ARE (Architectural Registration Exam)
NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards)
Complete guide to passing the ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) exam on your first attempt.
$235 per division (6 divisions = $1,410 total)
~50% per division
5-year rolling clock to pass all 6 divisions
USA
NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards)
$70k-$130k (licensed architect)
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Complete Overview
The ARE (Architect Registration Examination) is NCARB's six-division licensing exam that every US jurisdiction requires before granting an architecture license, and each division costs $263, making the full set $1,578 before the NCARB Record fees. Candidates are architecture graduates working through the Architectural Experience Program, and the exam is taken one division at a time, in any order, at PSI test centers or through the PSI online proctoring platform.
The six divisions are Practice Management, Project Management, Programming and Analysis, Project Planning and Design, Project Development and Documentation, and Construction and Evaluation. They are not equal in size. Practice Management is 65 items in 2 hours 40 minutes. Project Management, Programming and Analysis, and Construction and Evaluation are 75 items in 3 hours each. Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation are 100 items in 4 hours 5 minutes. Added together the ARE is 490 items and 19 hours 50 minutes of testing time, spread across 24 hours 20 minutes of appointments.
Every division uses three item types: multiple choice with three or four options, check-all-that-apply where you select between two and four correct responses from six options, and hotspot where you click a location on a drawing or photograph. Each item is worth one point, there is no partial credit, and nothing is deducted for a wrong answer. Each division also carries 6 to 9 unscored pretest items scattered at random.
Standalone items come first in the content portion and case studies sit at the end, though the Exam Summary tool lets you jump to the case studies whenever you want. A case study gives you a project scenario plus one or two resources, which might be code excerpts, AIA contracts, drawings, budgets, schedules, or program requirements, then asks items that require locating information in those resources and applying it. Practice Management includes up to 6 case studies with up to 14 case study items; Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation include up to 9 case studies with up to 20 items.
NCARB published 2025 pass rates of 51 percent for Practice Management, 63 percent for Project Management, 59 percent for Programming and Analysis, 48 percent for Project Planning and Design, 54 percent for Project Development and Documentation, and 61 percent for Construction and Evaluation, from 17,747 candidates testing. The overall 2025 pass rate was 55 percent, the same as 2024.
After a failed division you must wait 60 days before retaking it, and you may take the same division no more than three times in any 12-month period. Provisional feedback appears on screen the moment you end the exam, but the official score report arrives in your NCARB Record within 7 to 10 calendar days.
Why Get ARE (Architectural Registration Exam) Certified?
Passing all six divisions is required by every US jurisdiction to earn an architecture license, which is what allows you to use the title architect and seal drawings.
You choose the order and the pace. Divisions can be taken in any sequence, and each is scheduled and paid for separately at $263 rather than as one lump commitment.
NCARB provides seven full-length practice exams free to anyone with an active NCARB Record: one for each division plus a 75-item multidivisional exam, built with the same process and tools as the real thing.
You can sit a division at a PSI test center or through the PSI Proctoring Platform, and you can mix the two across divisions; test center appointments need 48 hours of notice and online-proctored appointments 24 hours.
A failing score report includes a scaled score, which passing reports omit, plus page-two feedback on relative strengths and weaknesses by content area, which tells you where the 60-day wait should be spent.
The AXP experience areas map one to one onto the six ARE divisions, so the 3,740 hours you log for licensure double as structured exposure to the exam content.
Passed divisions stay valid for the full delivery period of ARE 5.0 and convert into credit under the next version of the exam, so early passes are not wasted if the exam changes.
Exam Format & Structure
Duration
Per division. Practice Management: 2 hr 40 min testing, 30 min break, 3 hr 20 min appointment. Project Management, Programming and Analysis, Construction and Evaluation: 3 hr testing, 30 min break, 3 hr 40 min appointment. Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation: 4 hr 5 min testing, 45 min break, 5 hr appointment. Appointment time includes 10 minutes of introductory and exit screens.
Questions
65 items in Practice Management, 75 in Project Management, Programming and Analysis, and Construction and Evaluation, and 100 in Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation. Each division includes 6 to 9 unscored pretest items, so scored items run 59, 68, and 91 respectively.
