Virginia

Law Passed: 1920 • Joined NCARB: 1928 • Region 2—Middle-Atlantic (1965)

The Components of Licensure

Education

1998: A degree from a NAAB-accredited program is required for initial licensure.

2009: Continuing education is required for licensure renewal.

Experience

Late-1960s: Three years of experience are required.

Late-1980s: The IDP is accepted as an equivalent to the board’s experience requirement.

Examination

Late-1960s: The board accepts NCARB’s national examination.

2007: Applicants must also complete an open book exam on Virginia’s regulations and statutes.

Noteworthy

  • John A. Lankford, the first African American to earn a license in Virginia in 1922, was also the first registered African-American architect in the District of Columbia in 1924.
  • In 1980, the Virginia Board began regulating landscape architects.

Notable People

NCARB Presidents

1950: Clinton H. Cowgill, FAIA (Blacksburg)
2004: Robert A. Boynton, FAIA (Richmond)

Additional Members of the NCARB Board of Directors

1973-76: John D. Owen, Jr. (Lynchburg)
2008-11: Everette “Ebo” Fauber (Lynchburg)
2008-11: Ava Abramowitz (Leesburg)
2013-14: Kate Nosbisch (Chester)

First Board Members

P. B. Winfree
James F. MacTier
John Kevan Peebles
William Churchill Noland
Thomas N. Fendall
L. B. Dutrow
W. D. Tyler
C. G. Massie

First License Issued

1920: William Churchill Noland, FAIA

First African American Licensed

October 2, 1922: John A. Lankford

 First Woman Licensed

1935: Mary Brown Channel

NCARB Executive

1979-97: Samuel T. Balen, FAIA

NCARB President Medalists

1997: Samuel T. and Ruth Balen
2000: Kathryn T. Prigmore

Virginia History

Virginia Members (l to r) Robert A. Boynton, Christine Snetter, and Executive Kate Nosbisch attend the 2017 Annual Meeting in Boston.
Kathryn T. Prigmore (left) receives the President's Medal from Joseph Giattina (right) at the 2000 Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia representatives vote at the 2003 NCARB Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia Board Member Clinton K. Good votes at the 2013 NCARB Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia Board members at NCARB's 2010 Annual Business Meeting.
❮ Virginia members at NCARB meeting ❯
❮ Kathryn Prigmore receives President's Medal ❯
❮ Virginia architects at 2003 NCARB meeting ❯
❮ Clinton Good at NCARB meeting 2013 ❯
❮ 2010 NCARB meeting ❯
Virginia Members (l to r) Robert A. Boynton, Christine Snetter, and Executive Kate Nosbisch attend the 2017 Annual Meeting in Boston.
Kathryn T. Prigmore (left) receives the President's Medal from Joseph Giattina (right) at the 2000 Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia representatives vote at the 2003 NCARB Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia Board Member Clinton K. Good votes at the 2013 NCARB Annual Business Meeting.
Virginia Board members at NCARB's 2010 Annual Business Meeting.