Everything You Need to Know About NCARB & AXP
Something a lot of students aren't guided on in their academic or professional career is NCARB & AXP direction, I definitely wasn't!
Whether you're just starting out, in school, working in the profession, or on the path to licensure, you're not alone!
Here is everything you need to know as a student or recent grad for NCARB & AXP coming from a recent M.Arch Grad!
What is NCARB?
NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) regulates the practice of architecture standards for licensure and credential- ing of architects. It's the regulation board for the architecture profession & architects! But there are so many things related to school that we should know & we aren't guided on! I figured this out by researching early on in my career. This is an incredibly important piece to the profession that I wish I would have had guidance on!
What is AXP?
On a path to licensure, candidates are required to have a total of 3,740 hours within 6 different areas that relate to the ARE. It sounds like a LOT! But working full time these hours can add up quickly! AXP is designed to help you keep track of your hours for approval. Hours have to be approved by a supervisor who is a licensed architect.
What is the ARE?
The ARE (Architect Registration Exam) is a 6 division exam to test different areas within Architecture. The areas include:
Practice Management
Project Management
Program & Analysis
Project Planning & Design
Project Development & Documentation
Construction & Evaluation
There are amazing resources on where to start studying for these exams! My go-to ARE resource has been Bryn Young from Young Design. She offers great exam prep & methods! Some great study prep includes PPI, Amber Book, & Black Spectacles!
NCARB Record
An NCARB Record helps keep track of your path towards licensure. You should create your NCARB account AS SOON as you start accruing AXP hours! This way you can start accruing AXP hours & making sure you're taking the proper steps towards your license!
$100 to start
$85 annually
A required internship for school counts towards your hours for AXP! My biggest tip in relation to an NCARB Record is to document your hours in the professional work setting as often as you can!
Licensure
There are 3 integral components to a path towards licensure in relation to NCARB & AXP.
Education
Experience
Exams
Education
If you are just looking into architecture school or are early in your journey, you may not be familiar with accredited universities!
Apply to schools that have an accredited undergraduate or graduate architecture program. Undergraduate accredited degrees are typically 5 years. Accredited Masters degrees (M.Arch) are an additional 2-3 years on top of your un-accredited undergraduate degree
What does accredited mean? Accredited institutions have the required certifications to meet NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards).
For example, my undergraduate degree was NOT accredited, so I had to find a 2 year masters program that was accredited by NCARB. My total journey took me 7 years!
It’s important to document your transcripts within your NCARB record so you can complete necessary requirements for your license exams. This is set up through your NCARB Record.
Experience
3,740 hours are required my AXP for licensure. It sounds like a LOT! But working full time these hours can add up quickly!
Hours are split into the 6 categories related to the ARE:
Practice Management 160
Project Management 360
Program & Analysis 260
Project Planning & Design 1,080
Project Development & Documentation 1,520
Construction & Evaluation 360
There are also opportunities other than work experience to accrue hours, such as design competitions & continued education experience offered through NCARB.
Im currently on the path to licensure so I've started studying for the exams & I'll take you with me! Whether you're just starting out, in school, working in the profession, or on the path to licensure, you're not alone!
This was everything you need to know as a student or recent grad for NCARB & AXP coming from a recent M.Arch Grad!
NCARB Necessary Reads:
AXP Guidelines
The AXP Guidelines are a general breakdown of the AXP, setting up a record, & each required area
Licensing Requirements by State
The NCARB Licensing Requirements tool is a great resource! Every state's licensing requirements vary! For example, the state I'm located in requires an accredited degree, whereas other states do not. Another example, is my state allows me to take exams prior to completion of AXP hours.
Look at the state you plan to get your initial license & make sure to meet & are aware of those requirements to save yourself time, effort & possibly money!
EmbArc is a community of architecture & design students empowering each other to reach our fullest potential!
I'm building a community of architecture & design students where my #1 goal is to be a resource on self development, offer guidance on pursuing Architecture, and give any tips & advice to anyone thinking about or currently studying architecture.