Passing Score
NCARB does not publish the cut score. Each division has a cut score representing entry-level competence, set by judgment rather than by a fixed pass percentage, and your total of correctly answered scored items is compared with it. Results are reported as pass or fail. Failing score reports include a scaled score; passing score reports do not.
Question Types
- Multiple choice with three or four response options and one correct answer
- Check-all-that-apply, selecting between two and four correct responses from six options with no partial credit
- Hotspot, clicking an area or object within a drawing, photograph, diagram, or map
- Case study items using all three formats, presented with a scenario and one or two resources
Delivery Method
Computer-based at PSI test centers or through the PSI Proctoring Platform for online delivery. Test center appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance, online-proctored appointments at least 24 hours in advance.
Exam Domains & Topics
Sixty-five items, 13.3 percent of the 490 items across all six divisions, in 2 hours 40 minutes. The division covers running an architecture practice: business structure, financial health, risk and legal exposure, ethics, and standard of care. Its 2025 pass rate of 51 percent was the second lowest of the six, and it has not left the 48 to 53 percent band in any year since 2020.
Key Topics to Master:
- Business Operations, 20 to 26 percent of the division
- Finances, Risk, and Development of Practice, 29 to 35 percent
- Practice-Wide Delivery of Services, 22 to 28 percent
- Practice Methodologies, 17 to 23 percent
- Applying ethical standards and the appropriate standard of care
- Contract types and project delivery methods
- Regulations governing the work environment
Seventy-five items, 15.3 percent of total ARE items, in 3 hours. It covers assembling and managing a project team, work planning and scheduling, the owner-architect, architect-consultant, and owner-contractor agreements, and quality control. Contracts alone account for 25 to 31 percent of the division, so B101 and A201 repay close reading. Its 63 percent pass rate in 2025 was the highest of the six.
Key Topics to Master:
- Resource Management, 7 to 13 percent of the division
- Project Work Planning, 17 to 23 percent
- Contracts, 25 to 31 percent
- Project Execution, 17 to 23 percent
- Project Quality Control, 19 to 25 percent
- Monitoring design against the construction budget
- Managing scope changes and scope creep
- Obtaining approvals from authorities having jurisdiction
Seventy-five items in 3 hours. The division covers what you establish before design: environmental and contextual conditions, applicable codes and regulations, site analysis, and building analysis and programming. Building Analysis and Programming alone is 37 to 43 percent of the division, the most concentrated section anywhere in ARE 5.0.
Key Topics to Master:
- Environmental and Contextual Conditions, 14 to 21 percent of the division
- Codes and Regulations, 16 to 22 percent
- Site Analysis and Programming, 21 to 27 percent
- Building Analysis and Programming, 37 to 43 percent
- Zoning, setbacks, and allowable building area
- Qualitative and quantitative program requirements
- Site access, transit proximity, and neighborhood character
- Evaluating existing buildings against a program
One hundred items, 20.4 percent of total ARE items, in 4 hours 5 minutes with a 45-minute break. It integrates program, code, systems, and cost into a design proposal, and Project Integration of Program and Systems is 32 to 38 percent of the division. Its 48 percent pass rate in 2025 was the lowest of the six divisions.
Key Topics to Master:
- Environmental Conditions and Context, 10 to 16 percent of the division
- Codes and Regulations, 16 to 22 percent
- Building Systems, Materials, and Assemblies, 19 to 25 percent
- Project Integration of Program and Systems, 32 to 38 percent
- Project Costs and Budgeting, 8 to 14 percent
- Structural, mechanical, and envelope system selection
- Egress, occupancy, and fire separation requirements
- Evaluating design alternatives against project parameters
One hundred items in 4 hours 5 minutes. It moves from design intent to buildable documents: integrating materials and systems, producing construction documentation, writing the project manual and specifications, meeting code at the detail level, and estimating construction cost. Integration of Building Materials and Systems and Construction Documentation together make up 63 to 75 percent of the division.
