Archinect - News

NCARB updates ARE 5.0 Guidelines

2024-03-01T08:00:00-05:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has shared an update to its official ARE guidelines effective this week (February 27).

The updated ARE 5.0 Guidelines include changes to exam security policies and the ARE 5.0 Reference Guide. The revision also covers new building code references and the retirement of quantitative-fill-in-the-blank (QFIB) items that were announced previously in December.

A new set of exam data forensics protocols has been introduced to enhance existing data analysis. NCARB notes this will impact the timing of test scores results being released. Official score reports will now take between seven and ten days to process. Exam security and candidate misconduct policies have been updated as well.

Importantly, all code-related items on the ARE 5.0 will now reference the 2021 International Code Council (ICC) family of codes and related standards...

NCARB to explore ‘multiple pathways to practice’ frameworks

2023-10-13T16:45:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has outlined a commitment to creating a diversified framework that offers multiple avenues for attaining architectural licensure. The statement acknowledges not only the conventional route of obtaining an accredited education but also alternative pathways, such as community college education or professional experience replacing formal education.

While a significant majority of architects acquire their licenses through degree programs endorsed by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), 15% — which translates to over 18,000 architects — have secured their licenses through other routes. NCARB's consideration of these “multiple paths to licensure” seeks to ensure the various pathways are “afforded appropriate value through essential rigor,” the body says.

“There are many individuals working in or wishing to pursue architecture as a career who do not hold a degree from a NAAB-accredited program, but who clearl...

NCARB and ARB release reciprocal licensure guidelines for architects in the US and UK

2023-10-02T12:30:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has released information containing guidelines for architects attempting to find work authorizations in the United Kingdom through the newly-signed Mutual Recognition Agreement between them and the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

The two systems now offer registered architects in each country the chance to obtain reciprocal licensure and pursue contracts after a four-year-long research and negotiation process determined their educational and professional work experience in both are compatible side-by-side.

Speaking in February, NCARB's CEO Michael Armstrong said the agreement will “enhance the value of the NCARB Certificate as a facilitator of domestic and international mobility for many U.S.-licensed practitioners.”

Under the new agreement, architects must hold a valid license in their home country, hold a work visa or other permissions in the location where they are operating, and either an NCARB or ARB certifi...

NCARB announces new ARE 5.0 accommodations forms, other updates

2023-07-20T17:28:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has a slate of changes that will impact ARE 5.0 exam takers effective August 1st.

The changes include new online application forms made available for those who qualify under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or any English as a Second Language (ESL) candidates. The exam's guidelines will now include information on these applications, in addition to “other policies and resources.”

The council has made these forms available through My NCARB and says the ARE 5.0 Guidelines also include detailed steps for requesting accommodations through the online forms.

A new policy governing rescheduling fees for the exam has also been implemented as well. Any first-time candidate applying to reschedule can do so for free, while subsequent requests will require a $50 fee. Additionally, any second or third petitions to r...

It takes over 13 years to become an architect, according to new NCARB data

2023-07-18T11:41:00-04:00

NCARB has released its twelfth annual data report, NCARB by the Numbers, highlighting key trends in architectural education and licensure.

The report, derived from NCARB’s database of over 128,000 licensure candidates and architects, shows a 9% rise in the number of architecture license candidates in 2022, exceeding 35,000. The average time from starting college to licensure was 13.3 years, with women achieving licensure about 11 months faster than men. New architects are also increasing diversity in the profession, with one in three new architects being a person of color and two out of five being women.

NCARB By The Numbers 2023 summary chart. Image credit: NCARB

The report indicates that in 2022, there were nearly 120,000 licensed architects in the U.S. Licensed architects held about 145,000 reciprocal licenses, a 6% increase from the previous year, which NCARB explains as a demand for professional mobility due to COVID-19.

Despite the 9% increase in licensure candidates, there wa...

