2016 Edition, Issue 2


NCARB Fee Changes

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), as part of a profession-wide push to retire the term "intern," renamed its Intern Development Program to Architectural Experience Program (AXP). NCARB also implemented the last phase of its two-part alignment/streamline initiative. Now AXP requires candidates to document 3,740 hours in 6 simplified areas that cover all phases of architectural practice rather than the former 17 experience areas. NCARB also overhauled the experience settings and eliminated Setting S with the release of the new AXP Guidelines.

With the changes mentioned above, NCARB will also be revising the fee structure for some of its key programs. NCARB has stated that the simplified fee structure is the result of improved processes and its Board of Directors’ desire to make the path to licensure more accessible.

Architectural Experience Program (AXP)

Candidates currently pay $350 for the first three years when they establish an NCARB Record followed by a $75 annual record maintenance fee. Those who establish a new record on or after June 29, 2016, will pay $100 for the first year and $85 per year for renewal. The result is a $60 savings over a five-year period between the current fee structure and the new one.

NCARB will honor the current payment plan for candidates who already paid the $350 application fee and will not charge the new annual renewal fee until the three-year plan expires. If only the first installment was paid on the plan (an option available for students and recent graduates), the remaining balance will be waived and the new annual renewal fee will be applied on a yearly basis.

Architect Registration Examination (ARE) 5.0

When ARE 5.0 launches later this year, its per-division cost will be $210, which is the current price for ARE 4.0 divisions. NCARB has stated that the per-division cost for ARE 5.0 will remain at this price point until ARE 4.0 retires in July 2018. At that time, the per-division cost for ARE 5.0 will increase to $235.

Beginning in late-2016, for candidates who take the ARE at Prometric test centers in London, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong, the ARE 4.0 per-division cost will decrease to $210 from $310.

The Board encourages candidates to strategically plan their respective ARE testing. A strategic approach may optimally result in candidates completing the ARE by taking only five divisions through a combination of ARE 4.0 and ARE 5.0 testing. Consult NCARB’s ARE 5.0 Transition Plan for more information regarding the transition from ARE 4.0 to ARE 5.0.

NCARB Certificate

Beginning on June 29, 2016, the application fee for an NCARB Certificate will be reduced from $1,500 to $1,100.