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Take the ARE - NAAB Accredited Program/Pre-Professional Degree

Who should apply for an initial license?

  • An applicant who has never been licensed as an architect by another State Board or a foreign licensing jurisdiction, OR
  • An applicant who is licensed in a foreign licensing jurisdiction without passing the NCARB examination (ARE or its predecessors),
  • AND
  • An applicant who wants to take the ARE and who has completed the 3rd year of an NAAB-accredited Bachelor or Master of Architecture program if the only degree received, or the 1st year of an NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture or higher program following receipt of an undergraduate degree, OR
  • An applicant who wants to take the ARE and who has a graduated with a 4-year pre-professional degree in architecture Category C, OR
  • An applicant who wants to take the ARE and who has accumulated 7 units of combined education/experience credit

Applicants who previously selected an initial licensure jurisdiction other than New York State within their NCARB Record and who want to change their jurisdiction to New York are also considered to be initial licensure applicants. Such applicants may have passed all or part of the ARE or may have never attempted the ARE.

How do I apply for an initial license and to take the ARE®? (NAAB accredited program or US 4-Year Pre-Professional Degree in Architecture)

  • Submit Online Form 1 - Application for Licensure. Please indicate on your Form 1 that you are applying to take the ARE and for initial licensure in New York
  • Pay the licensure and first registration fee of $377.00
  • If you have, at a minimum, completed the 3rd year of an NAAB-accredited Bachelor or Master of Architecture program if the only degree received, or the 1st year of an NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture program following receipt of an undergraduate degree, ask your college/university to send an official transcript to NCARB showing your completion of the 3rd or 1st year as appropriate. If you have graduated from a US pre-professional program in architecture, ask your college/university to send your official and complete transcript to NCARB.
  • Once NCARB has verified your education, request to take the ARE® as a New York applicant within your NCARB Record