Slight decline in number of licensed architects in the United States, says NCARB

2023-06-13T11:56:00-04:00

NCARB has released new data which found that the number of architects licensed in the United States has slightly declined. In 2022, the profession held 119,906 licensed architects while in 2021, the number was 121,600, representing a decline of approximately 1%. Meanwhile, the number of architects with reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses rose by 6%.

The data is derived from NCARB’s annual Survey of Architectural Registration Boards, which provides insights into licensing across the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"The approximately 1% decline in the number of architects licensed in 2022 is likely caused by continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," NCARB said about the data. "The increase in reciprocal licensures, however, is a positive sign for the profession, reflecting an increase in demand for professional mobility. Data from the 2023 NCARB by the Numbers, which will be released next month,...

Work and study agreement signed between architectural registration bodies of the UK, Australia, and New Zealand

2023-03-31T13:19:00-04:00

A new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) has recently been signed between the UK’s Architects Registration Board (ARB), the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

This follows the MRA reached between the ARB and the United States’ National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) in February.

Starting May 25th, a streamlined registration process, resulting in reduced costs and examinations, will make it easier for architects to register to work in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, architects educated up to and including a master’s degree will be able to complete their training in another partner country.

Previously on Archinect: NCARB and ARB sign Mutual Recognition Agreement affecting architects in the US and UK

“This is another welcome step that opens up the world for architects and architecture,” RIBA President Simon Allford said in response to the agreement. “Through these agreemen...

Harvard students' survey finds most architectural tasks can be done remotely

2023-03-13T08:00:00-04:00

Students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design have published the results of their survey into the question of whether architecture can be practiced remotely. Launched in November 2022, the survey received 221 responses from across the profession and has led organizers to conclude that “architects believe that the vast majority of architectural tasks can be done ‘entirely or almost entirely remotely’”.

The survey, authored by students Su In Kim, Yun Ki Cheung, and Pedro Rodríguez-Parets as part of the “Frameworks of Practice” course, was designed to reflect NCARB's structure for the ARE, specifying 36 tasks across 6 project phases to create what the organizers considered a typical workflow from project inception to completion as well as practice management. For each of the 36 tasks, the survey asked respondents to respond ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question of whether the specific task could be done “almost entirely or entirely remotely.”

Graph via the "Can Architecture be practiced...

Citing equity concerns, NCARB nixes its rolling clock policy for the ARE 5.0 and above

2023-02-23T19:24:00-05:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has just announced a milestone change to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) process that will affect the ARE 5.0 and any subsequent versions to follow.

The organization says it will now do away with its five-year Rolling Clock Policy governing the length of time it takes to successfully pass each division of the exam and register as a professional architect in the United States. The change will go into place effective May 1st.

The decision was purportedly the result of an analysis that showed disparities of race and gender under the current policy in addition to a marked increase in candidates' competency where that policy was not in place, to begin with.

Previously on Archinect: Tell us your experience: Challenges on the path to architectural licensure

“This research-backed decision to eliminate the rolling clock policy was unanimously supported by the Board of Directors and the new score validity policy ...

NCARB and ARB sign Mutual Recognition Agreement affecting architects in the US and UK

2023-02-16T14:15:00-05:00

Today, a landmark Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) has been reached between the UK’s Architects Registration Board (ARB) and United States’ National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) that will streamline the registration process for architects in both countries beginning on April 25, 2023.

Under the new agreement, qualified architects will be able to cross-register in the opposing country in an effort to reduce costs and the need for examinations while “upholding and maintaining the high standards and safety that help to protect the public in both nations.”

“Signing this MRA — creating a reciprocal arrangement whereby UK architects can register and practice in participating jurisdictions within the United States — is an exciting moment for the sector,” Hugh Simpson, the Chief Executive and Registrar of the Architects Registration Board said in a statement. “The agreement helps to open up opportunities for cooperation between individuals and firms in the UK and Un...

