We know you have questions about Pathways to Practice and NCARB's new Competency Standard for Architects. Here are answers to common questions we've received:
Why does the current licensure process need to change?
Competency expectations need to reflect the realities of current practice and establish an appropriate level of rigor necessary for a newly licensed individual to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. NCARB aims to provide pathways that maintain that rigor with the goals of reducing the social and financial impediments attached to a single path and improving access to the profession for traditionally underrepresented groups.
Why create the Competency Standard?
As NCARB works to envision the future of licensure—including the possibility of multiple pathways to licensure—it is essential that our programs share a core expectation of what competency looks like at the point of initial licensure. The NCARB Competency Standard for Architects provides that foundation and lays the groundwork for a flexible, accessible path to licensure.
How did NCARB develop the new Competency Standard?
The NCARB Competency Standard for Architects was developed through multiple rounds of research, including input from thousands of practicing architects. Learn more.
When will changes to the AXP and ARE launch?
NCARB anticipates launching the changes to the AXP in early 2026, and the changes to the ARE in summer 2026. We’ll provide more details around the expected launch timeline in early 2025, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletters to receive the latest information.
When will we know what exactly is changing for the AXP and ARE?
NCARB will release detailed information about the changes to the AXP and ARE at least six months prior to each program update’s launch.
Will candidates lose ARE 5.0 credits that transferred from ARE 4.0 as part of this update?
No, ARE 4.0 credits that transitioned to ARE 5.0 will not be impacted by the 2026 updates to the ARE. Candidates will retain all their current exam credits after this update.
Will candidates’ AXP hours change as part of this update?
No, the AXP’s reporting requirements, including the experience areas and required hours, will not change as part of the 2026 updates to the AXP. Candidates will retain all their current AXP credit after this update.
Is NCARB planning to change programs beyond the upcoming AXP and ARE updates?
Yes—NCARB is hoping to reimagine the path to licensure to ensure greater flexibility and accessibility. NCARB’s Licensure Process Research & Development Task Force will use the competencies defined in the Competency Standard to envision new 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). These changes would not be announced until 2027 at the earliest.
Will NCARB remove NAAB-accredited degrees from the future licensure paths?
NCARB continues to view accredited education as a viable way to learn about the profession and the health, safety, and welfare responsibilities of licensed architects. It is a requirement in a majority of U.S. jurisdictions and is the most frequently used pathway to gaining a license today—and will likely remain so far into the future. Currently, 85% of new architects who achieve licensure have a degree from a NAAB-accredited program.
However, NCARB asserts that for the profession to be accessible for individuals of all backgrounds, licensure options should be flexible, diversified, and obtainable. The Pathways to Practice initiative is about envisioning and developing a more flexible and accessible licensure process.
How does creating additional pathways to licensure protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public?
NCARB’s goal is to maintain “rigor for a reason,” holding candidates to the same level of competency while providing multiple methods to demonstrate that competency. Currently, 17 licensing jurisdictions provide additional pathways to initial licensure that don’t require a degree from a NAAB-accredited program. These additional licensure options have been available for decades, demonstrating that it is possible to provide additional pathways without risking the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
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