Pennsylvania

Law Passed: 1919 • Joined NCARB: 1921 • Region 2—Middle-Atlantic (1965)

The Components of Licensure

Education

1921: Only a high school education is required; however, applicants with an approved college degree are exempt from the written exam.

1970: Applicants without a degree from a NAAB-accredited program can document 13 years of experience as an alternative.

1990: Pennsylvania requires a degree from a NAAB-accredited program or its equivalent as determined by the board.

Experience

1921: Three years of experience are required.

1970: Three years of experience are required for applicants with a degree from a NAAB-accredited program.

1992: The IDP is required, along with a duration requirement of three years.

Examination

1921: Applicants without an approved degree must pass a four-day written exam. Applicants with a degree must pass an oral exam.

1970: Pennsylvania begins administering NCARB’s national exam.

Noteworthy

Pennsylvania adopted NCARB’s five-year rolling clock standard in 2008.

Pennsylvania is home to seven NAAB-accredited programs, including Drexel University, which was accepted into the IPAL initiative in 2015.

Notable People

NCARB Presidents

1925-26: Miller I. Kast, FAIA (Harrisburg)
1930-31: Clarence W. Brazer (Chester)

Additional Members of the NCARB Board of Directors

2001-03: Dennis L. Astorino (Pittsburgh)
2004-05: Frank M. Adams (Bethlehem)
2012-14: Lynn Axelroth (Philadelphia)
2017-Present: Darryl R. Hamm (Harrisburg)

First Chairman/President

1919: John Hall Rankin, FAIA (Philadelphia)

First Board Members

Miller I. Kast, FAIA (Harrisburg)
Clarence W. Brazer (Chester)
Edward H. Davis (Scranton)
Edward Stotz, FAIA (Pittsburgh)

First Female Architects

1920: Anna Wagner Keichline
1934: Elizabeth Fleisher (First to become licensed by examination)

Pennsylvania History

Pennsylvania Vice President Arthur B. White (right) at the 1970 Annual Meeting in Boston.
Pennsylvania Board Member Harry R. Rutledge addresses delegates at the 2011 Annual Business Meeting.
Member Board Members at the 2002 Annual Business Meeting.
Pennsylvania Board Member Philip M. Leinbach addresses delegates at the 2013 Annual Business Meeting.
Pennsylvania Vice President Arthur B. White (right) at the 1970 Annual Meeting in Boston.
Pennsylvania Board Member Harry R. Rutledge addresses delegates at the 2011 Annual Business Meeting.
Member Board Members at the 2002 Annual Business Meeting.
Pennsylvania Board Member Philip M. Leinbach addresses delegates at the 2013 Annual Business Meeting.