Key Topics to Master:
- Integration of Building Materials and Systems, 31 to 37 percent of the division
- Construction Documentation, 32 to 38 percent
- Project Manual and Specifications, 12 to 18 percent
- Codes and Regulations, 8 to 14 percent
- Construction Cost Estimates, 2 to 8 percent
- Partition types, expansion joints, and assembly detailing
- Applying the International Building Code at detail level
- CSI MasterFormat organization of specifications
Seventy-five items in 3 hours, covering the architect's role from bidding through closeout. Construction Observation and Administrative Procedures and Protocols are each 32 to 38 percent of the division, which makes payment certification, change orders, submittals, and RFIs the core content. Its 61 percent pass rate in 2025 was the second highest.
Key Topics to Master:
- Preconstruction Activities, 17 to 23 percent of the division
- Construction Observation, 32 to 38 percent
- Administrative Procedures and Protocols, 32 to 38 percent
- Project Closeout and Evaluation, 7 to 13 percent
- Bidding procedures, prequalification, and contractor selection
- Submittals, shop drawings, and requests for information
- Change orders (G701) and applications for payment (G702 and G703)
- Certificate of Substantial Completion (G704) and punch lists
Recommended Study Plan
- 1Confirm your NCARB Record is active, the $105 annual fee is paid, and your first and last name match your photo ID exactly
- 2Request exam eligibility through the Exams tab and accept the ARE Candidate Agreement
- 3Read the ARE 5.0 Guidelines in full, especially the division structure table and the exam content section
- 4Take the free 75-item ARE 5.0 Multidivisional Practice Exam to see the software, the three item types, and case study navigation
- 5Book Practice Management, remembering that test center appointments need 48 hours and online-proctored appointments 24 hours of notice
- 1Read The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice chapters on firm structure, financial management, and human resources
- 2Learn the standard financial measures a firm tracks, since Finances, Risk, and Development of Practice is 29 to 35 percent of the division
- 3Study the 2024 AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the NCARB Model Rules of Conduct
- 4Work 40 practice items on standard of care and on regulations governing the work environment
- 1Compare project delivery methods and match each to its AIA agreement family
- 2Download the free AIA contracts available to ARE candidates from the Additional Resources link on your Record's Exams tab
- 3Sit the free ARE 5.0 Practice Exam for Practice Management in test mode, all 65 items in 2 hours 40 minutes
- 4Rework every miss and practice moving to case study items early through the Exam Summary tool
- 1Take the Practice Management division, arriving at the test center 30 minutes early or completing the online check-in on time
- 2Record your provisional feedback immediately after ending the exam, since no printout is provided
- 3Book Project Management for four weeks out and start reading B101-2017 and A201-2017 line by line
- 4Build a one-page comparison of the owner-architect, architect-consultant, and owner-contractor agreements
- 1Study C401-2017 for architect-consultant obligations and how an owner's consultant integrates into the project
- 2Work through project work planning and scheduling content, 17 to 23 percent of the division
- 3Drill items on monitoring design against the construction budget and on handling scope creep
- 4Read the CSI Practice Guide: Project Delivery sections on project roles
- 1Study quality control processes for coordination, constructability, and design integrity, 19 to 25 percent of the division
- 2Sit the free Project Management practice exam, 75 items in 3 hours, in test mode
- 3Practice the check-all-that-apply items specifically, since all correct options must be selected for the point
- 4Review authorities having jurisdiction and the approvals sequence
- 1Take the Project Management division
- 2Book Construction and Evaluation and begin with A701-2018 Instructions to Bidders and the bidding process
- 3Study G702 and G703 payment applications and the architect's certification role
- 4Work items on submittals, shop drawings, and requests for information
- 1Study construction observation duties and the limits of the architect's site responsibilities under A201
- 2Drill change order procedure using G701-2017 and proposal requests using G709-2018
- 3Study substantial completion, G704, punch lists, and closeout documentation
- 4Work 50 mixed items across the four sections of the division
- 1Sit the free Construction and Evaluation practice exam, then take the division
- 2Book Programming and Analysis and start on zoning, allowable area, and setback calculations
- 3Study site analysis: access, transit, topography, and neighborhood character
- 4Practice hotspot items on site plans and zoning diagrams
