Who to Contact: Part III
Read previous editions of "Who to Contact" FAQs in the May 2010, and April 2011 ARE e-News, or view a complete list of questions here.

When you have a question or concern relating to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), it is important that you direct your question to the right place. There are three main organizations that play a role in the testing process: NCARB, your board of architecture, and Prometric (which has two separate divisions you may need to contact).

NCARB
For those boards of architecture participating in the Direct Registration program, NCARB serves as an intermediary and manages all candidates' eligibility and score reporting processes. If you are seeking your initial license in a state that is in the Direct Registration Program, you should contact NCARB if you have any questions.
Contact Information: 202/783-6500 or are@ncarb.org

Prometric/ARE Helpdesk
Prometric serves as NCARB's test development and operations consultant. In addition to operating and maintaining test centers, their responsibilities include processing the eligibility information sent from various boards of architecture and distributing the test information package that includes your Authorization to Test letter. Prometric also issues your test results directly to your board of architecture.
Contact Information: To schedule (or reschedule) an exam appointment, contact Prometric: 800/479-6215 (TTY 800/529-3590).

For all other questions or concerns, contact the ARE Helpdesk: 800/896-2272 (TTY 800/692-5395).

Your Board of Architecture
Your board of architecture is responsible for making you eligible to take the ARE and releasing your score reports.
Contact Information: See NCARB's Registration Board Requirements section for contact information for each board.

Who do I contact if...
I tried to schedule an exam, but there are no availabilities?
Prometric, ARE Helpdesk, NCARB
Testing reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and are restricted by seat availability at each test center. If your first-choice date or time is unavailable, you will be offered an alternative that is as close to your first choice as possible.

If you encounter difficulty scheduling a testing appointment please complete and return the ARE Scheduling Verification Form included with your test information package. Read the ARE Guidelines for more information.

I believe there was a computer error during my exam?
ARE Helpdesk
It is your responsibility to immediately notify the test center administrator if you experience ANY type of problem while taking your exam. Please do not attempt to fix any computer hardware or software error yourself, and do not clear any error message that may appear.

In the event that a software or hardware problem occurs before or during your test, please wait to see if the test center administrator, with assistance from Prometric technical support, can resolve the problem. In the event a computer must be restarted, the computer software has been designed to suspend testing time until the computer is operating again. If your examination cannot be administered because of technical difficulties, your examination will be rescheduled at your earliest convenience.

I believe that there was a problem with a specific question or vignette on my exam?
ARE Helpdesk
If you suspect an error in a specific question or vignette, you must write to the ARE Helpdesk within 10 days of your exam administration at:

ARE Operations Help Desk
Prometric
1501 South Clinton Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
609/895-5022 fax
areoperations@prometric.com

In your correspondence, include the name of the division and the test date as well as your specific concern(s) about the question or vignette. A copy of this letter should be forwarded to your board of architecture. You will receive a reply from NCARB, Prometric, or your Board of Architecture as appropriate.

I believe there was an irregularity on my exam?
ARE Helpdesk
Do not wait to receive your test results before expressing your concerns. NCARB policy does not allow for response to complaints received more than 10 days following your test date and does not allow for response to complaints sent to any other address than that of the ARE Helpdesk at:

ARE Operations Help Desk
Prometric
1501 South Clinton Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
609/895-5022 fax
areoperations@prometric.com

My test center was closed during my appointment time?
Prometric
If the center is closed, you will be given the opportunity to reschedule. If you are unable to contact the local test center, call the Prometric Candidate Services Contact Center at 800/479-6215 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

My results have not arrived within six weeks of my exam?
Your Board of Architecture*
Results for all divisions are typically processed within four to six weeks of your test date and then sent to your board of architecture for any additional processing and release.

*For candidates made eligible through NCARB's Direct Registration Program, score reports will be processed and released by NCARB.

I have a question on the format and content of the exam?
NCARB
Information on all the divisions can be found in the ARE Guidelines and the individual exam guides. The exam guides now include a detailed breakdown of the test content areas and a percentage outline for the major content areas of each multiple-choice section. Read the August 2011 ARE e-News for more information.

General questions about the exam can be sent to are@ncarb.org.

REMINDER
Please remember that the use of electronic communication equipment (for example, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, iPads, laptops, pagers, etc.) during scheduled and/or unscheduled breaks, is strictly prohibited and considered candidate misconduct. Any candidate who engages in such misconduct and/or does not heed the administrator's warning to discontinue inappropriate behavior may be dismissed from the test center and/or have examination results cancelled. Refer to the ARE Guidelines for further information.