On November 18, NCARB will implement several changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®), including updating each of the six experience area descriptions, launching a new experience reporting policy, and expanding opportunities to gain experience through professional development courses. NCARB experts recently led a webinar to explain all the changes and respond to questions from licensure candidates and architects.  
 
Here are answers to some of the top questions we’ve received.  

What is the “why” behind these changes? And how do they relate to the new Competency Standard for Architects?  

NCARB is currently working to reimagine the path to licensure to ensure greater flexibility and accessibility for licensure candidates of all backgrounds. To do so, it is essential that our programs share a core expectation of what competency looks like at the point of initial licensure. With the Competency Standard as the framework, the upcoming AXP changes help align the program with the established competencies, as well as address common administrative impediments faced by candidates on the path to licensure.  

Will I lose any AXP credit as a result of these changes? 

No, you will not lose any AXP credit as a result of the changes. Many candidates will receive additional credit! 

Will the AXP’s format or number of required hours change? 

No, the structure of the AXP will remain the same, including the six experience areas and the requirement to gain and document 3,740 hours of experience. You can review all the updated information and policies in the upcoming edition of the AXP Guidelines, effective on November 18, 2025. 

How can I tell what experience hours will be worth more credit after the new reporting policy goes into effect? 

Over the coming months, NCARB will share personalized emails with you outlining what your new AXP credit totals will be once this change goes into effect. In the meantime, use the following information as a guide:  

  • If you have previously approved experience that was older than one year at the time of submission that qualified for 50% credit, your 50% credit hours will be automatically updated to 75% credit after November 18, 2025.  
  • If you have previously approved experience that was older than eight months but less than one year old at the time of submission, and none of the experience on that report was older than 12 months at the time of submission, your 50% credit hours will be automatically updated to 100% credit as of November 18, 2025.  
  • If you have an approved experience report where some of the hours reported were older than eight months but less than one year old and some of the hours reported were more than one year old, your submission will be automatically updated to proportionally provide 75% credit and 100% credit as appropriate after November 18, 2025. 

Learn more about the new reporting requirement. 

Should I submit hours now or wait until November 18, 2025? 

This is entirely up to you! We always recommend reporting experience early and often so that both you and your supervisor are more familiar with your work. The exception is if you have experience that is older than five years, which is not accepted under the current policy. To submit experience that is older than five years, please wait until the new policy goes into effect on November 18, 2025.  

What is the continuing education (CE) credit opportunity under setting O, and how is it changing? 

By taking self-directed CE courses that qualify for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit, you can earn up to 20 hours per experience area in setting O. Under the current policy, only AIA-approved CE courses are eligible for this opportunity, and you must upload your AIA transcript confirming you completed the course to receive credit (one AIA learning unit earns you one AXP hour). This limits access to this experience opportunity to candidates who maintain AIA membership.   

Under the updated requirements, NCARB will accept HSW CE courses by AIA, as well as professional development courses by other organizations (these organizations must be pre-approved by NCARB). This will expand access to non-AIA members who complete courses through these approved organizations. More information about approved organizations and required documentation will be provided this fall. 

Will bulk reporting periods change to allow more than six months at a time? 

Yes! Starting November 18, 2025, you will be able to submit bulk reports spanning up to 12 months from when you last earned experience. For experience older than one year, you will be able to submit bulk reports with no limit on the time frame contained in the report.  

Will portfolio requirements change to competencies? 

No—AXP Portfolio applicants will still need to associate exhibits with the current AXP’s 96 tasks. 

When will NCARB release more information about future exam changes?  

NCARB expects to launch minor updates to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) in April 2026. The changes will focus on minor adjustments to a small subset of the exam objectives outlined in the ARE Guidelines to align them with the Competency Standard. NCARB will also make formatting changes to the exam’s case studies to improve the testing experience. More information about these changes will be available in fall 2025.  

Still have questions? Contact us.