emerging professionals

Pass the ARE & Get Licensed

The Architect Registration Examination (ARE), administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, assesses your knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the services required in the practice of architecture. AIA Long Beach / South Bay is here to help you cross the finish line.

The ARE 5.0

ARE 5.0 consists of six divisions that can be taken in any sequence. Exams include a combination of multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, and drag-and-place questions, as well as case studies.

For the go-to resource on the exam, download NCARB’s ARE 5.0 Guidelines.

Prepare for the ARE at ncarb.org

Practice Management

Division 1

Project Management

Division 2

Programming & Analysis

Division 3

Project Planning & Design

Division 4

Project Development & Documentation

Division 5

Construction & Evaluation

Division 6

California

The California Supplemental Examination

To get licensed in California, the California Architects Board requires the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) in addition to the ARE. The CSE ensures that candidates can demonstrate the competency, architectural knowledge, and skills to respond to the unique requirements and conditions of practicing in California.

CSE candidate guide

Eligibility, scheduling, and test-plan details straight from the Board.

California Architects Board

California Architects Board

Licensing requirements, forms, and candidate resources.

cab.ca.gov
STUDY RESOURCES

Don’t Study Alone

Licensure is a long road — let’s traverse it together.

ARE/CSE California Study Hub

Join the AIA California Academy of Emerging Professionals for free study sessions, bi-weekly on Mondays at 6 PM. Each session is hosted by a different professional, and exam divisions change every two months.

Free Bi-weekly Mondays • 6 PM

Study Hub Slack group

Join the network to find study partners and other programs supporting your path to licensure.

aiacaarestudyhub.slack.com

PrepARE by AIA East Bay

All Access Passes, division bundles, and individual courses developed by AIA East Bay.

prepare.thinkific.com

NCARB exam prep

Exam guides, practice tests, a demonstration exam, and video prep in the Prepare for the ARE 5.0 section of the NCARB website.

ncarb.org

More support from AIA

AIA National and AIA California provide a number of resources for emerging professionals — as well as the firms that support them.

AIA LBSB A.R.E. Scholarship

Four $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year to help Associate members offset the costs of becoming a licensed architect in California.

Scholarship Page

Academy of Emerging Professionals (AEP)

The collective voice and source for information and support regarding career development for emerging professionals in the early stages of their architectural career.

AIA California

Center for Emerging Professionals (CEP)

Licensing, testing, job prospects, leadership, and entrepreneurial resources for architecture students, recent graduates, and newly licensed architects.

AIA National

Emerge by AIAU

Online video-based HSW courses on economics, ethics, sustainability, and more — knowledge that isn’t always available at firms. Free for AIA Associate members.

Free for Associate members

Young Architects Forum

Leadership, mentorship, and fellowship resources for recently licensed architects launching their careers.

AIA National member group

You don’t have to do this alone

Join AIA Long Beach / South Bay and plug into a community of architects who’ve been exactly where you are.

Join AIA LBSB