ARE Update: NCARB Issues Sanctions for Exam Candidate Misconduct

Released July 11, 2023

NCARB has issued sanctions for six candidates who violated the Architect Registration Examination^® (ARE^®) Candidate Agreement, with specific misconduct ranging from copying and sharing exam questions to attempting to sell exam questions online, as well as utilizing exposed exam questions prior to attempting at least one division.

As a reminder, all exam candidates must follow the ARE Candidate Agreement, which outlines the policies around ARE confidentiality. Candidates who violate the agreement are subject to serious repercussions.

About the Case

In late 2022, NCARB was alerted to the potential disclosure of ARE questions on an online platform. An in-depth investigation revealed multiple candidates copied and shared exam questions, a violation of Category 4 of the Policy for the ARE: Exam Candidate Conduct. In addition, some candidates were involved in attempting to sell ARE exam questions through an online platform. All of the candidates being sanctioned accessed copied ARE questions prior to taking at least one ARE division, a violation of Category 1 of the Policy for the ARE: Exam Candidate Conduct.

As a result, each candidate received their due process in having their case reviewed independently by the NCARB Professional Conduct Committee, followed by a review and final action by the NCARB Board of Directors. Each of these candidates received differing sanctions including a public reprimand and exam score invalidation, among other disciplinary actions.

More information about the candidates involved and the disciplinary actions taken by the NCARB Board of Directors can be found on the NCARB website.

Maintaining Exam Security

The ARE plays an important role in ensuring public health, safety, and welfare by affirming that candidates have the required knowledge and skills to competently practice architecture. Because of this, it is crucial that licensing boards can trust the validity of exam results.

NCARB is dedicated to reviewing and strengthening the role of ethics in the regulation of architecture and maintains a public database of all disciplinary actions receiving a public reprimand. The candidate misconduct has been reported to the appropriate licensing boards, which may take additional disciplinary actions warranted by the individual cases.

Individuals who wish to learn more about ARE security can visit the NCARB blog or the ARE 5.0 Community to discuss the topic with NCARB’s examination experts.