USGBC and NOMA Formed Architectural Partnership

The organizations launched a year-long initiative to connect minority architects with professional credentials and education.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern architectural building model composed of stacked wooden and steel blocks. — The U.S. Green Building Council and the National Organization of Minority Architects have launched a partnership to improve access to industry certifications. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Green Building Council and the National Organization of Minority Architects have entered a new partnership to increase access to industry certifications. This collaboration serves as a one-year test program aimed at supporting students and members with professional networks and education.

Why it matters

The partnership addresses a notable disparity between the diverse pool of architectural licensure candidates and the significantly lower representation of those groups in the professional workforce. By providing resources like LEED credentialing, the groups seek to bridge this career gap.

The LEED Green Associate exam costs $250 for non-members, $200 for USGBC members, and $100 for students. In 2025, 49% of licensure candidates were people of color, though only 21% of working architects held that same identification.

The players

U.S. Green Building Council

This non-profit organization promotes sustainability in building design, construction, and operation through the LEED certification system.

National Organization of Minority Architects

This professional association works to champion diversity in the architectural profession through education, advocacy, and professional development.

The details

The initiative builds on the Shades program introduced at the 2025 Greenbuild conference and integrates with the NOMA Project Pipeline, which has operated in more than 40 cities for two decades. The effort aims to provide NOMA chapters and students with access to USGBC resources throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.

A 2022 study indicated that two in five architectural licensure candidates ultimately stop the process.
The USGBC launched the Shades initiative at the 2025 Greenbuild conference.
Demographic data for licensure candidates and the architectural profession was recorded in 2025.
The NOMA Project Pipeline program reached more than 1,000 students in 2026.
The initial one-year pilot of the new collaboration concludes in 2027.

Market Landscape

The partnership follows the pattern of intervention suggested by the 2022 NCARB study on architectural licensure attrition, which found that two in five candidates stop the process. This initiative aims to consolidate educational resources to reduce the drop-off rates currently observed across the broader industry.

Students and professionals affiliated with NOMA may gain access to lower-cost LEED credentialing exams and expanded networking opportunities. These resources are designed to help licensure candidates complete the certification process more efficiently.

The takeaway

The project serves as a crucial pilot for creating more accessible pathways into the architectural profession. Candidates should watch for upcoming joint programming and professional network opportunities to leverage these new resources for their career advancement.