Who to Contact: Part II
Test Eligibilities, Rolling Clock, and Special Accommodations
Read NCARB's first set of "Who to Contact" FAQs in the May 2010 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...
My name is misspelled or I need to change my name on my Authorization to Test (ATT)?
Your Board of Architecture
If you need to correct your name, you must first call your board of architecture. Once you board updates your name, you should request a new ATT from the ARE Helpdesk. It is imperative that this be done so that your ATT matches the identification you will provide at the testing center.

NOTE: When you arrive at a test center, the name on your primary form of identification must be the same as the name that appears on your ATT. If you scheduled your appointment prior to changing your name, your new information will not appear on the check-in screen at the test center. You will not be admitted to the examination and there will be no refund on your test fee.

I need special testing accommodations?
Your Board of Architecture
All Prometric test centers are designed to accommodate people with disabilities. Special testing accommodations require authorization from your board of architecture or NCARB (if your board participates in the Direct Registration Program). See the ARE 4.0 Guidelines for more information.

I have an approved special accommodation request, and I need to schedule my exam?
Prometric
Once your board of architecture has approved you for special accommodations, you will receive an ATT letter. Accommodations cannot be applied to an appointment retroactively. Do not schedule any appointments for which you want your accommodations applied until you have received your new ATT. To schedule your appointment, you must call the Special Conditions Department at the Prometric Candidate Services Contact Center at 800/967-1139 (TTY 800/529-3590).

My eligibility to test has expired?
Your Board of Architecture
If your eligibility to take the ARE has expired for any reason (i.e. board of architecture rule, Rolling Clock, etc.), you must contact your board of architecture to re-establish eligibilities for the divisions affected. To reopen your eligibility to test, you may need to meet the current requirements of your board.

I don't understand my Rolling Clock?
NCARB
The NCARB ARE Five-Year Rolling Clock requires that all divisions of the ARE be completed within a five-year period. More information can be found in NCARB's Rolling Clock section. Questions about the ARE Rolling Clock can be sent to the ARE Directorate at are@ncarb.org.

My rolling clock has rolled past my first exam, and I can't seem to schedule a retest?
Your Board of Architecture
If one of your exam scores expires due to the NCARB Rolling Clock, you must call your board of architecture after the division has expired to reopen your eligibility for that division. If you are located in a Direct Registration jurisdiction, you should contact NCARB if you are unable to schedule an exam division due to the Rolling Clock.

I would like to request a rolling clock extension?
NCARB
Download the NCARB ARE Rolling Clock Extension Request Form from the NCARB web site. NCARB may allow an extension to the NCARB Rolling Clock in circumstances where completion of all divisions was prevented by the birth or adoption of child, by a serious medical condition, by active military service, or by other like causes. [more]

NCARB Direct Registration Program: What does that mean for you?
NCARB assists 18 jurisdictions by serving as an intermediary and managing the candidate eligibility and score reporting processes. For candidates who are testing in these jurisdictions, authorization to test letters, division scores, and special testing accommodations are handled by NCARB.

Jurisdictions in the Direct Registration Program are:
Arizona
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Nevada
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
West Virginia

If you are testing through one of the jurisdictions above, NCARB should be your point of contact for questions that aren't directed to the ARE Helpdesk or Prometric.

ARE Test Center References
Two divisions of the ARE have references available in the test center for candidates to use while testing. Those references are available on NCARB's web site to help you better prepare and manage your examination time. Both references can be downloaded at NCARB's Preparing for the ARE section of the web site.

Structural Systems
Download the list of formulas and an index of references that will be available in the test center. NCARB does not have copyright permission to reproduce these references in their entirety, except in testing centers; the full references are available in test centers with the permission of the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, the International Code Council, and the National Research Council Canada.

Building Systems
Download the mathematical equations that will be available in the test center.

REMINDER
Communications devices, such as personal calculators, personal digital assistants, pagers, and cellular telephones, are not allowed in the testing room and are not allowed to be accessed or used during mandatory or unscheduled breaks. Also, leaving the testing center anytime during your exam administration (including mandatory and unscheduled breaks) is strictly prohibited.

Schedule an Exam Appointment
Click Here to schedule an appointment online.

Update Your Contact Information
Does NCARB and your board of architecture have your most current contact information? If not, update it today!

Stay Informed
To help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements, NCARB is offering two new options.

Follow us on Twitter today!

Add our Facebook Page to your news feed. Click here for more.

Join us on LinkedIn today!

Subscribe to our channel and watch our videos on YouTube.