UK ends EU licensure reciprocity with new Architects Act 1997 amendments

2023-01-23T15:03:00-05:00

A pair of unprecedented changes to the UK’s Architects Act 1997 has been announced jointly by the British Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Architects Registration Board (ARB), ending the reciprocal acceptance of qualifications for EU-trained architects that has been observed since it was first established by Parliament.

Under the new guidelines, the UK will “end, in law, the automatic recognition of architectural qualifications listed in the EU’s Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.” It will also enable the ARB to enter into “regular-led” recognition agreements with international counterparts, in effect leaving the door open for reciprocity agreements to be negotiated with professional bodies from other individual countries on a case-by-case basis.

This comes after the ARB finally hammered out a deal last year with the American National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to ratify a Mutual Recognition Agreement that...

Almost one-third of architecture employees have faced or witnessed discrimination, says NCARB/NOMA survey

2022-10-18T10:59:00-04:00

An NCARB/NOMA investigation has found that people of color, especially African Americans, are more likely to report issues with their architecture firm’s culture. The Firm Culture & Career Development Report is the latest analysis articulating the results of the joint NCARB/NOMA Baseline on Belonging survey investigating biases and impediments in the profession. The survey received over 5000 complete responses following its release in early 2020.

Archinect Feature: Architecture Gave Me a Black Eye: A Note to Architectural Educators

The latest report, which focused almost exclusively on candidates currently on the path to licensure, found that 24% of African American respondents had considered leaving the profession due to their firm’s culture, 14% more than their white peers. Compared to white respondents, African American respondents were also 12% less likely to say they felt as though they belonged at their firm, and 10% less likely to feel valued.

In particular, African American w...

Tell us your experience: Challenges on the path to architectural licensure

2022-08-11T09:20:00-04:00

In June 2020, we conducted an interview with Princeton University School of Architecture Dean Mónica Ponce de León on the future of architectural licensure. Ponce de León’s perspective, which generated 90 comments from our readers, centered on disparities in licensure success along racial and gender groups.

“We need to be honest,” Ponce de León told us. “The profession is predominantly white and male. Only 2% of all architects are Black American. In 2008, that number was 1.5%. Let’s do the math, at that rate, it will take 240 years for the profession to look like the rest of America. I, for one, cannot wait that long.”

Media interest in the path to architectural licensure peaked once again last week with the news of two architecture graduates from Auburn University in Alabama who had become licensed architects at the age of 23. For perspective, NCARB data shows that the average age of those beginnin...

Architectural profession is recovering from COVID, and becoming more diverse, says NCARB

2022-06-23T12:55:00-04:00

The path to licensure within the U.S. is becoming more diverse from gender, race, and ethnic standpoints, according to NCARB’s annual NCARB by the Numbers report. The report also notes that the profession is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of candidates on the licensure path also increasing.

2021 saw a 23% increase in the number of candidates completing the path to licensure compared to 2020, when the pandemic saw a significant decline in participation in the licensure path. There was also a 39% increase in exams taken, and a 26% increase in exams completed.

The number of new architects increased by 23% from 2020, but is still 24% lower than pre-pandemic averages, suggesting the impact of the pandemic has still not waned.

The report also found that the average candidate takes 13 years to complete the path to licensure from starting college to receiving a ...

NCARB launches free practice exams for ARE ensuring 'equitable access to exam prep'

2022-06-17T08:10:00-04:00

NCARB has announced the launch of a suite of free practice exams for ARE candidates. The full-length, fully-scored tests have been created for each of the six divisions which comprise the ARE exam.

"The availability of high-quality, free practice exams will help ensure equitable access to exam preparation materials, leading to a more equitable experience for diverse candidates,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong upon the initiative’s announcement.

Questions within the practice exams were developed using the same method as the real ARE, and can be taken in two modes. A test mode mimics the experience of the real exam with a score report afterwards, while a practice mode provides the correct answer and supporting notes for each item as the candidate proceeds through the test.