- 1Concentrate on Building Analysis and Programming, 37 to 43 percent of the division
- 2Work quantitative programming problems: net and gross area, efficiency ratios, and adjacency requirements
- 3Study the 2021 International Building Code sections on occupancy classification and allowable area
- 4Sit the free Programming and Analysis practice exam in test mode
- 1Study structural, mechanical, and envelope system selection against program and site constraints
- 2Work egress, occupancy separation, and fire rating problems using the IBC and the 2010 ADA Standards
- 3Practice project cost and budgeting items, 8 to 14 percent of the division
- 4Sit the free Project Planning and Design practice exam, 100 items in 4 hours 5 minutes, using the full 45-minute break as you plan to on exam day
- 1Study assembly detailing: partition types, expansion joints, waterproofing, and thermal and moisture control
- 2Work construction documentation items, 32 to 38 percent of the division, on drawing organization and annotation
- 3Learn the CSI MasterFormat 2023 divisions and the structure of a project manual
- 4Apply the IBC at detail level on fire-rated assemblies and accessibility clearances
- 5Sit the free Project Development and Documentation practice exam before booking the division
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Best Study Resources
ARE 5.0 Guidelines
Official handbookNCARB merged the old ARE Handbook into this document with the migration to PSI. It carries the division structure table, item type explanations, case study guidance, scoring rules, ID requirements, break policy, the reference guide, and the list of formulas supplied on screen.
Free
ARE 5.0 Practice Exams
Practice examSeven full-length exams: one per division built with the same item counts and objectives as the live version, plus a 75-item multidivisional exam. Test mode simulates a real appointment; practice mode shows the correct response and rationale as you go.
Free with an active NCARB Record
ARE 5.0 Practice Exam PDFs
Practice materialThe same practice exams published as PDF files on NCARB's website, each carrying the item, the correct response, and an item explanation. Case study resources are not reproduced in the PDFs for copyright reasons, so use the PDFs for review and the software version for the case studies. NCARB recommends the PDF form for AXP supervisors and mentors coaching a candidate.
Free
Free AIA contract documents for ARE candidates
Primary referenceA link on the Exams tab of your NCARB Record under Additional Resources gives candidates the AIA contracts most referenced on the exam, including A101, A201, A701, B101, C401, G701, G702, G703, G704, and G709.
Free through your NCARB Record
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice
BookListed by NCARB as a primary reference for Practice Management, Project Management, and Construction and Evaluation. It is the single book with the widest coverage across the practice-side divisions.
Purchase from AIA or John Wiley & Sons
International Building Code (2021) and 2010 ADA Standards
CodesNCARB names the 2021 IBC, ICC A117.1-2017, the ICC family of codes, the NFPA family of codes, and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design as the code references on the exam. You are expected to know concepts and commonly used sections, not to memorize details.
ICC and US Department of Justice pricing; the ADA Standards are free
ARE 5.0 Community
ForumNCARB's own moderated forum for exam questions, study groups, and answers from NCARB staff. Discussion is bounded by the ARE Candidate Agreement, so content questions are answered without disclosing live items.
Free
ARE 5.0 Test Prep Video Series
Video courseNCARB's division-by-division video series covering exam content, sample questions, and suggested references, published as a YouTube playlist.
Free
Test Run for online-proctored exams
System checkA 30-minute trial appointment with PSI that confirms your computer, camera, and testing space meet the online proctoring requirements. Worth doing before your first online-proctored division rather than on exam day.
Free
NCARB fees page
Official price listThe authoritative source for the $263 division fee, the $1,578 six-division total, Record fees, and the rescheduling and cancellation fee structure that changes on October 1, 2026.
Free to read
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Bringing a personal calculator to a division.
Personal calculators are prohibited at PSI test centers and during online-proctored exams, and using one can get your scores canceled. An on-screen calculator is provided, but its history and memory reset every time you move to a new item, so write intermediate values in the on-screen tools instead.
Bringing a military ID as your only identification.
NCARB's accepted list is a driver's license, state issued ID, passport, national ID card, residency card, or green card. Military IDs, student IDs, employee IDs, and expired IDs are refused, and being turned away costs the full test fee with no refund.
