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This page contains answers to frequently asked questions covering the follow topics. Click on a link below to scroll to a particular topic.
Frequently Asked
Questions for Continuing Education
Frequently
Asked ARE Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about
Individual Renewals
Frequently
Asked Reciprocity Questions
(Scroll to the bottom for information on foreign degrees.)
Frequently Asked Questions for Continuing Education:
To whom do CE rules apply?
They apply to every active registrant.
How many contact hours must be obtained?
12 contact hours must be obtained to renew the license (a contact hour is a minimum of 50 minutes).
When must the contact hours be obtained?
Contact hours must be obtained during the calendar year. A calendar year is January to December.
The renewal year is July 1 to June 30, how do we report the hours if they are to be obtained during the calendar year?
To renew your license you must show that you obtained the contact hours during the previous year. For example, to renew for 2005-2006 you must have obtained 12 contact hours in HSW during the calendar year 2004. To renew for 2006-2007 you must obtain 12 contact hours in HSW during the calendar year 2005.
How are the hours reported?
The hours are reported on your individual renewal form. A simple statement asking if you have complied with the CE rule is on the form; you must check a box indicating “yes” or “no”. DO NOT SEND CONTINUING EDUCATION LOGS WITH YOUR RENEWAL FORM. You do not have to send your CE log unless you are audited.
May I carry over hours from one year to the next?
Carry over is not allowed.
What subject areas are required for CE credit?
The contact hours shall be in technical and professional architectural subjects directly related to safeguarding health, safety and welfare.
How do I record my CE hours?
The CE rule provides three ways to log your CE credit:
- A self-made log showing the type of activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location, duration, the name of the instructor and amount of hours earned, or
- A file of attendance certificates or other type of evidence of participation, or
- Records maintained by the AIA/CES.
How long do I have to keep my CE records?
The records must be retained for a period of two years after the credit is claimed.
Are the contact hours pro-rated if I became licensed in the middle of the year?
No, you are completely exempt from the CE rule for the year in which you become licensed. For example, if you became licensed in August 2005 you would not have to begin obtaining CE credit until Jan. 1, 2006.
I have emeritus status from the AIA, am I exempt from the CE rule?
No, the NCBA and the AIA are different organizations; therefore you must apply to the Board for “emeritus status”. See rule .0217 for the architect emeritus guidelines.
I am not a resident of NC but my home state requires CE. Do I have to comply with each state rule?
The requirements for NC shall be deemed satisfied by a non-resident registrant provided their state accepts NC CE requirements. If that is the case you may check “yes” on the renewal from as complying with the NC CE rule.
How do I determine if a course will be acceptable to the Board?
Contact hours must be obtained in the areas of health, safety and welfare. The NCBA has defined HSW as follows: Health: Aspects of architecture that have salutary effects among users of buildings or sites and address environmental issues. Safety: Aspects of architecture intended to limit or prevent accidental injury or death among users of buildings or sites. Welfare: Aspects of architecture that engender positive emotional responses among, or enable equal access by users of buildings or sites.
The Board urges you to use your professional opinion as an architect to determine if a specific course is appropriate to fulfill CE requirements. NCBA shall not pre-approve individual courses or programs, however, organizations may apply for “approved sponsor” status. In addition to courses by Board approved sponsors, NCBA will recognize credit given to courses offered through NCARB or the AIA as long as they are HSW related.
What if I teach CE, do I get extra CE credits?
Yes, the course credit is doubled; for example, if a course is two hours you may claim four hours. Credit shall be claimed only once.
Frequently Asked ARE Questions:
I have not received my Authorization to Test letter, what should I do?
When NCBA transmits your eligibility to Thompson Prometric, they automatically generate an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. If you feel that you should have received your ATT letter please call their Customer Service line at 800-896-2272.
How long does it take to receive my scores?
Once you have taken your examination it is sent to be scored. Results for multiple-choice exams are processed within approximately 4-6 weeks. Graphic divisions are processed within approximately 6-8 weeks of your test date. After processing, your score is forwarded directly to NCBA. NCBA records your score and sends it to you.
Why is my eligibility not in the system?
If you call to schedule an exam and find that your eligibility is not in the system you need to contact NCBA. The Board is responsible for transmitting your testing eligibility information to the Chauncey Group.
What do I do if I have not received my voucher yet?
If you have not received your voucher in the mail within four weeks after receipt of request by Thompson Prometric contact ARE operations at 800-896-2272.(Please note that ARE vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable)
Who do I contact if I have changed my name or address?
If you need to have your name or address changed you must notify NCBA in writing.You must also notify Thompson Prometric. It is imperative that this be done so that your ATT matches your identification at the testing center and your score reports are sent to the correct address.
I can’t make it to my scheduled appointment. Can I cancel my appointment and not lose my test fee?
