Testing Internationally

October 04, 2018 15:27

We’re excited to announce that NCARB is providing additional opportunities for candidates living and working abroad by expanding the international locations where ARE 5.0 is available. We hope these new locations—in addition to the existing ones in London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi, will better support more candidates on their path to licensure.

Candidates can now schedule ARE 5.0 exams at Prometric test centers in the following international locations:

Australia: Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne
Argentina: Buenos Aires
Brazil: Brasilia and Rio De Janeiro
England: London
Germany: Berlin and Frankfurt
Greece: Athens
Hong Kong: Kowloon
Italy: Rome
New Zealand: Auckland
Spain: Madrid
United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi

To test in an international test center, log in to your NCARB Record and follow these steps to schedule a division. As always, please reach out to NCARB’s Customer Relations team online or at 202-879-0520 with any questions.

Comments

58 comments

James Merriman January 31, 2020 12:58

Hi Joan,

Are there any plans to add a test center in Singapore?

Best,

James

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joanparos January 31, 2020 17:20

James,

NCARB isn't currently planning on adding test centers to those already delivering the ARE. We'll keep Singapore on the list for the next round of additions.

Joan

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James Merriman February 01, 2020 08:05

Joan,

Thanks for the update. I didn't see Singapore on any of the lists you provided before, are there already prometric test centers in Singapore delivering the ARE?

*I would look in system myself but buying a seat credit just to check is prohibitively expensive, hope you understand.

Best,

James

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joanparos February 05, 2020 14:50

James,

The ARE is not currently delivered in Singapore. The exam is offered at Prometric test centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Australia (Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Brazil (Brasilia and Rio De Janeiro), England (London), France (Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse), Germany (Berlin and Frankfurt), Greece (Athens), Hong Kong (Kowloon), Italy (Rome), Netherlands (Amsterdam), New Zealand (Auckland), Spain (Madrid), Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir), and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi).

Joan

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Smita Lukose February 05, 2020 15:12

Hi Joan,

Thank you for the update! Just wondering if you knew of any updates for ARE test centers in India and if there might any in the future. I really hope to start taking tests from here!

Thanks,
Smita

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joanparos February 05, 2020 15:15 (Edited February 05, 2020 15:15)

Smita,

We have no plans to expand the list of test centers delivering the ARE at this time. We will add India to the list for future consideration.

Joan

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aagangchen February 05, 2020 17:59 (Edited February 17, 2020 04:31)

Joan,

Are there any testing centers closed because of the recent Coronavirus outbreak?

Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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joanparos February 05, 2020 18:05

Gang,

There are Prometric test centers closed in the affected areas. Prometric is reaching out to impacted candidates and rescheduling their exams. Prometric's website would be the best source of information on test center closings.

Joan

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CAROLINE KANG February 06, 2020 06:43

Hi Joan,

I would also love it if there was a test center in Singapore. My rolling clock expires this May, and I gave up as I'm currently in Singapore and knew there were no test centers here. But if one does open up for ARE exams, I'll start studying!

Thank you!
Caroline

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KWANGSEOK OH February 24, 2020 00:23

Hello Joan,

I was wondering if NCARB can add Seoul, South Korea to the list for future consideration. I know that there are many AIAs and AIA candidates in South Korea as well.

Thank you!

Kwangseok

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joanparos February 25, 2020 14:21

Richard & Kwangseok,

The Zurich test center is now delivering the ARE. Richard, you should be able to schedule exams there.

Regarding additional international test center suggestions, we have no plans to expand the list of test centers delivering the ARE at this time. We will add Seoul, South Korea to the list for future consideration.

Joan

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Stephanie Newcomb March 07, 2020 23:06 (Edited March 07, 2020 23:07)

Hi Joan,

Do you have information on the test center closures and reschedules regarding coronavirus?

I was planning on taking an exam in one week in Berlin but the cases have really jumped and there is a great deal of uncertainty. I have gotten no information from Prometric regarding their center there meanwhile centers in Italy have closed.

I want to reschedule but I am wondering if this just a standard reschedule or is there another way to reschedule without a fee since this is a situation out of the ordinary.

Thanks

stephanie

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joanparos March 09, 2020 13:22

Stephanie,

If a test center in which you have an exam scheduled closes, Prometric will reach out to you to reschedule the division. It's likely they don't yet know when some of the centers will be reopening, and are taking a "wait and see" approach, based on how COVID-19 is affecting the area.

Given that your exam is in a week and the number of cases have increased in that location recently, your best option is to call Prometric directly. NCARB doesn't have input or control over the test center closings, but Prometric's website should have a complete list posted.

I hope this helps.

Joan

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krmerten March 09, 2020 17:09

joanparos, if a test center closes indefinitely, will we receive time towards our rolling clock? Us test-takers can't just take a "wait and see" approach when we have rolling clocks to face.

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Doh Young Kim April 03, 2020 11:49

Hi Joan,

I second Kwangseok for expanding international locations to Seoul, South Korea.

According to this NCARB article, https://www.ncarb.org/nbtn2018/inside-ncarb, South Korea is the second highest country (after Canada) with licensure candidates and NCARB Certificate holders..followed by 3rd, UK, and 4th China.

Please consider adding Seoul to the international list as I am certain many candidates living and working in South Korea would appreciate the opportunity and convenience of seeking licensure here without the need to book and fly to Hong Kong or China.

Thank you.

Dohyoung

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Miranda Moen April 10, 2020 18:24

Hi, I was wondering if there would be a test center made available in Norway? This would be very helpful to me especially now in the COVID-19 crisis as I have to leave the country for a research project for a year and need to conclude my exams before 2022.

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Kevin Clement May 27, 2020 22:07

Hi Joan,

I'd like to ask if it's possible to put the Tokyo Prometric center on the list. There's a healthy, small AIA presence here and I know several people in Tokyo (besides myself) that want to sit for their exams here. Thank you for the consideration and communication.

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Wooyoung Kim June 22, 2020 02:51

Hello Joan,

It would be great to have Seoul, Korea as an available testing center. We've got many NCARB record holders here.

Thank you!

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CAROLINE KANG July 11, 2020 19:13

Hi Joan,

As many others have said previously, I also agree with having an available testing center in Seoul, Korea. In addition to the stats from Dohyoung above, South Korea is being cautious, but relatively open currently during the Covid Pandemic.

Thank you!

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jacques52 July 22, 2020 21:00

Hi Joan

As you know, there are avalanch of people who want to take this exam in South Korea even including me. and when I checked the locations for exam, only possible option is Hongkong where is too far from Japan and Korea. please take into account for opening up a location for exam. If that would be possible, it would be highly appreciated.

Thank you!

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Eric Dempsey August 08, 2020 03:34

I'm proud to report that I have completed my 6th and final division PDD just last week! I received the official score report and am now coordinating with my state board for the official license!

Thanks so much to the team that made international testing available! This wouldn't have been possible without your help. I've lived internationally for almost 12 years now. I'm receiving my license much later in my career than expected. Flying overseas to complete license exams adds an extra hurdle to an already complicated process. Thankfully the tests are available locally now. My first few exams completed in Hong Kong in 2017 - 2018. Although, I live in Shanghai where I was recently able to complete the last 4 divisions in rapid succession.

Thanks to everyone who is an active participant on this discussion forum. Reading your posts, hearing your suggestions, and also frustrations was very helpful and encouraging. The tests are not as difficult as you imagine. Once you've gathered all of the relevant study material, make a date to make it happen. It's definitely much easier to find time in a busy schedule if the testing center is available locally. Although, if a couple hour flight to HK is the nearest open, don't let that stand in your way. A good employer should help you toward your career goals. Wishing everyone the best of luck and success.

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aagangchen August 08, 2020 23:43

Eric,

Congratulations!

You last name is very unique and looks familiar, I think we met about 10 years ago at one of the conventions, either an ICSC or Mall China event, in a small group discussion.

Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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Nicolle Hazard August 18, 2020 21:56

Dear Joan,

Can I please request that they add Mexico City to the cities with testing centers? I know prometric already has locations here but does not administer this test yet. I would really appreciate it!

Thank you in advance!

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Jia Hu October 26, 2020 01:20

Dear Joan,

I am living in Tokyo and know there is a large presence of Americans here who want to take the ARE's as there is a large concentration of expat architects.

I found that there is already a Prometric center in Tokyo in Ochanomizu Sola City (http://pf.prometric-jp.com/common_contents/testcenter_list_en.html), would it be possible for NCARB to coordinate with this existing Prometrics testing center in order to make ARE testing available?

Sincerely,

Joy

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Suxian Sun July 21, 2021 15:24 (Edited July 21, 2021 15:25)

Wonder if the test location in Shanghai and Nanjing, China still offer ARE 5.0 in-person test now?

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takstew May 15, 2022 03:47

NCARB,

Please allow for in-person testing with PSI in Tokyo.
There are seven PSI locations in Tokyo alone and more across Japan.

I realize PSI online testing is supposed to improve our online testing experience but I do not want to risk going through the various technical and personnel incompetencies I faced with Prometric. Please advise.

Thanks,

Tak

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riverari November 09, 2025 19:17

Hi. I’m currently living abroad in Switzerland and have been taking my exams here in Zurich. I’m scheduled for my third exam in a couple of weeks, but I’ve noticed that there are no future time slots available for booking additional exams.

Could you please confirm whether Zurich (or Switzerland) will continue to serve as an international testing center for NCARB exams?

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riverari November 17, 2025 13:52

I checked again with regards to registering for my next exam at the Zurich Test Center. Strangely there are many seats available for the PA Exam, but no slots available at all for PPD and PDD.... I am assuming the reason is because the last two exams require a 5 hour appointment time

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