The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has announced a complete overhaul of its Architect Registration Examination (ARE). ARE 5.0 will debut in late 2016, according to Michael Armstrong, NCARB Chief Executive Officer.

The exam, which will remain in electronic format as it has since 1997, will contain six divisions instead of the current seven. They are Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, and Construction & Evaluation.

This new structure, according to Armstrong, will more accurately reflect the phases of architectural practice. ARE 5.0 will incorporate graphics throughout via new case studies, which will mimic typical architectural design scenarios. The incorporation of case studies will allow more in-depth analysis of architectural scenarios. The exam will utilize completely new graphic tools, which will replace the old CAD-based vignette tool.

The revised structure is being developed with input from architects and educators from across the country as well as NCARB staff and consultants. Also under review is the current six-month waiting period for retaking failed divisions of the exam. The 2016 roll out will occur after beta testing of the software and exam is complete.

Armstrong also announced a major streamlining of NCARB’s Intern Development Program (IDP). The current version of IDP contains duplicative and underutilized elements and has been considered by many interns as unnecessarily complex. Revisions to the IDP are under development by NCARB staff as well as representatives from the AIA, ACSA, AIAS, interns, and current practitioners. A 12-architect panel is currently reviewing the IDP and will submit it for public comments in June 2014.