The resource was launched in response to findings from the NCARB/NOMA Baseline on Belonging study, which fo...

Deal reached for US/UK reciprocal architectural licensure

2022-06-14T18:49:00-04:00

Two of the most influential professional architectural associations in the western hemisphere have pushed forward with their plans for a reciprocal licensure agreement between the US and UK. The UK’s Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the American National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have recently ratified a new Mutual Recognition Agreement that will make the registration and licensure process much easier for practitioners in both countries.

The agreement makes it possible for architects to obtain business contracts, network with peers, and pursue new projects in new markets. This forthcoming arrangement is modeled after existing pacts between the American organization and Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The basis of the agreement is three-pronged, and hinges on each architect’s ability to hold an active NCARB certificate, be lawfully permitted to work in the country in which they are registered and hold a valid license from their home country’s reg...

African American women significantly less supported in architecture schools, says NCARB and NOMA report

2022-04-19T12:55:00-04:00

A new report by NCARB and NOMA has found that women, particularly Black or African American women, face heavier challenges in architectural education than their male counterparts. As a result, more than half of Black or African American women surveyed state that they have considered a different career path.

The report is the latest output of the “Baseline on Belonging” study conducted by NCARB and NOMA, which seeks to identify areas where underrepresented groups are disproportionately impacted throughout their early architectural career, including education and licensing. Previous reports within the study have focused on the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), which found that white and male candidates were more likely to pass the ARE.

Excerpt from the Baseline on Belonging: Education Report by NOMA and NCARB

The latest report, whose findings are derived from 5,300 survey respondents, found that women feel less supported by pro...

ARE scholarships for aspiring Black architects launched by the Architects Foundation

2021-11-15T13:53:00-05:00

The Architects Foundation has announced the launch of the Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT) ARE Scholarship, providing support for aspiring Black architects within the licensing process. Through the scholarship, the organization is aiming to double the number of licensed Black architects in the United States by 2030.

The scholarship will cover the cost of the ARE, a one-year subscription to the AIA’s exam prep course ArchiPrep, one year of dues to either the AIA or NOMA, one year NCARB record fees, and $500 in study materials. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must identify as Black or African American, be eligible for the ARE, hold an NCARB Record, and be either an Associate AIA or a member of NOMA.

Findings from NOMA/NCARB report on disparities in architectural licensing

To apply for the more than 30 awards available under LFRT, applicants must submit a brief 500-word personal statement, a professional biography and/or résumé, and a maximum of three optional letters of ...

NOMA/NCARB report exposes exam disparities for people of color and older candidates

2021-09-13T13:28:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) have released a report focused on disparities in architectural licensing examination. Titled Baseline on Belonging: Examination Report, the study seeks to explore factors that impact equity, diversity, and inclusion for candidates taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Infographic via NOMA/NCARB

The 100-page report is centered on survey data from the experiences of people preparing for or taking the ARE, including obstacles in the areas of financial support, mentoring, and overall cost. More than 5,000 people submitted responses to the survey, including over 2,800 people of color and almost 2,500 women. The report also features an analysis of a multi-year collection of NCARB data, which as we previously reported, indicates that people of color have significantly lower pass rates in the ARE than their white peers.

Infographic via NOMA/NCARB

Among th...

The latest NCARB report shows how architectural education changed in 2020

2021-08-16T14:04:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has published new data giving insights into the growth of architectural education throughout the 2019/2020 academic year. As part of their tenth annual NCARB by the Numbers report, NCARB examined the number of individuals beginning, continuing, and graduating from architectural education throughout the academic year as well as information on demographics.

Overall, the number of new and total enrollments in NAAB-accredited programs continued to rise for the 2019/2020 academic year, as did the number of graduates. 7,968 new students enrolled in an NAAB program in the 2019/2020 cycle, representing a 3% increase on the previous year, and a third consecutive year of steady growth. Of those, 51% enrolled in a Bachelor of Architecture, 48% enrolled in a Master of Architecture, and less than 1% enrolled in a Doctor of Architecture. Just over half of new students (51%) were women.

