Architectural Registration Exam

All applicants for architectural registration in North Carolina by written examination must pass the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) prepared by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Each candidate for licensure through examination must obtain a passing score in each of the seven divisions of the ARE. A division not passed may be retaken after six months.

General Information

Fees:

The Board charges a $50.00 application fee which is non-refundable. The examination cost is $210 per division and is paid directly to the testing center where a candidate wishes to sit for the examination.

Traditional application process:

All applicants must submit the Application to Take the ARE to the Board along with the non-refundable application fee of $50.00. The applicant must direct NCARB to have the completed IDP record sent to the Board office. Once both pieces of information are received the eligibility will be deteremined. The candidate will be notified of approval to take the exam. The Board office also notifies Prometric of the candidates eligibilty and which divisions must be passed by a candidate prior to application for licensure. Please note that Board file retention policies require that records be archived and destroyed after seven years of inactivity.

Early Eligibility Option

The Board also offers early eligibility to take the exam to those individuals who have obtained the required NAAB accredited degree, have enrolled in the NCARB IDP and have had verified by NCARB at least 2000 training units of the IDP as approved by NCARB.  Upon successful completion of all sections of the ARE, fulfillment of the practical training requirement and fulfillment of all remaining IDP requirements an individual may submit the application and fee for licensure by exam and may then be granted a license to practice architecture. Click here to download the Early Eligibility Application to take the ARE.

 

Architectural Registration Exam Score Retention:

As of November 1, 2010 retention of credit for purposes of licensure by examination in North Carolina is as follows.

(1)           Passing scores received after July 1, 2006 on any part of the ARE remain valid for a period of time established by the exam provider, NCARB.

(2)           As of July 1, 2011, passing scores received on any part of the ARE prior to July 1, 1996 are invalid.

(3)           As of July 1, 2014, passing scores received on any part of the ARE after July 1, 1996 and prior to July 1, 2006 are invalid.

Architectural Registration Exam Sections

The Architectural Registration Exam is given on a year-round basis at various testing sites throughout the country. Candidates will schedule when and where they wish to take a division. The current divisions of the A.R.E. 4.0 are:

Programming, Planning & Practice
Site Planning & Design
Building Design & Construction Systems
Schematic Design
Structural Systems
Building Systems
Construction Documents & Services

Candidates must contact the testing center directly to schedule dates and times to take divisions of the ARE or to cancel appointments. Regardless of your residency and State of Eligibility, you may test at any center in the country.

A $35.00 fee will be assessed each time a candidate makes any changes to his/her previously scheduled appointment. Candidates will be required to select their future appointment date at the time they notify the Prometric Candidate Services Call Center (1-800-479-6215) of their schedule change. The only acceptable form of payment for this fee will be by credit card.

Rescheduling an existing appointment must take place no later than 12:00 noon ET (Eastern Time) on the third business day prior to the candidate's scheduled appointment. Please note that in some cases Saturday is considered a business day.

If a candidate fails to arrive for his/her scheduled appointment or attempts to reschedule without giving the required notice, he/she will forfeit the entire test fee.