Over the next two years, NCARB will use the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects to implement changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). These updates will focus on aligning the AXP and ARE with the competencies defined in the Competency Standard.
Currently working on the AXP and/or ARE? Don’t worry.
The updates to the AXP and ARE won’t affect the current AXP experience areas or ARE divisions, and you’ll retain full credit for all your existing AXP hours and passed ARE divisions. If you have ARE 5.0 credits from passed ARE 4.0 divisions, those credits will not be impacted by the 2026 updates.
AXP Changes
In addition to minor program updates and clarifications, NCARB is making several changes to the AXP. The structure of the AXP will remain the same, including the six experience areas and the requirement to gain and document 3,740 hours of experience. All changes will be reflected in a new version of the AXP Guidelines, which you can download now.
The following changes will go into effect November 18, 2025:
- Refreshed descriptions of each of the program’s six experience areas: The AXP experience areas will no longer be described by a list of 96 tasks. Instead, the description of each experience area will be updated to reflect appropriate capabilities described in the Competency Standard for Architects. The minimum required hours per experience area will not be impacted. Note: AXP Portfolio applicants will still need to associate exhibits with the current AXP’s 96 tasks.
- Replacing the five-year reporting requirement with a new reporting policy: Under the current requirement, candidates must report all experience within eight months of earning it for 100% credit, and within five years for 50% credit; any experience older than five years does not receive any credit. Under the new policy, candidates will be able to earn 100% credit for experience up to a year old. Experience older than one year will be worth 75% credit, with no limitation on how old that experience can be.
This change will apply to previously reported experience as well as new experience reports, and many candidates will receive additional AXP credit. Hours previously reported and approved for 50% credit will be automatically increased to 75% credit for all candidates who are not already AXP complete. Note: Hours will not be automatically updated for AXP complete candidates—individuals who are AXP complete may contact NCARB if they would like their hours to be adjusted based on the new reporting policy.
- Updating the process through which candidates can gain experience for completing professional development courses: NCARB will expand the “Setting O: Continuing Education for HSW” opportunity that allows you to gain experience for completing continuing education (CE) programs that qualify for HSW. Under the current program requirements, NCARB only accepts courses accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which limits access to this experience opportunity to candidates who maintain AIA membership.
Under the updated requirements, NCARB will accept both AIA-accredited HSW CE courses, as well as professional development courses accredited by other organizations (these organizations must be pre-approved by NCARB). This will expand access to non-AIA members who complete courses through these approved organizations. More information about approved organizations and required documentation will be provided this fall.
ARE Changes
In addition, NCARB is expecting to launch minor updates to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) in April 2026. The changes will focus on minor adjustments to a small subset of the exam objectives outlined in the ARE Guidelines in order to align them with the Competency Standard. NCARB will also make formatting changes to the exam’s case studies to improve the testing experience. More information about these changes will be available in fall 2025.