IDP & ARE – TIMING OF THE EXAM& THE EXPERIENCE

IDP & ARE – TIMING OF THE EXAM& THE EXPERIENCE

Rule 1.41 Rule 1.41 -- Allows an architectural -- Allows an architectural candidate in Texas to begin the ARE candidate in Texas to begin the ARE after completing accredited education after completing accredited education plus six months’ experience under a plus six months’ experience under a registered architect. This amendment registered architect. This amendment was adopted on June 7, 2001; the rule was adopted on June 7, 2001; the rule took effect October 10, 2001.took effect October 10, 2001.

Issues to be Considered:Issues to be Considered:

•Application FormApplication Form – – BEFOREBEFORE, applicant could , applicant could have been required to pay an extra NCARB have been required to pay an extra NCARB record transmittal fee to be sent once after 6 record transmittal fee to be sent once after 6 months experience & once when the IDP was months experience & once when the IDP was completed. completed. NOWNOW the Board has a simpler the Board has a simpler application form. The candidate signs an application form. The candidate signs an affidavit verifying that he/she has 6 months affidavit verifying that he/she has 6 months fulltime experience under the direct supervision fulltime experience under the direct supervision of an architect. He/she must also submit a of an architect. He/she must also submit a certified transcript to verify an NAAB accredited certified transcript to verify an NAAB accredited degree. degree.

•Duplicate Records & File Storage ProblemsDuplicate Records & File Storage Problems – – The candidate is required to send the NCARB The candidate is required to send the NCARB record only once.record only once.

•Tracking and handling informationTracking and handling information – – To reduce burden on staff, an Access Table was To reduce burden on staff, an Access Table was created to handle tracking both the early (six created to handle tracking both the early (six months) candidates and all other candidates. months) candidates and all other candidates. This was incorporated into the Board’s new This was incorporated into the Board’s new database (Fall, 2005).database (Fall, 2005).

ProsPros::

•Reduces the exam drop-out rate of candidates.Reduces the exam drop-out rate of candidates.

•Offers shorter time period between school & Offers shorter time period between school & testing; candidate has educational knowledge testing; candidate has educational knowledge fresh in his/her mind.fresh in his/her mind.

•Reinforces the candidate to pursue registration Reinforces the candidate to pursue registration when he/she has documented success.when he/she has documented success.

•Allows other states’ candidates to enter the Allows other states’ candidates to enter the exam pipeline at this earlier schedule.exam pipeline at this earlier schedule.

ConsCons::

•Could create issues with licensing boards in Could create issues with licensing boards in other states.other states.

•Candidates may have to pay NCARB a Candidates may have to pay NCARB a maintenance fee over a longer period of time.maintenance fee over a longer period of time.

•Candidates may have to pay Texas a Candidates may have to pay Texas a maintenance fee over a longer period of time.maintenance fee over a longer period of time.

•Question of certification acceptance with Question of certification acceptance with NCARB and/or other states.NCARB and/or other states.

““Snapshot” of ARE Candidates, February 2006Snapshot” of ARE Candidates, February 2006

• 1,841 ARE candidates currently in the exam 1,841 ARE candidates currently in the exam process in Texas. process in Texas.

• 565 ARE candidates qualify for early exam.565 ARE candidates qualify for early exam.

• 487 of these are in Texas; 78 are outside of Texas.487 of these are in Texas; 78 are outside of Texas.

• 38 candidates completed the exam in the past 2 38 candidates completed the exam in the past 2 months; 8 of those were early exam candidates.months; 8 of those were early exam candidates.

•In this fiscal year Texas has recorded 89 early In this fiscal year Texas has recorded 89 early applicants and 91 other applicants for the ARE.applicants and 91 other applicants for the ARE.

Average Time to Complete the ARE in Texas: Average Time to Complete the ARE in Texas: (Measured in Last Quarter of 2005)(Measured in Last Quarter of 2005)

•Those who complete IDP Those who complete IDP

prior to taking the ARE:prior to taking the ARE: 46 months46 months(Nat’l: 26 months)(Nat’l: 26 months)

• Those who are taking the Those who are taking the

exam while completing IDP: exam while completing IDP: 12 months12 months

Observations:Observations:

• Early exam candidates are obviously “achievers.”Early exam candidates are obviously “achievers.”

• Exam has not changed its difficulty or level of Exam has not changed its difficulty or level of acceptance; exam has not been “dumbed down.”acceptance; exam has not been “dumbed down.”

• If prepared (whether through education or If prepared (whether through education or experience), candidate will pass the exam parts.experience), candidate will pass the exam parts.

• If If not not prepared, the candidate will fail and will prepared, the candidate will fail and will re-take the exam parts.re-take the exam parts.

Texas, along with a growing number of states, Texas, along with a growing number of states, continues to seek ways to work “smarter.” Our continues to seek ways to work “smarter.” Our Board often asks “Why not?” rather than “Why?” Board often asks “Why not?” rather than “Why?” We see this change as an enhancement for the We see this change as an enhancement for the profession of architecture and for the candidates profession of architecture and for the candidates who will inherit the obligations and the responsi-who will inherit the obligations and the responsi-bilities of the future. We are confident that we are bilities of the future. We are confident that we are moving in the right direction.moving in the right direction.

In Closing:In Closing:

Where do weWhere do wegogo

from here?from here?

Where do weWhere do wegogo

from here?from here?