Related on Archinect: Total number of U.S. ...

Total number of U.S. architects is still growing despite COVID-19 disruption

2021-08-11T12:27:00-04:00

The total number of registered architects in the United States has continued to grow over the past year, despite the pressures of COVID-19 disruption on both the professional industry and licensing pathways.

New data from the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB) has found that the number of licensed architects in the United States grew to 121,997 by the end of 2020, representing a 5% increase on 2019. The continued increase in U.S. architects last year is notable, given that the number of newly licensed architects during 2020 was 40% lower than the rolling three-year average.

Recently on Archinect: COVID led to 40% drop in new architects last year, says NCARB report

Despite the shutdown of construction sites and transition to remote working, there remained a strong increase in both initial (in-state) licenses and reciprocal (out-of-state) licenses. There were 140,342 reciprocal licenses reported in 2020, a 2% increase on the 2019 figure. The number of rec...

White and male candidates more likely to pass the ARE, says NCARB study

2021-07-22T12:23:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has, for the first time, published data on Architect Registration Examination (ARE) pass rates that are broken down by demographics. The statistics show that white candidates are more likely to pass the ARE than candidates of color, that men are more likely to pass than women, and that younger candidates have higher pass rates than older candidates. The findings will also be included in an upcoming joint report between NCARB and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA).

The ARE, which is developed and administered by NCARB, is a key step on the path to professional licensing and is required by all state licensing boards in the United States. To generate the latest statistics, NCARB analyzed the pass rates from more than 32,700 ARE exam participants, studying information on race, ethnicity, gender, and age. NCARB says that releasing the findings is an effort to “help inform essential discussions about eq...

Meet NCARB's 2021-2022 President Alfred Vidaurri Jr.

2021-07-13T20:36:00-04:00

“I am honored to be the first Latino president in this organization’s 102-year history,” said Vidaurri. “But I look forward to the day when we no longer have to call out the first, or the second, or the third, but can celebrate the vision of the individual.”

Alfred Vidaurri Jr., NCARB, NOMA, FAIA, of Fort Worth, Texas, was inducted as the president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) at its 2021 Annual Business Meeting. Vidaurri is the first Latino president in the organization’s history; in this role, he will lead the organization that supports the 55 U.S. architectural licensing boards in their mission to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

During his term as president, Vidaurri will focus on two issues essential to architectural regulation: how the path to earning an architecture license should evolve to meet the needs of the future; and how NCARB can support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) along that path. Under his lea...

COVID led to 40% drop in new architects last year, says NCARB report

2021-06-16T12:14:00-04:00

There was a 40% decrease in the number of newly licensed architects during 2020 relative to the previous three-year average, according to a report published today by the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB). The statistic is one of many findings contained within the special report, which examined the impact of COVID-19 on architectural licensing and mobility across the United States between January and December of 2020.

According to the report, a combination of license test center closures, a transition to remote work, and a fluctuating, unpredictable demand for architectural services all impacted the career progress of licensure candidates in 2020. For instance, the delivery of Architect Registration Examinations (AREs) dropped by 44% last year, largely due to the closure of test centers between March and June.

Decline in new architects during 2020. Read the full NCARB report here.

The number of newly licensed architects dropped by 40% versus the previou...

NCARB to launch remote ARE testing on November 16th

2020-09-01T16:49:00-04:00

As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact how aspiring architects earn their licensing credentials, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has announced that it will begin remote examinations for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) on November 16th, 2020.

The shift will allow a growing backlog of ARE candidates who have been unable to complete their examinations to work toward those goals despite the persistence of testing center closures across many states. While additional guidance for test takers is due to be released by NCARB in mid-September, NCARB explains that "content and division structure will not change" for the exams, though the specific format, number of questions, and other aspects may change to accommodate online exam proctoring.

