Exam Security

All NCARB tests are held in strict security and confidence and are protected by U.S. copyright laws. Before beginning your test, you will be required to accept NCARB’s Confidentiality Agreement, which prohibits any disclosure of exam content.

All candidates will be scanned by a hand-held metal detector prior to each entry into the testing room, including returns from breaks. All candidates will be required to submit to the scans, with few exceptions. Candidates refusing to be scanned may not be permitted to test. 

You are not allowed to:

  • Copy or remove test materials from the test center.
  • Refer to notes, language translation dictionaries, or reference materials during the administration of your exam.
  • Bring cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), calculators, weapons, pagers, recording devices, photographic devices, digital watches, briefcases, laptops, purses, wallets, books, outerwear (coats, hats, sweatshirts), food, beverages, and personal contents in pockets into the test center.

Small lockers are provided for candidates use to secure purses, wallets, keys, cell phones, etc. Lockers will not accommodate large items such as laptops, briefcases, etc.

For more information on exam security see the links below and the ARE 4.0 Guidelines.

Confidentiality Agreement 

NCARB Board of Directors Policy Regarding Cheating and Disclosure

NCARB Board of Directors Policy and Procedures for Test Irregularities 

December 2008 Message to ARE Candidates from Director, ARE Erica Brown 

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