Continuing Education » Architecture Registration Exam (ARE)

Architectural Registration Examination (ARE)

Once you have completed your education and your IDP, you can sit for the exam. On this page you can find:

ARE Information on the NCARB Website

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) administers the ARE. Their website has all the information you need to prepare for the exam. Some of the things you can find on their site include:

* ARE Overview
* ARE Guidelines (PDF)
* Divisions of the Exam
* Transitioning to ARE 4.0
* Exam Practice Software to download
* Applying for Examination
* Transmitting your IDP Council Record to your state board
* Test Fees
* Test Center Locations
* ARE Pass Rates
* ARE Frequently Asked Questions
* Latest NCARB News Clips (check often for changes)

Steps to Become Registered as an Architect in Minnesota

The Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geosciece and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) licenses architects after completion of IDP and ARE.

  • Request Transmittal of IDP Council Record

      To become registered as an architect in Minnesota, you must have a professional degree from an accredited school and complete IDP. The MN Registration Board accepts NCARB's IDP Council Record for licensure in MN. 90 days prior to completing IDP, request that your NCARB IDP Council Record be sent to your state board.

  • Minnesota License Application
      Complete the state License Application and pay the $75 fee. After review, you will be sent an "Authorization to Test." See ARE Guidelines, Step 1- Verifying Your Information, for more details. Your test scores for each division will be sent directly to your state board, who will then notify you.


ARE Contacts

 


ARE Scholarships

The AIA Minnesota Emerging Professionals Committee, with support from the IDP committee, coordinates the distribution of two scholarships for completing and passing all sections of the Architectural Registration Exam. The Spring 2009 ARE Scholarship winner is James Lindborg with Tanek and the Fall/Winter winner is David Wilson, Assoc. AIA.
Read David's essay (PDF)


Eligibility

  • By the time of application, the applicant must be an AIA Minnesota Associate member.
  • Eligible applicants may have begun the test taking process but will be asked to note their current status of taking the exam.
  • The applicant's employer does not reimburse employees for test fees.

 

How to Apply
Now taking applications for Spring 2010!
Details are outlined in the Call for Applications. Complete the Scholarship Application Form, including a 300-word or less response to the Application Essay by June 4, 2010. Send Scholarship Application and Application Essay to Deanna Christiansen, AIA Minnesota, 275 Market Street, Suite 54, Minneapolis, MN 55405; by email or fax 612-338-7981.


ARE Review Courses and Study Materials

ARE Seminars

The AIA Minnesota IDP committee organizes seminars to help interns prepare for the ARE. The committee has transitioned AIA Minnesota's reviews to reflect the 4.0 version of the exam.

2009 fall ARE Reviews

  • Construction Documents & Services, September 15 and 17, 2009, 6:30 to 9:30p.m. at The Dorsey Ewald Conference Center

  • Building Systems, October 8, 15, 22, 2009, 6:30 to 9:30p.m. at The Dorsey Ewald Conference Center

    Register for these two programs listed above at:
    www.aia-mn.org/int_continuing-ed/opportunities.cfm

  • Programming, Planning & Practice, November 13, 2009, 8:30a.m. to 11:45a.m. at The Minneapolis Convention Center in conjunction with the AIA Minnesota Convention.

    Register for this review when you register for the AIA Minnesota Convention.

For details and register visit the Continuing Education Opportunities page.

 

ARE Lending Library

AIA Minnesota has established a lending library of study materials from Kaplan Architecture and Professional Publications, Inc. that cover all sections of the exam. The materials are available to AIA Associate members only and can be checked out of the office for a period of 14 days. The lending library is free. For details, read the ARE Lending Library Policies and contact Deanna Christiansen to confirm availability.

Additionally, the AIA Northern MN Chapter has a lending library of ARE review materials. If you are an AIA Northern Chapter member and would like more information on the materials available, contact Melissa Graftaas.

Contact Deanna Christiansen with questions about AIA Minnesota’s ARE review courses and study materials.



Other ARE Study Resources

NCARB Study Guides

The NCARB study guides come in 2 volumes, purchased separately. The Multiple-Choice Divisions volume contains approximately 30 sample exam questions, with answers, for each division.

The Graphics Divisions volume contains sample passing and failing solutions for the vignettes included on the practice program for the ARE graphics divisions. The practice program is free and downloadable from the NCARB website (but has no solutions).

To order these two volumes on the NCARB website, go to Publications on the Site Map, and click on ARE Study Guides, then click on Order Form to the right

Kaplan (previously ALS)

Well-known study guides for all sections of the Architectural Registration Exam.

Professional Publications, Inc.
Order study guides and get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the ARE.

David Kent Ballast

The quintessential ARE study guides are available at many bookstores, including Prairie Avenue Bookstore and Professional Publications. Many public libraries also carry his books.

ARE-Solutions, the late Professor Norman K. Dorf
Guide books, home study courses, and workshops

Archiflash
A great set of flash cards that cover all 9 divisions of the exam.

Prairie Avenue Bookstore
A great bookstore in Chicago that carries only architecture books. Order on-line or get a catalog.

Arcade Publishers
Arcade Publishers, P.O. Box 5487, Hercules, CA 94547 510-799-3046
Mock design vignette exams, self-study guide, workbook, and seminars

ARE Forums
A free service web site developed in April 2004 with the goal to become a
top online destination for all ARE candidates.