What is the primary purpose of the ARE?

The primary purpose of the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) is to assess candidates' knowledge for architectural licensure. This comprehensive examination evaluates a candidate's understanding of various essential aspects of architecture, including design, practice management, project management, and construction administration, among others. By ensuring that candidates possess the necessary knowledge and skills required for responsible practice in the profession, the ARE helps maintain standards within the industry, protecting public health, safety, and welfare.

The focus of the examination is on the theoretical and practical knowledge that an architect must have to be licensed. This aspect is essential for ensuring that licensed architects are well-equipped to handle the complexities of architectural projects, making decisions that adhere to legal, ethical, and professional guidelines.

While evaluating architectural design capabilities and technical proficiency in building codes are important skills for architects, those aspects are components of the broader framework that the ARE addresses as part of ensuring overall competence for licensure. The examination does not primarily serve as a creative platform or solely as a measure of design aesthetics; instead, it focuses on the necessary knowledge required to practice architecture responsibly and effectively.