Noteworthy
Past President Robert L. Tessier began serving on the Massachusetts Board in the late 1970s— following in the footsteps of his father Henry J. Tessier, who helped establish the board in 1941.
Between 1941-1942, Member Board Members met 41 times and received roughly 200 applications for registration.
Two Boston-based attorneys served as NCARB’s legal counsel: Carl Sapers from 1968 to the early 2000s and Daniel A. Taylor from 2002-2014.
Notable People
NCARB Presidents
1971: William J. Geddis, FAIA (Cambridge)
1987: Robert L. Tessier, FAIA (Agawam)
2001: Peter Steffian, FAIA (Boston)
2008: Douglas K. Engebretson, FAIA (Springfield)
Additional Members of the NCARB Board of Directors
1972-75: John R. Hellman (Falmouth)
2003-06: John F. Miller, FAIA (Cambridge)
2009-15: Margo P. Jones, FAIA (Greenfield)
2017-Present: Stephen Schreiber (Amherst)
First Chairman/President
John Whitmore
First Board Members
Henry Tessier
John Whitmore
Robert Gaston
Israel Almy
Cyrus Springall
First License Issued
1942: John Whitmore
NCARB President Medalists
1998: Carl M. Sapers (Boston)
2005: Peter Steffian, FAIA (Boston)
2007: Daniel A. Taylor (Boston)
