The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is the only one of the many requirements of becoming an architect that is consistent in all states. It is a standardized comprehensive seven-part test that evaluates all of the skills needed to be competent in the practice of architecture.

The ARE is used by all 54 architectural licensing jurisdictions in the United States and its territories, as well as the Canadian provincial architectural associations. It is written and maintained by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) with input from the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils, and is offered year-round at computer centers throughout the United States, its territories, and Canada.

Candidates must first contact their local NCARB registration board to determine eligibility requirements, which can vary from state to state. Most states require at least a professional degree from an architecture school with an accredited program and completion of the Intern Development Program, although some jurisdictions allow a student to take the exam before they have completed internship requirements. Some states will also allow a student without a professional degree but with more work experience to take the test. After complying with all eligibility requirements and being approved by the registration board, the candidate may begin taking the test.

The previous 3.1 version of the ARE consisted of nine divisions. NCARB launched the current 4.0 version of the test in July 2008. The current version features a reduction of the number of divisions to seven by combining the graphic and multiple-choice content, condensing subject matter, and placing more emphasis on problem-solving skills that architects use in day-to-day practice.

Candidates who passed all nine divisions of the 3.1 version of ARE by June 2009 are exempt from taking the 4.0. Candidates who had not yet passed all nine divisions of the earlier version by that date were automatically transitioned to the current version.

The seven divisions of ARE 4.0, which may be taken in any order, are:

• Programming, Planning & Practice (85 multiple-choice questions and one site zoning vignette)
• Site Planning & Design (65 multiple-choice questions and two vignettes: site grading and site design)
• Building Design & Construction Systems (85 multiple-choice questions and three vignettes in accessibility, roof plan, and stair design)
• Schematic Design (two vignettes in building layout and interior layout)
• Structural Systems (125 multiple-choice questions and one structural layout vignette)
• Building Systems (95 multiple-choice questions and one mechanical and electrical plan vignette)
• Construction Documentation & Services (100 multiple-choice questions and one building section vignette)

Each ARE division is custom prepared for each individual candidate, so that no candidate is taking exactly the same test. The multiple-choice questions are chosen randomly from a master pool of selected items. All content of ARE exams is protected under federal copyright laws. Any disclosure of ARE content is prohibited and is subject to disciplinary action by the NCARB Board of Directors and by state boards.
Students must pass all seven divisions of the ARE within five years in order to be eligible for a license. Pass rates for ARE 4.0 ranged from 56% to 71% per division in 2009, according to NCARB. Students who fail a division must wait six months before retaking that portion of the exam.