Taking a break in the middle of a section you have not finished reviewing.
After a break, every item you have already viewed is locked, including ones you marked for later review. Finish reviewing what you have opened before you click Break, and remember you must navigate to the On Break screen and show it to the proctor first.
Leaving the case studies until the last 30 minutes of the division.
Case study items take longer than standalone items because you must locate information in the resources and then apply it. Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation carry up to 20 case study items each. Use the Exam Summary tool to start the case studies whenever you choose.
Guessing at only some options on a check-all-that-apply item.
There is no partial credit. All correct responses must be selected for the point. The prompt always states in bold how many to check, for example check the two that apply, so read that line before scanning the six options.
Leaving items blank when time runs out.
Unanswered items are counted as incorrect and you lose nothing for a wrong answer. Answer every item, use the strikethrough tool to eliminate options, and mark items for review only if you still have time to return to them.
Booking a retake as soon as the failing report arrives.
You can retake a failed division no sooner than 60 days after the previous attempt, and you may take the same division only three times in any 12-month period. Use the page-two strengths and weaknesses feedback on the failing report to target that 60-day window.
Assuming the ARE runs on a fixed five-year rolling clock for everyone.
NCARB's score validity policy keeps passed ARE 5.0 divisions valid for the whole delivery period of ARE 5.0, but rolling clock requirements are set by individual jurisdictions and passing score reports show a division expiration date five years out. Check whether your jurisdiction has a rolling clock requirement before planning a long schedule.
Skipping the free NCARB practice exams and paying for third-party question banks first.
The seven ARE 5.0 Practice Exams are free with an active Record, use the same software and tools as the real division, and were built with the same process and guidelines. They are the closest available match to the live exam, so take them before you spend money elsewhere.
Exam Day Tips
- 1
Arrive at the PSI test center at least 30 minutes before your appointment. Arriving more than 30 minutes late may forfeit the appointment with no refund of the test fee.
- 2
Everything goes into a PSI locker or storage bag: phone, smartwatch, wallet, keys, notes, food, and drink. Lockers do not hold backpacks, laptops, or large bags, and items that do not fit cannot stay in the test center.
- 3
You will sign the PSI Test Center Candidate Security Agreement before testing. Refusing to sign cancels the exam and forfeits all fees.
- 4
Break time is yours to split. Practice Management, Project Management, Programming and Analysis, and Construction and Evaluation allow 30 minutes; Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation allow 45 minutes. If you exceed it, the exam timer keeps counting down.
- 5
You must stay inside the PSI test center during breaks. Leaving the building may cancel your exam with no refund, and you go through security screening again on the way back in.
- 6
If a formula is needed to answer an item, it is supplied on screen under the Reference Formula subheading, so memorizing the structural formula list matters less than knowing when to apply each one.
- 7
Use the strikethrough tool to eliminate response options and the highlight tool to mark key facts in the stem. Both work on every item type and inside case study scenarios.
- 8
On hotspot items you can click as many times as you like; only the last crosshair is scored, and NCARB states you will never be asked to click a tiny, precise area.
- 9
Provisional feedback appears the instant you click End Exam and Submit, and no printout is given. Read it on screen and note it before you navigate away, because the official score report takes 7 to 10 calendar days.
- 10
For online-proctored delivery your phone becomes a second camera and must stay in position throughout, including during breaks. Moving or using it triggers a QR code prompt to repeat the whole camera setup.
Career Paths & Salary Ranges
Licensed architect
Completing all six ARE divisions plus your jurisdiction's education and experience requirements earns the license that allows you to use the title architect and to seal drawings. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median annual wage for architects at $96,690 in May 2024, with the lowest 10 percent under $60,510 and the highest 10 percent over $159,800.
$96,690 median (BLS, May 2024)
Project architect
Runs a project from design through construction administration, the work sampled by the Project Management and Construction and Evaluation divisions, including contract administration under B101 and A201.
$96,690 median (BLS, May 2024)
Architectural designer or licensure candidate
The pre-license role in which you log the 3,740 AXP hours across the six experience areas. Those areas map one to one onto the ARE divisions, which is why NCARB recommends taking a division while the matching experience is current.
