Attendees of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) annual meeting on June 25 passed a resolution to allow Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) candidates to take portions of the exam concurrently with IDP (Intern Development Program). The measure passed by a vote of 45–6.

Prior to final passage, the measure was amended to clarify the resolution’s intent. The amendment, which was approved 42–8, added the following paragraph to the end of the resolution:

“Further Resolved, That the Council endorses the NCARB Board of Director’s policy position on ARE timing adopted in February 2006 and published as appendix F in the 2006 Pre-Annual Meeting and Conference Report, requests the Board to prepare implementation details of such policy and bring forward at the 2007 Annual Meeting and Conference a resolution implementing such policy; and that the above-noted change to the model law not take effect until such implementing resolution is adopted by the Council.”

This change brings NCARB significantly closer to the AIA’s position statement on ARE Timing. The AIA will continue to work with NCARB to implement NCARB’s policy position statement and to pursue broadening the NCARB position to fully align with AIA policy. “The NCARB position on this issue is not as progressive as the AIA's position, but we recognize this as a crucial first step in allowing interns to pair their experience and ongoing education more directly with the demands of examination, said AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA. “By linking the ARE with IDP, as allowed already in 9/55 jurisdictions, interns will build recognition of the relevance of both and will be likewise encouraged toward the fulfillment of their personal and professional goals of licensure.”

AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Chris McEntee applauded the vote. “This is a very important step forward that recognizes the quality of students graduating with degrees and architecture and the need for the profession to embrace its future talent early in their careers.”

Also during the meeting, representatives of the Alabama Board of Architectural Examiners announced that they had recently adopted a policy on ARE timing that will allow NAAB degree holders to take any section of the ARE six months after graduation. This is identical to the policy currently in effect in the State of Texas. With Alabama, there are now nine U.S. jurisdictions that allow non-sequential taking of the ARE. Several other state boards are currently considering the issue and are expected to change policy to allow early taking.

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