Today the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the leader in architectural regulation and licensing, made two significant announcements with far-reaching impact for the architectural industry.
First, NCARB released key findings from the July 2016 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, demonstrating a robust architecture industry with more certified architects and licensure candidates than ever before. Currently more than 108,000 professionals benefit from the NCARB’s programs and resources, including 41,000 NCARB-certified architects.
Additional key findings from the 2016 NCARB by the Numbers include:
- 40,917 U.S. architects hold an NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity
- 41,524 professionals are actively working toward licensure
- 34% of newly licensed architects are women.
NCARB also announced today that the latest version of the Architect Registration Examination®, known as ARE 5.0, will launch later this year on November 1.
ARE 5.0 will include six divisions with test durations ranging between 3.5 to 5.0 hours — a substantial decrease from the current version. These divisions will include at least 80 questions and one or two case studies. All of them incorporate new testing technologies.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of the architecture profession,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong at the group’s 2016 Annual Business Meeting in Seattle, WA.
Additional information can be found in the press releases below.
Number of NCARB Certified Architects, Licensure Candidates Reach All-Time High
NCARB’s data reveals growing interest in architectural licensure and certification.
Seattle, WA—The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) community continues to grow, with more than 108,000 professionals benefiting from the organization’s programs and resources.
Of those professionals, nearly 41,000 architects hold an NCARB Certificate—the highest number on record and a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Awarded by NCARB, the Certificate facilitates reciprocal licensure across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of the architecture profession, and our data suggests this community will grow in diversity in the coming years,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong at 2016 Annual Business Meeting.
The number of professionals working toward licensure also reached an all-time high, with more than 41,500 candidates taking the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) and/or reporting experience hours.
This data, which will be available in July’s 2016 edition of NCARB by the Numbers, points to a growing interest in licensure and certification. Key findings from this year’s report include:
• 40,917 U.S. architects hold an NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity
• 4,509 architects have an NCARB account to store professional experience
• 41,524 professionals are actively working toward licensure
• 21,201 professionals have an active NCARB account but have not taken the ARE or reported experience in the past year
The report also reveals that the pool of licensure candidates and new architects is more diverse than ever before:
• 38 percent of Intern Development Program (IDP) completions are by women
• 37 percent of ARE completions are by women
• 34 percent of newly licensed architects are women
Sign up to receive access to the full NCARB by the Numbers report when it’s released in July.
NCARB Announces ARE 5.0 Launch Date
The highly anticipated ARE 5.0 will launch November 1, 2016.
Seattle, WA—The next version of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), ARE 5.0, will launch November 1, 2016, incorporating the latest testing technologies and format that more closely aligns with modern practice. The six-division exam will include case studies that simulate real-world practice, and will be offered without a fee increase.
Developed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the multi-division exam is taken by all candidates seeking architectural licensure in the United States. As with all licensing exams, the ARE is updated periodically to ensure it continues to test the knowledge and skills necessary for the independent practice of architecture.
To adapt to changes in the profession, ARE 5.0 will incorporate a new division structure and the latest graphic testing methods. The exam content has been reorganized into six divisions, which are designed to reflect the phases of architectural practice—from practice management to construction and evaluation. The new divisions also align with the experience areas of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), making the licensure process smoother and easier to understand for candidates.
“We’re excited to offer this new exam to licensure candidates,” said NCARB President Dennis Ward, NCARB, AIA, who announced the launch date at the organization’s 97th Annual Business Meeting in Seattle. “By ensuring the exam is aligned to current practice, licensure candidates can more accurately demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for practice today.”
Incorporating the Latest Testing Technology
The new exam will retire vignettes—a graphic question type used in the current version—and incorporate two new question types: hot spots and drag-and-place. ARE 5.0 will also include case studies to assess a candidate’s ability to synthesize multiple pieces of information. Each ARE 5.0 division will feature 80 to 120 questions comprised of these new question types multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
NCARB carefully develops the ARE in conjunction with hundreds of practicing architects who volunteer their time, services, and expertise to write, test, and analyze the exam. The ARE is then reviewed by experts who verify the questions are fair, reliable, and in compliance with national testing standards.
Preparing Candidates for ARE 5.0
NCARB will continue to administer ARE 4.0 until June 30, 2018. This 20-month period of dual delivery will enable current candidates to finish the exam in a way that best suits their needs. Last fall, the organization released an online Transition Calculator to help candidates plan their testing strategy. Following the launch, both ARE 5.0 and 4.0 will be administered at Prometric testing centers throughout the United States, Canada, London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi.
About NCARB
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB assists its member registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects.
NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. In order to achieve these goals, the Council develops and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to Member Boards a process for certifying the qualifications of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of Member Boards before public and private agencies. NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada.