NCARB is excited to share the new Competency Standard for Architects! As we work to envision the future of licensure, our goal is to expand licensure access to individuals of all backgrounds by creating a more flexible licensure model. By defining the expectations for what competency looks like at the point of initial licensure, the Competency Standard will serve as the foundation for current and future licensure programs.
What is the Competency Standard?
Developed with input from thousands of practicing architects, the NCARB Competency Standard defines the level of knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to demonstrate competency at the point of initial licensure as an architect.
It establishes 16 knowledge areas, skills, abilities, and behaviors—called competencies—that describe the capabilities necessary for a newly licensed individual to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare as a practicing architect.
What does the Competency Standard mean for you?
Over the next two years, NCARB will use the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects to develop and implement updates to its programs and services, including the Architectural Experience Program (AXP®) and Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). Updates will focus on aligning the AXP and ARE with the competencies defined in the Competency Standard. The changes will likely include clarifying the descriptions of the AXP’s six experience areas and updating some of the ARE’s test objectives. However, the updates will not include changes to the AXP’s experience area structure or hours requirements, and they will not include changes to the ARE’s divisional structure or length.
When will these updates happen?
There will be no changes to the AXP or the ARE's content for the next 12 months. NCARB anticipates making updates to the AXP in early 2026 and updates to the ARE in summer 2026. More details on the expected launch timeline will be provided in early 2025, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletters to receive the latest information.
The next iteration of NCARB’s licensure process is still in development—we don’t expect to launch new programs until 2028 at the earliest.
Currently working on the AXP and/or ARE? Don’t worry.
The updates to the AXP and ARE won’t affect the current AXP experience areas or ARE divisions, and you’ll retain full credit for all your existing AXP and ARE progress. If you have ARE 5.0 credits from passed ARE 4.0 divisions, those credits will not be impacted by the 2026 updates.
Where can you find more information?
For more information about the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects, including how these changes fit within our ongoing Pathways to Practice initiative, visit www.ncarb.org/pathways.
Questions about the Competency Standard? Join our staff experts for a live webinar at 3:30 p.m. (ET) on October 25. During the webinar, we’ll review the new Competency Standard and answer your questions about the upcoming program updates. Register now.
