Taking The ARE® With PSI
Welcome to the PSI webpage for ARE candidates. Use the information on this site to plan for your test day, either at a PSI test center or on Bridge, PSI’s online proctoring system.
Test-Taking Made Easy
PSI Test Center Experience
PSI Online Proctoring Experience
Online Proctoring Technical Requirements
Operating System
24- JAN- 2023 : Support for Windows 8.1 and macOS 10.15 (Catalina) will end.
Bandwidth
Minimum 300kbps (PSI minimum recommended)
Minimum 3mbps (NCARB's requirement)
Screen Resolution
1368 x 769 or higher (PSI's minimum recommended)
1920 x 1080 (NCARB's recommended)
Camera & Mic
Must be functional and available for testing.
Must be external and include autofocus capability.
PSI Bridge is not currently supported on Chromebooks, tablets, or mobile devices.
Test Center FAQs
Online Proctoring FAQs
You are required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID as part of the check-in process. Your ID must contain your full name and a recent, recognizable photo.
Please Note: Military IDs are not accepted for Online Proctored exams.
- Please ensure that your desk space is clear and clean of any items, that there are no notes or descriptions posted on the walls in the room, and, overall, no items or information in the room that could be considered cheating materials. Other items in the background, provided that they are not accessed during the exam, are fine. For example, having books on a bookcase in the background is not a problem provided that you do not access them.
- If another person enters the room while you are testing, your exam will be terminated.
- The proctor cannot answer question related to exam content.
- Reference materials, paper, notepads, or language dictionaries
- Calculators
- Any type of communication, surveillance or recording devices such as:
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- Smart watches or glasses
- Headphones, AirPods, or any in-ear device
- Baggage of any kind including handbags, purses, or briefcases
- Weapons
- Food or beverage
- Tobacco products or smoking equipment
NCARB and the ARE
About NCARB
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate.
What is the ARE?
The Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) is developed by NCARB. The ARE is used by U.S. jurisdictions as the registration examination for candidates seeking architectural registration. It is also accepted by select Canadian provincial and territorial architectural associations for registration.
The ARE assesses a candidate’s knowledge and skills to provide various services required in the practice of architecture. No single examination can test for competency in all aspects of architectural practice; the ARE is not intended for that purpose. The ARE concentrates on the professional services that affect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
In addition to testing for competence in specific subject areas, NCARB is aware of the responsibilities an architect may have for coordinating the activities of others involved in the design/construction process. The ARE assesses a candidate’s qualifications in exercising the skills and judgment of a generalist working with numerous specialists.
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