Candidates may cancel and reschedule their exams before noon three days prior to the appointment date. Your fee will not be returned to you, it will be rolled over for use as payment for the next time you schedule that exam. When you schedule a new appointment you will be required to provide credit card information to secure that appointment, however you will not be charged twice for the same exam unless you do not show for the scheduled appointment or cancel after the established deadlines. Please note that you will be charged a reschedule fee.
TO RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL AN EXAM
Call Before Noon on:
FOR A TEST
ON:
Saturday
Wednesday
Monday
Thursday
Tuesday
Friday
Wednesday
Saturday
Thursday
Monday
Friday
Tuesday
If I have a question regarding my ARE, whom do I contact?
Contact ARE operations to report problems or concerns immediately. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR SCORE REPORT. All comments and questions concerning your exam should be in writing and directed to Thompson Prometric within 10 days after your test date. Please send a copy of that letter to NCBA. (ARE Operations PO Box 6542 Princeton, NJ 08540)
I just completed my IDP, what is my next step?
Have NCARB send your complete IDP record or "Green Cover" to NCBA. You must also complete the NCBA application to take the ARE , which is on the NCBA web site forms section.Once we have the application from you and the record from NCARB it will be reviewed for your eligibility.
I completed the IDP program, but have not worked three full years under an architect, Can I still take the ARE for NC?
Some people can complete the IDP program in less than three years, but North Carolina rules and laws state that you must complete three full years of work under a licensed architect. For example if you completed the IDP program in 2 1/2 years, NC will not issue ARE eligibility until you work the additional 6 months under a licensed architect.
What if I have a computer related problem while taking the exam?
You must tell the test center administrator immediately so an
incident report can be made, also, notify Thompson Prometric, in writing, within 10
days. The letter must be sent to
ARE Operations PO Box 6542 Princeton, NJ 08540. NCBA requests that you send a copy of
this letter to the Board office also.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR SCORES TO NOTIFY ANYONE OF
A PROBLEM YOU ENCOUNTERED WHILE TAKING THE EXAM.
Are there Study Guides available?
Yes, through NCARB and Architectural Licensing Seminars.
Frequently Asked Questions about Individual Renewals:
I renewed my license but did not receive a wallet card, why?
The Board phased out wallet cards in 2000.To print the equivalent of a wallet card, go www.ncbarch.org under the Directory section you will enter your license number, your record will come up. If your license is current you will be able to print a certificate, which is the new equivalent of a license card.
I didn't get my renewal form, why?Do I still have to pay the late penalty?
The license year is July 1 to June 30. Renewals are mailed out in mid-May to the last know address for you and are due by July 1st. If you have not received your renewal form by June 1st, it is your responsibility to contact the Board office to obtain one.
It is the architect's responsibility to notify the Board office of all address changes by e-mail or in writing in a timely manner.Correspondence is sent to the last known address.
Check your "preference." With the implementation of online renewal, many architects have selected to be notified by e-mail. If the architect has selected e-mail as their preference, he or she will not be sent a paper renewal. Instead, an email will be sent to the architect reminding him or her to renew. If the architect has selected "US mail" for his or her preference, the paper renewal is sent to the last known address. Please remember your “preference”.
An architects current address and "preference," can be viewed and modified online by the architect under the “Registrant’s Only” section on the Board web site.
As for paying late fees, it is the architect's responsibility to renew in a timely manner otherwise, all late fees apply.
Who can sign an individual renewal form?
The individual renewal form is a legal document and can only be signed by the licensed architect assigned to that specific registration number. No exceptions will apply. If you do not sign your renewal form it will be considered incomplete and returned to you.
I tried to renew online but was unable to, why?
An architect cannot use the online renewal feature if his or her license is on probation for lack of continuing education or has been revoked (expired for more than a year). An architect is unable to renew online if he or she has answered "yes" to any questions in the "Moral Character" section of the renewal form or "no" to any of the questions in the "Continuing Education" section. Additionally, architects cannot renew online if his or her credit card is denied. The Board only accepts Visa and MasterCard. The online renewal will not recognize American Express cards.
Frequently Asked Reciprocity Questions
How long does it take for a license by Reciprocity to be issued?
Once the application, available on the website www.ncbarch.org, and the "Blue Cover," issued by NCARB, are received, the process of issuing a license takes about 10-15 business days.
Information for individuals who hold a Degree from a school outside of the United States
In order to qualify to sit for the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE), which leads to licensure in this state, a candidate must have both their degree and work experience evaluated.
The degree must be equivalent to a National Architecture Accreditation Board accredited professional degree in architecture.
A candidate must have at least three years of architectural experience under the direct supervision of a registered architect. The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) through their Intern Development Program (IDP) evaluates work experience. Of the three years, one may come from experienced gained while working in a foreign country under an architect not licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction.
For work experience contact: NCARB at 202/783-6500 or www.ncarb.org
For degree evaluation information please contact NAAB at 202/783-2007.
After the degree is evaluated and the IDP completed you may apply to the NC Board of Architecture to take the ARE. Upon successful completion of all sections of the exam you will be eligible for licensure in North Carolina .