The NAAB Board of Directors established its first international assessment program in 2003, then known as Substantial Equivalency (SE). Between 2003 and 2019, 16 programs achieved the SE designation. In mid-2019, the NAAB conducted two surveys of its constituent programs to examine the SE program and, based on the results, decided to change the name from Substantial Equivalency to NAAB International Certification.
NAAB International Certification identifies a program as comparable in educational outcomes in all significant aspects to a U.S.-based program and indicates that it provides an educational experience meeting acceptable standards, even though such program may differ in format or method of delivery. It further indicates that a program has met the Conditions for NAAB International Certification, which are comparable to the NAAB Conditions for Accreditation in all significant aspects. Although NAAB International Certification is not accreditation, it represents that a program of architecture has achieved the highest standard of quality assurance in professional architecture education.
Graduates of architecture programs holding NAAB International Certification (at the point of graduation) must still determine if their education meets the NCARB Education Standard before seeking their architecture license in a U.S. jurisdiction. This is accomplished through the Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA) offered by the NAAB. Graduates of architecture programs holding NAAB International Certification are eligible for an expedited review at a discounted fee. Visit the EESA page for more information.
Programs interested in learning more about NAAB International Certification should contact Terron Scott, Director of Global Programs at international@naab.org.
NAAB International Certification Resources
NAAB International Certification Overview
Fees for NAAB International Certification, 2021-2023
2019 Conditions for NAAB International Certification
2019 Procedures for NAAB International Certification
VSV Supplement to 2019 Procedures for NAAB International Certification
NAAB International Certification Guide to Preparing PSER
NAAB International Certification Team Member Handbook
All programs with NAAB International Certification must display the following badge, provided by the NAAB with specific information, on the program website:
Institutions with NAAB International Certification
University of Bahrain (Manama, Bahrain)
B.Sc. in Architecture
Certified since 2015; next visit 2027
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago, Chile)
Licentiate in Architecture and Professional Title in Architecture
Certified since 2016; next visit 2023
University College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland)
Master of Architecture
Certified since 2017; next visit 2023
Jordan University of Science and Technology (Irbid, Jordan)
Bachelor of Science of Architecture
Certified since 2022; next visit 2028
The Hashemite University (Zarqa, Jordan)
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering
Certified since 2021; next visit 2027
Dar Al Uloom University (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2018; next visit 2024
Effat University (Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Certified since 2019; next visit 2025
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
(formerly University of Dammam)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2016; next visit 2022
King Saud University (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2013; next visit 2025
Kuwait University (Kuwait City, Kuwait)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2010; next visit 2022
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (Jounieh, Lebanon)
Master of Architecture
Certified since 2019; next visit 2025
Universidad Europea de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Master’s Degree in Architecture
Bachelor’s Degree in Fundamentals of Architecture
Certified since 2015; next visit 2027
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Degree in Architecture (Syllabus 1996)
Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture + Master’s Degree in Architecture (Syllabus 2010)
Certified since 2015; next visit 2027
Universidad San Pablo CEU (Madrid, Spain)
Degree in Architecture (Syllabus 2010)
Degree in Architecture (Syllabus 2001, through 2017)
Certified since 2015; next visit 2028
Eastern Mediterranean University (Famagusta, North Cyprus, Turkey)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2016; next visit 2022
Istanbul Technical University (Istanbul, Turkey)
Bachelor of Architecture (4 years) plus Master of Architecture (2 years)
Certified since 2008; next visit 2027
Yildiz Technical University (Istanbul, Turkey)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2019; next visit 2025
Qatar University (Doha, Qatar)
Bachelor of Architecture
Certified since 2018; next visit 2024
Notice of Actions
The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) reviews degree programs in architecture at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level for compliance with the current NAAB Conditions and Procedures for International Certification.
The following actions were taken at the 2022 October meeting.
| Degree(s) | Location | Next International Certification Review |
Continuation of Candidacy | |||
IE University | Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Architectural Studies + Master of Architecture | Madrid, Spain | International Certification, Between Spring 2023 and Spring 2025 |
Initial International Certification with a Three-Year Interim Progress Report | |||
Jordan University of Science and Technology | Bachelor of Science in Architecture | Irbid, Jordan | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2028 |
Continuing International Certification with a Three-Year Interim Progress Report | |||
Eastern Mediterranean University | Bachelor of Architecture | Famagusta, North Cyprus, Turkey | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2028 |
The following actions were taken at the 2022 April meeting.
| Degree(s) | Location | Next International Certification Review |
Initial International Certification with a Three-Year Interim Progress Report | |||
The Hashemite University | Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering | Zarqa, Jordan | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2027 |
Continuing International Certification with a Three-Year Interim Progress Report | |||
University of Bahrain | B.Sc. in Architecture | Manama, Bahrain | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2027 |
Universidad Europea de Madrid | Bachelor in Fundamentals of Architecture Master’s in Architecture | Madrid, Spain | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2027 |
Universidad San Pablo CEU | Degree in Architecture + Final Degree Project | Madrid, Spain | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2027 |
The following actions were taken at the 2023 April meeting.
| Degree(s) | Location | Next International Certification Review |
Continuing International Certification with a Three-Year Interim Progress Report | |||
Kuwait University | Bachelor of Architecture | Kuwait, Kuwait City | Continuing International Certification, Spring or Fall 2028 |