ARE Prep & Licensure

The ARE Lending Library

Curious about the materials we have available? Visit our ARE Lending Library page for a detailed list of study and supplementary materials you can access.

About Architect Licensure

The Architect Registration Exams

The Architect Registration Examination® (ARE) is a series of exams, which are required to practice as an architect, that assess candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide architecture services. Each state has their own prerequisites for a licensure application to be approved, which can be better explained under three headings: education, experience, and examination.

Preparing for the ARE

The exam covers six practice areas: practice management, project management, programming and analysis, project planning and design, project development and documentation, and construction evaluation—preparing you for professional practice in the US. The BSA is committed to providing support and resources for those studying for the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE).

Architectural Experience Program® (AXP™)

The AXP identifies 96 tasks that are essential for competent practice as an architect. There are two methods of demonstrating competent performance of AXP tasks: reporting hours or submitting a portfolio. At least half of the experience is completed under the supervision of a qualified architect. Experience should be reported within 8-months; experience documented within 5-years but after 8-months will only count 50%. The AXP Handbook is an essential resource.