Find information regarding the fees associated with NCARB's programs and services:

We work to keep our costs low for licensure candidates beginning their professional careers, which is why the fees for some programs and services increase after initial licensure. All fees are non-refundable.

Note: Fees for architect Record holders increased as of August 1, 2023. NCARB has also implemented a new exam rescheduling policy as of August 1, 2023. 

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NCARB Record Fees for Licensure Candidates

You will need an active NCARB Record to participate in the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®), take the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and have your Record transmitted to an architectural registration board for initial licensure. Once you're licensed, you'll also need a Record to apply for the NCARB Certificate. 

  • Application fee for licensure candidates: $100
    Covers your initial application for an NCARB Record, maintains your active Record for one year, and includes one free Record transmittal to support your application for initial registration.
  • Annual renewal fee for licensure candidates: $85
    Maintains your active Record for one year.
  • Reactivation fee for licensure candidates: $85 annual renewal fee for each year or partial year lapsed, up to $185
    Reactivates an expired Record.
  • Transmittal: Free
    As a licensure candidate, your initial licensure transmittal is free. 
  • Paper processing fee: $20
    Covers the additional cost of renewing your NCARB Record via paper form. To avoid this charge, renew your Record online through My NCARB.

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NCARB Record Fees for Architects

You will need an active NCARB Record to report prior experience, take the ARE (if necessary), have your Record transmitted to an architectural registration board for licensure, and apply for and maintain an NCARB Certificate.

  • Application fee for registered architects: $1,280 
    If you are already licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction, but have never held an NCARB Record, this application fee will cover the costs of evaluating your credentials for the NCARB Certificate. If you are approved for certification within 12 months of your application, your renewal date will be extended one year at no extra cost.
    Please note: If you are registered in a country other than the United States, contact our Customer Relations team at 202-879-0520 to get details on the application process.
  • Annual renewal fee for registered architects: $270
    Maintains your active Record for one year.
  • Reactivation fee for non-certified architects: $290 plus the cost of all outstanding annual renewal fees, up to $1,280 
    Reactivates an expired Record.
  • Transmittal: $450
    Includes one transmittal of your NCARB Record to a U.S., Canadian, or other foreign architectural registration authority. 
  • Paper processing fee: $20
    Covers the additional cost of renewing your NCARB Record via paper form. To avoid this charge, renew your Record online through My NCARB.

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Examination Fees

In addition to the cost of an NCARB Record, each administration of an ARE division has a separate fee.

  • Total cost (six divisions): $1,410
  • Individual divisions: $235
  • Retakes: $235

Rescheduling fee: $0 (through July 31, 2023)
Cancellation fee: $100

Note: NCARB has made a change to our ARE rescheduling policy. As of August 1, 2023:

  • The first time a candidate reschedules a previously scheduled exam appointment, it will be free
  • The second reschedule of the same appointment will cost $50
  • The third and all subsequent reschedules of the same appointment will cost $100
  • This policy applies to individual exam appointments. For example, if a candidate had Practice Management and Project Management scheduled, the first time they rescheduled both appointments would be free

You can reschedule an existing appointment up to 48 hours in advance of an in-person appointment and up to 24 hours in advance of an online-proctored appointment. You can also cancel an appointment and retain your exam seat (seat credit) for a $100 fee. Learn more about rescheduling and canceling in the ARE 5.0 Guidelines.

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NCARB Certificate Fees

The NCARB Certificate provides you with the freedom and mobility to go wherever your career takes you. You’ll also receive free continuing education opportunities through our Continuum Education Program.

Licensure candidates who maintain an active NCARB Record will not have to pay a separate application fee and will receive their first year of certification free, plus half off the annual renewal fee for their second year.

  • Certificate application fee: $1,280
    Covers the cost of processing your application and verifying your credentials, and maintains your active Certificate for one year.
  • Annual renewal fee: $270 
    Maintains your Certificate for one year.
  • Reactivation fee: $290 plus the cost of all outstanding annual renewal fees, up to $1,280 
    Reactivates an expired Certificate. 

Mutual Recognition Agreements

NCARB offers mutual recognition arrangements/agreements (MRAs) with Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Through these MRAs, NCARB Certificate holders can pursue reciprocal licenses internationally. 

Australia and New Zealand

  • U.S. Certificate holders will need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to Australia or New Zealand. The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia also charges a fee of $4,100 AUD. The New Zealand Registered Architects Board charges a fee of $724.50 NZ.
  • Architects from Australia or New Zealand will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $500 USD fee. They will also need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to the U.S. jurisdiction where they are seeking registration, and will need to pay additional registration fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional registration fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction. 

Canada

  • U.S. Certificate holders will need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to the Canadian jurisdiction of their choice. Canada may charge additional fees. 
  • Architects from Canada will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $500 USD fee. They will also need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to the U.S. jurisdiction where they are seeking registration, and will need to pay additional registration fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional registration fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction. 

Mexico

  • U.S. Certificate holders will need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to Mexico. Mexico may charge additional fees. 
  • Architects from Mexico will need to will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $500 USD fee. They will also need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to the U.S. jurisdiction where they are seeking registration, and will need to pay additional registration fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional registration fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction. 

United Kingdom

U.K. Architects:

  • ARB will need to issue you a certificate, which costs £80.00.
  • U.K. architects will need to establish an NCARB Record and pay a $3,500 USD application fee to NCARB. If the U.K. architect has already established an NCARB Record, the Record fee the architect has already paid will be deducted from the $3,500 USD application fee and the architect will be responsible for the balance of the fee—contact NCARB at www.ncarb.org/contact for more information about the balance of your application fee. 
  • U.K. architects will also need to pay a $450 transmittal fee to have their NCARB Record sent to the U.S. jurisdiction where they are seeking registration, and will need to pay additional registration fees to the relevant jurisdiction. Jurisdictional registration fees vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are set by the jurisdiction

U.S. Architects:

  • You will need to pay the Record transmittal fee ($450) to have your Record transmitted to ARB. 
  • After your Record is transmitted, you will be required to pay ARB the U.K. Adaptation Assessment fee of £2950.00.