Below the licensed median until licensure; NCARB publishes no salary data
Firm principal or practice leader
Owning or leading a practice draws directly on the Practice Management content: business structure, financial health, risk and legal exposure, and the standard of care. A license is required to offer architectural services to the public.
$96,690 median (BLS, May 2024)
NCARB Certificate holder practicing across jurisdictions
After licensure, the NCARB Certificate supports reciprocal licensure in other US jurisdictions and through mutual recognition arrangements with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The certificate application fee is $1,415 with a $300 annual renewal.
$96,690 median (BLS, May 2024)
Prerequisites & Requirements
- An active NCARB Record. The application fee for licensure candidates is $105 and the annual renewal is $105.
- Exam eligibility granted by a jurisdiction's licensing board, requested through the Exams tab of your NCARB Record. Each jurisdiction sets its own rules, and in most cases testing can begin after you meet the education requirement.
- Acceptance of the ARE Candidate Agreement, which binds you to keep exam content confidential.
- The Architectural Experience Program is required for licensure and runs alongside the exam: 3,740 hours across six experience areas, with about half gained in an architecture firm under a licensed architect (Setting A) and up to 1,860 hours in Setting O.
- Most jurisdictions apply a test activity requirement, so eligibility can expire if you have not attempted a division within a five-year period.
- Testing accommodations must be approved before you schedule an appointment; they cannot be applied retroactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the ARE cost?
Each division costs $263, and all six add up to $1,578. Retakes are also $263 each. Those fees sit on top of NCARB Record costs of $105 to apply and $105 a year to keep the Record active. Score verification of a failed division costs $100, and an exam review through your board costs $300 to NCARB plus any fee the board charges.
How soon can I retake a failed ARE division?
You can retake a failed division 60 days after the previous attempt of that division, and you may take the same division no more than three times in any 12-month period. A new eligibility to test on that division is created automatically after a failure, based on your jurisdiction's rules. Other divisions are unaffected, so you can keep testing while the 60 days run.
What happens if I fail a division?
You receive a failing score report in your NCARB Record within 7 to 10 calendar days. It includes a scaled score, which passing reports do not, and page two identifies areas of relative strength and weakness by content area. You can request a score verification for $100 within 60 days of the test date, which has NCARB staff review your performance on all questions; if the reported score or feedback was inaccurate, the fee is refunded.
What is the passing score for an ARE division?
NCARB does not publish the cut score. Each division has a minimum score representing entry-level competence, and your total points from correctly answered scored items is compared against it. Passing scores are the same for every board of architecture and are not affected by how many candidates pass, so there is no curve and no fixed pass percentage. Your score is based on the whole division, not section by section, so a weak section can be offset elsewhere.
How long do ARE results take?
Provisional, unofficial feedback appears on screen the moment you end the exam, and no printout is provided. The official score report reaches the Exams tab of your NCARB Record within 7 to 10 calendar days, after forensic data analysis is completed, and you receive an email when it is available.
Is there still a five-year rolling clock on the ARE?
It depends on your jurisdiction. NCARB's score validity policy keeps passed ARE 5.0 divisions valid throughout the delivery of ARE 5.0, and credits them toward the corresponding divisions if a new version replaces it. Separately, some jurisdictions impose a rolling clock requirement, and for those candidates the passing score report shows a division expiration date five years after the test date along with the remaining time to finish. NCARB publishes the list of jurisdictions with rolling clock requirements.
What ID do I need for the ARE?
A driver's license, state issued ID, passport, national ID card, residency card, or green card, current and showing both a photo and a signature. Military IDs, student IDs, employee IDs, draft classification cards, credit cards, Social Security cards, and notary letters are not accepted. A temporary driver's license works only when presented with the original it replaced, and only if that original expired no more than 60 days ago. For online proctoring your phone camera must be able to capture and upload the ID clearly.
Can I take the ARE online at home?
Yes. Every division is available through the PSI Proctoring Platform as well as at PSI test centers, and you can mix modes across divisions. Online appointments must be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead, test center appointments at least 48 hours ahead. NCARB offers a free 30-minute Test Run appointment with PSI so you can confirm your computer and space qualify before exam day.
