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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...

NCARB reports architects take 12.5 years on average to get their licenses, down from 14 years in 2013

2017-06-27T13:37:00-04:00

In 2013, it took an architect an average of 14 years to complete the initial education, myriad examinations and extra curricular activities neccessary to acheive licensure. In 2016, that figure dropped by 1.5 years thanks in part to an accelerated testing schedule. As a press release notes, "NCARB's work with licensing boards over the past decade have focused on streamlining, updating, and aligning two key pillars on the path to licensure—the Architectural Experience Program™ (AXP™) and the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®)—leading to a reduction in completion times. Plus, candidates for architecture licenses are increasingly overlapping these two programs."

ARE 5.0 officially launches today

2016-11-01T19:32:00-04:00

The ARE 5.0 is finally here, and it's eight hours and one division shorter than its predecessor. Additionally, new testing methods, including the soothing sounding drag-and-place, have been added to the exam. As a press release pithily explains:

"ARE 5.0 features the latest graphic testing methods, replacing vignettes with two new question types: hot spots and drag-and-place. ARE 5.0 also includes case studies, which provide candidates with multiple pieces of information and require them to assess and solve the types of problems architects face on a daily basis."

Archinect will be featuring an in-depth series of feature articles on the ARE; for now though, here's more on the exam: