Washington, DC—In April, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) will implement updates to the national licensing exam in order to align it with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects. As part of these updates, NCARB will clarify language in select exam objectives and reformat the exam’s scenario-based case studies. These changes to the exam represent the next phase in NCARB’s Pathways to Practice initiative, which seeks to expand access to architectural licensure while maintaining the rigor needed to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.

“By aligning the exam with the Competency Standard, NCARB is ensuring that licensure candidates demonstrate the appropriate level of knowledge and skill before practicing as architects,” said NCARB President Edward T. Marley, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP. “NCARB’s dedication to reviewing and improving its programs allows us to maintain best practices while addressing pinch points on the path to licensure.”

The NCARB Competency Standard for Architects is a framing document that establishes 16 knowledge areas, skills, abilities, and behaviors—called competencies—necessary at the point of initial licensure as an architect. NCARB released the Competency Standard in October 2024 following an industry-wide Analysis of Practice and several years of research and development.

Updates to the Exam

The updates to the exam will not impact the program’s existing divisional structure, which is based on typical phases of architectural practice. Instead, the updates will ensure that the objectives within the exam’s six divisions are aligned with the competencies defined in the Competency Standard. This includes adjustments to 12 of the exam’s 91 objectives; most of these adjustments are minor clarifying changes, but several will narrow the scope of the competency being assessed.

Additionally, NCARB will reformat the exam’s case studies, which evaluate candidates’ responses to questions based on a specific project-based scenario. The reformat is designed to make case studies more effective and efficient for candidates by reducing the number of resources and items per case study—improving exam loading and reading comprehension times.

The updates to the ARE will not impact the number of items per division or testing time per division. Candidates’ passed exams, including exams reinstated as part of the retirement of the ARE’s former rolling clock policy, will not be impacted by these changes. An updated version of the ARE 5.0 Guidelines reflecting the upcoming changes will be available in early 2026.

Updates to the Experience Program

NCARB previously announced updates to align the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) with the Competency Standard. These changes go into effect on November 18, 2025, and include adjustments to the descriptions of the AXP’s six practiced-based experience areas.

In addition, NCARB will replace the experience program’s five-year reporting requirement, which limited the window of time in which candidates could gain AXP credit for professional experience, with a more flexible reporting policy that has no five-year time limit for reporting experience.

An updated version of the AXP Guidelines reflecting the upcoming changes is now available.

Expanding Licensure Access

In addition to informing updates to the existing AXP and ARE, the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects will shape NCARB’s Pathways to Practice effort. Launched in 2023, Pathways to Practice seeks to expand licensure access to individuals of all backgrounds by creating a more flexible licensure model outside of the traditional combination of education, experience, and examination.

NCARB will use the competencies defined in the Competency Standard to envision new pathways—and refresh traditional pathways—to become an architect, including expanded options for individuals who don’t hold a degree from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

For more information, visit www.ncarb.org/pathways.

About NCARB  

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.  

To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate. Connect with NCARB on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.