Can I use a calculator or reference materials during the ARE?
You may not bring a personal calculator to a test center or use one during an online-proctored exam; doing so may cancel your scores. An on-screen calculator is provided, and its history and memory reset every time you view a new item. No notes, books, or code references may be brought in. If a formula is required to answer an item, it is provided within the item under a Reference Formula subheading, and case studies come with their own resources.
How does the break work?
Each division includes break time you may use all at once or split: 30 minutes for Practice Management, Project Management, Programming and Analysis, and Construction and Evaluation, and 45 minutes for Project Planning and Design and Project Development and Documentation. Navigate to the On Break screen and have the proctor confirm it before leaving. Items you have already viewed lock when you return, and any break time beyond your allowance runs down the exam clock. At a test center you must stay in the building.
Are accommodations available for the ARE?
Yes, through two routes. ADA accommodations for documented disabilities or temporary medical conditions, including pregnancy and breastfeeding, commonly include additional break time, extended testing time of up to 50 percent longer, and testing in a separate room. Separately, ESL candidates can receive 20 percent additional testing time per division plus a personally supplied printed word-to-word translation dictionary with no added markings, which is inspected by staff and is available only at test centers. All accommodations must be approved before you schedule.
In what order should I take the six divisions?
NCARB places no restriction on order or sequence, and you pay for and schedule each division separately. Many candidates group the practice-side divisions, Practice Management, Project Management, and Construction and Evaluation, because they share The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice and the AIA contracts as references, then take the technical trio of Programming and Analysis, Project Planning and Design, and Project Development and Documentation, which share the IBC and ADA Standards.
How hard is the ARE?
NCARB reported an overall 2025 pass rate of 55 percent from 17,747 candidates testing, the same overall figure as 2024. By division in 2025 the rates were 51 percent for Practice Management, 63 percent for Project Management, 59 percent for Programming and Analysis, 48 percent for Project Planning and Design, 54 percent for Project Development and Documentation, and 61 percent for Construction and Evaluation. Those figures include both first-time and repeat attempts.
What are pretest items and do they count?
Every division includes 6 to 9 pretest items scattered at random that do not count toward your score. That is why Practice Management has 65 total items but 59 scored, and the 100-item divisions have 91 scored. Pretest items are not identifiable, so treat every item as scored.
Can I reschedule or cancel a division?
Yes, up to 48 hours before an in-person appointment and 24 hours before an online-proctored one. Through September 30, 2026 the first reschedule of an appointment is free, the second costs $53, and the third and later cost $105 each, while canceling and keeping the seat credit costs $105. From October 1, 2026 reschedules are capped at three per seat and priced by notice: free at 31 or more days out, $75 at 15 to 30 days, $150 at 7 to 14 days, cancellation at $200 with seven or more days notice, and no reschedules or cancellations inside seven days. Unused seat credits expire one year after purchase.
Do I need to finish the AXP before taking the ARE?
Not necessarily. Each jurisdiction sets its own rule for when you become eligible to test, and in most cases you can begin after meeting the education requirement rather than after completing all 3,740 AXP hours. Because the six AXP experience areas map directly onto the six ARE divisions, many candidates take a division while doing the matching work.
How does the ARE compare with the FE and PE exams for engineers?
Both are US licensure paths run by national councils, but the structures differ. The ARE is six separately scheduled divisions totaling 490 items and 19 hours 50 minutes of testing, delivered by PSI, with case studies and on-screen resources. The engineering path is two exams delivered by NCEES at Pearson test centers: the FE at $225 for 110 questions and then a discipline-specific PE exam after several years of experience. Architects also complete the AXP, while engineers complete a period of qualifying experience defined by their state board.
What if I think a question was flawed?
Write to NCARB after the test with the division name, the test date, and your specific concern. You are not allowed to copy the question or reproduce it, and NCARB will not reveal the correct answer, but it will review the item and notify you of the findings. Broader concerns about the test administration must reach NCARB in writing within 15 days of your test date, and a report filed by the test center administrator does not count as notifying NCARB.
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