Washington, DC—As part of its Pathways to Practice initiative, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is implementing updates that will align its experience program and national licensing exam with its Competency Standard for Architects. The updates, as further described below, will include adjustments to experience reporting requirements, updates to the descriptions of experience areas, and refining some exam objectives and case study formatting. These updates to NCARB programs will better reflect the capabilities necessary at the point of initial licensure as an architect, as well as address common administrative impediments faced by candidates on the path to licensure—including the experience program’s reporting requirement.

“NCARB is constantly exploring opportunities to improve our programs and services,” said NCARB President Edward T. Marley, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP. “These updates reflect NCARB’s commitment both to protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare, and to ensuring that the path to licensure is accessible to all.”

The updates to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) represent the next phase in NCARB’s Pathways to Practice effort, which seeks to expand licensure access to individuals of all backgrounds. They follow the October 2024 release of the Competency Standard for Architects, a framing document that establishes 16 knowledge areas, skills, abilities, and behaviors—called competencies—necessary at the point of initial licensure as an architect.

As part of these changes, both the AXP and ARE will maintain their existing structure, which is based on typical phases of architectural practice. The updates will align the six practice-based areas in each assessment method with the competencies defined in the Competency Standard. 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.

“These changes confirm that licensure is keeping pace with changes in design and technology that are shaping the profession, as well as with societal needs to expand access and ensure responsible regulation,” said NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong.

Updates to the Experience Program

The updates to the AXP are expected to launch on November 18, 2025. These changes include:

  • Refreshed descriptions of each of the program’s six experience areas: The 96 tasks identified within the current AXP experience area descriptions will be removed; instead, each experience area will reflect appropriate capabilities described in the Competency Standard for Architects.
  • 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. 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.
  • Expanding the opportunities through which candidates can gain experience for completing professional development courses: Candidates are currently able to earn experience for completing HSW-qualified continuing education programs approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Under the updated Setting O opportunity, candidates will be able to earn continuing education experience for completing programs offered by more providers in addition to the AIA, expanding access to candidates who are not AIA members.

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

The updates to the AXP will not impact the total hours required to complete the program, the hours required under each of the six experience areas, or the overall program structure.

NCARB anticipates that these updates will positively impact the AXP progress of many candidates. No candidate will lose AXP credit as part of these updates. However, many candidates will receive additional AXP credit as hours previously reported for 50% credit will be increased to 75% credit.

Updates to the Exam

The updates to the ARE are expected to launch in April 2026. These changes include:

  • Adjustments to several exam objectives: NCARB will make minor adjustments to 12 of the 91 exam objectives identified in the ARE Guidelines. These adjustments are limited to small clarifying updates and—in some cases—narrowing the competency expectations assessed in the exam to align with the Competency Standard for Architects.
  • Updated case studies: The ARE’s scenario-based case studies will be refined for efficiency and effectiveness, with an end goal of improving the exam candidate experience.

More detailed information regarding the ARE changes will be available in fall 2025.

The updates to the ARE will not impact the overall division structure, 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.

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, Facebook, and YouTube.