Section 1150.40  Examination

a)         The examination for licensure as an architect is a computer-based examination prepared by NCARB. An applicant who has a conferred NAAB accredited professional degree, EESA-NCARB equivalent degree or is an applicant actively participating in an NCARB accepted Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) option within an NAAB-accredited professional degree program in architecture, may begin taking the NCARB ARE with concurrent enrollment in the AXP.

b)         As of November 1, 2016, the ARE 5.0 examination consists of the following divisions:

1)         Practice Management;

2)         Project Management;

3)         Programming & Analysis;

4)         Project Planning & Design;

5)         Project Development & Documentation; and

6)         Construction & Evaluation.

c)         All divisions are graded with a score of pass or fail.  To pass the examination, the applicant must achieve a passing grade on each division of the examination.

d)         An applicant failing a division may repeat that division test after the applicant's unsuccessful attempt, pursuant to NCARB requirements.

e)         A passed exam division shall remain valid throughout the delivery of the exam version under which it was taken, as well as the next exam version.

f)         If an applicant does not complete all divisions of the ARE before the end of the next ARE examination version delivery, the divisions passed under the previous ARE version will be retired, and the applicant shall be required to retake the divisions passed under the prior ARE version examination to satisfy the examination requirement to be licensed.

g)         Applicants who fail to achieve the required passing score in any division of the examination will be afforded unlimited opportunities to repeat the failed parts of the examination subject to the Act and NCARB requirements.

h)         The provisions of this Section shall be waived for an applicant for licensure as an architect who makes application in form and substance satisfactory to the Division pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 1150.30 and causes to be filed with the Division, in addition to the individual's application, proof of successful completion of the NCARB examination administered pursuant to the standards in this Section in another jurisdiction.  The proof of successful completion must be forwarded directly to the Division from the jurisdiction in which the examination was taken.

i)          Divisions of the examination passed in another jurisdiction will be accepted toward licensure in this State if the division was not subsequently failed.

j)          Examination Review

The Division does not allow for review of NCARB examinations for applicants who failed a division and abides by the outcome of the examinations provided by the test administrator.

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10074, effective July 23, 2025)