Previously on Archinect: NCARB adds six months to exam clock, plans for remote examinations.

"However, several elements of the exam’s delivery will be updated to enhance ARE security, make the ARE more...

NCARB adds six months to exam clock, plans for remote examinations

2020-08-18T14:16:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has announced additional measures to aid prospective Architect Registration Examination (ARE) candidates.

Access to ARE examination sites has been spotty, if not outright unavailable, throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic so far, though testing centers in certain states began reopening earlier this summer. In order to help test takers stay on track with their examination schedules, NCARB has issued an additional six-month rolling clock extension to ARE candidates that had "passing exam scores that were valid as of March 1, 2020."

Previously on Archinect: Architectural Licensure at a Crossroads: An Interview with NCARB President Robert M. Calvani and President-Elect Alfred Vidaurri. Images courtesy of NCARB.

This extension builds on a previous nine-month grace period that was put into effect back in March when Prometric, the company that administers ARE examinations across the country, made the move to shu...

New Mexico architect Robert M. Calvani inaugurated as new NCARB President

2020-06-25T16:26:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has inaugurated New Mexico architect Robert M. Calvani, FAIA, NCARB as its 2020 President.

For the next year, Calvani will lead the nation's 55 architectural licensing boards amid seismic upheavals taking shape within the architectural profession amid the economic and social tumult resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

In a statement announcing his inauguration, Calvani writes, “I am honored by the trust placed in me to lead the Council this year. NCARB has built up great momentum in the past several years, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to be agile, embrace new approaches, and raise awareness of our important work to protect the public.”

According to the announcement, Calvani aims to focus his tenure on "exploring issues related to regulating incidental architecture practice, architects’ responsible charge when signing and sealing documents, and ethics in the profession" while also expanding "efforts to ...

NCARB testing set to resume June 9th in many states

2020-06-05T18:55:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), as of June 1, has begun re-opening testing sites for architectural licensure examinations. Starting on Tuesday, June 9th, 2020, prospective exam takers will be able to schedule an appointment at any open test center offering “All Programs” or “Essential Only” services, which include the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) .

Prometric, the company that actually administers the tests, has, according to a recent NCARB announcement, "been able to resume testing at locations where local and state mandates allow" as states across the country begin to reopen following the two-month-long COVID-19-related closures.

You can view Prometric’s current site openings on the company's website; This list is set to be updated daily with new re-opening information. The shift comes as NCARB and Prometric lobby to change the designation of ARE exam takers from "non-essential" to "essential" in the wake of the pandemic.

NCARB wr...

NCARB delays licensing exams through end of May

2020-04-27T11:44:00-04:00

Prometric, the test administration company responsible for hosting NCARB's Architect Registration Examination (ARE), has decided to keep all test centers in North America closed until May 31, 2020. According to NCARB, when the test centers do reopen they will operate at 50 percent capacity to maintain social distancing for test takers. Additionally, if a test center becomes booked beyond the 50 percent capacity limit, Prometric will randomly select candidates to reschedule.

Due to the closures and test cancellations, NCARB has offered rescheduling at no-cost and has added an additional six months to test taker's rolling clocks. The organization will be hosting a live Webinar this Thursday, April 30th, to answer questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the ARE.

NCARB adjusts ARE 5.0 testing policies to protect health and safety of test-takers

2020-03-13T11:54:00-04:00

In a statement released March 12th, NCARB announced it has adjusted its testing policies to protect the health and safety of licensure candidates. Among those adjustments include:

Effective immediately and continuing through the end of April, all ARE appointments can be rescheduled at no cost to the test-taker.
Candidates can apply for a rolling clock extension if they have a division that will expire between now and the end of April 2020.
Lastly, NCARB assures candidates that if they decide to keep their test appointment that the Prometric test centers have "fully reviewed all test center operations and continues to mitigate the risk of spread of the virus at their testing locations."