UPDATED 6/14/06

              REGISTRATION BY EXAMINATION

Candidates who wish to become registered by examination must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of a professional degree in architecture from a college or university program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB);

• Enrollment in the Intern Development Program (IDP) two years prior to eligibility for registration; and

• Completion of the Intern Development Program; and

• Pass all parts of the Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E).

Applicants must choose one of the following options for pursuing registration by examination:

1. Six Months’ Experience Option

The Board recently amended its regulations to allow a candidate to begin taking the A.R.E. if he/she has completed a professional degree from an architectural education program accredited by NAAB and has completed six months of experience under the direct supervision of a registered architect.

It is important to note that all registration requirements must be completed before the candidate can be registered as an architect, even if all parts of the A.R.E have been passed. This means that in addition to the educational requirement, the candidate must complete the Intern Development Program requirement and submit his/her completed NCARB IDP file to the Board before he/she can be registered as an architect.

There are two important factors that should be evaluated prior to making the decision to begin testing under this provision:

• Effective January 1, 2006, all candidates for the A.R.E. must pass the nine-division exam within five years. The five-year period shall commence on the date when the first passed division is administered.

• Due to differing state requirements, it is possible that beginning the exam prior to completion of the IDP may affect opportunities for reciprocal registration in other states.

To apply, submit the A.R.E. Six Months Application, the $10 application fee (payable to Alabama Board of Architects), and other required documentation.

2. Regular Option

Applicants who apply under this option must have completed all IDP requirements prior to submitting an Application for Examination.

To apply, submit the Application for Examination, the $10 application fee (payable to the Alabama Board of Architects), and contact NCARB to have the completed IDP council record forwarded to the Alabama Board. Upon receipt of the application, fee, and IDP record, Board staff will determine if the applicant is eligible for the A.R.E.

Reasonable Accommodations

The Board and NCARB have a procedure for granting reasonable testing accommodations to candidates with qualifying disabilities as outlined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates who may need extra testing time or other accommodations during the examination may be granted additional testing time, additional rest periods, separate testing facilities, and to a limited extent, special testing equipment.

Candidates with disabilities who plan to seek reasonable testing accommodations should contact the Board office at the time they initially apply for eligibility to take the A.R.E. The Board will forward forms that must be completed by the applicant. NCARB must also review your accommodation request and supporting documentation after it has been reviewed by the Board. When approved by NCARB, the applicant will be notified as soon as possible regarding approval of reasonable accommodations.

For more information and to request the forms, please contact Cindy McKim at Cindy.McKim@boa.alabama.gov or (334) 242-4179.

Additional Candidate Information

A comprehensive overview of the A.R.E., practice software, a listing of test centers, and other useful information can be found on the A.R.E. page of the NCARB website.

The A.R.E. is administered by a network of Sylvan Learning Centers throughout the United States and Canada. The test vendor will forward an Authorization to Test (ATT) and scheduling information directly to the candidate. Board staff members cannot schedule or cancel appointments.

All candidates for the A.R.E. should become familiar with the NCARB “rolling clock” provisions that became effective January 1, 2006.

Examination scores are not released over the telephone.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to notify the Board of any change in his/her mailing address as soon as it occurs. Address changes submitted to a test center must also be submitted to the Board in order to update the candidate’s examination records. Please use the Board’s on-line change of address form to ensure we have your correct address.


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