NCARB’s Role: Advocacy VS Regulation????????
In yesterday’s NCARB webinar with NY State someone asked:
Why Prometric told them, NCARB decided not to be on the Prometric Essential list, but many other organizations who do not work with the HSW of the public have made this list and are now considered more essential.
Michelle very awkwardly didn’t answer the question, but passionately defended NCARB. Luckily Martin stepped in and he did a beautiful job of deflecting the question.
He went on to explain the difference between advocacy and regulation. He stated it’s not NCARB’s job to get architecture designated as “essential” in the larger political spectrum. He recommended that ARE Candidates contact the AIA to be their advocates with their State Boards and Governments to have Architecture made “essential”.
I agree with what he said, It’s NCARB’s job to regulate the profession, NOT be a public advocate.
BUT, the larger political spectrum isn’t what the question was about. I’d like to clarify and restate the question.
WHY ISN’T NCARB APART OF PROMETRIC’S ESSENTIAL CLIENT PROGRAM????
Currently the ARE exams are being canceled with 2 days notice and people are being kicked to the back of the line, so others can take exams for organizations who DO BELONG to Prometric’s Essential Client Program.
Okay, it makes sense for medical exams being essential in the middle of a national health crisis, but how did these organizations who offer exams make the list:
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB)
- International Avian/Animal Trainers Certification Board (IATCB)
- Many Insurance companies
- Construction Specification Institute (CSI)
- American Welding Society (AWS)
- Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
- Health & Wellness Coach Certifying Examination Program (HWCCP)
- Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
- National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
- and many more…
How did The National Council of Architecture Registration Board FAIL at being added to The Prometric Essential Client Program?????
Yes we understand it’s NCARB’s job to regulate the profession NOT advocate for the profession.
HOWEVER…
The AIA and State Boards have ZERO control over NCARB and Prometric’s relationship. When the decision to NOT enroll in Prometric’s Essential Client program was made, did the AIA and State Boards have an opportunity to advocate for the profession with this decision?
When Martin puts this situation into the “Advocacy and Regulation” context, it looks like NCARB knowingly let ARE Candidates get run over by a bus and now you guys are telling us to contact the AIA and our the state boards to be our advocates.
Does the AIA and State Boards even know that NCARB has made the decision to make the ARE a lower priority to Food Marketing and Dog Training exams?
NCARB’s strategy to use the pandemic as a way to announce Remote Proctoring without any tangible details or timelines has been completely tone deaf and irresponsible.
NCARB can barely administer ARE 5.0 without their software crashing in a controlled setting on Prometric’s test taking computers. Sure we all hate the testing centers, but what makes anyone think that NCARB can administer their exams in an uncontrolled setting on an ARE Candidates crappy old HP laptop.
I wish NCARB would stop with the lip service and false promises and figure out how to get candidates back into the testing center taking exams.
NCARB has FAILED MISERABLY at serving their customers during the pandemic and it could have been completely avoided with transparent open communication.
NCARB’s inability to take responsibility for their mistakes and how they are always pointing the finger at Prometric and everyone else, continues to be an embarrassment to watch.
The disparity in the standard of care NCARB is providing ARE Candidates and the standard of care and professionalism NCARB DEMANDS from us continues to grow.
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Official comment
Hey everyone,
We posted an update for all candidates under the General Discussion section of the Community - https://are5community.ncarb.org/hc/en-us/community/posts/360046744794-Important-ARE-Updates-as-Testing-Resumes.
Please reference this post for the most up-to-date information on Prometric and the ARE.
Comment actions -
I'm frankly impressed that they could be more tone-def than when they announced the 6 month rule in 2010, a time when most of us were still unemployed after the economic crash. I lost ALL my IDP hours back then because not only was I unemployed and broke, I didn't have the money to pay for rent or go to the doctor, let alone to keep my NCARB record active.
Does NCARB realize that they are going to lose another generation of potential architects (ESPECIALLY THE MORE DIVERSE CANDIDATES) because they can't figure out how to appropriately respond to this? I mean, I know you can't properly respond to the challenge of accommodating new mothers in testing centers, and you certainly aren't thinking about the financial strain that has already been placed on candidates who likely have less savings and ability to absorb more fees and time before licensure.
Having looked at the responses to this by the various state and national BAR associations, I am embarrassed that this is the best our governing body can manage.
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Michael,
You have some good points.
I have two questions:
- Does it cost NCARB more if NCARB decide to put ARE exams on the Prometric Essential list?
- If NCARB thinks it does not play a role of advocacy, then is should at least play a neutral role, i.e., instead of deciding whether ARE exams should be on the Prometric Essential list itself, it should at least ask AIA or some other organization for an answer. NCARB should have no authority to decide NOT to put ARE exams on the Prometric Essential list either.
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Thanks for putting this great post together Michael. Can we also ask why NCARB is closing posts that perfectly follow all NCARB's Community Guidelines BUT raises questions regarding current crisis? I wanted to post here before this one gets closed to comments as well.
We all should try to learn from what our country is going though right now and open up more space for different opinions even when they are critical. The timing of obstructing freedom of speech could not be worse.
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Elif,
The only posts NCARB removes are those that violate Community guidelines. In some cases, the original question asked in the thread has been answered and the conversation continues down a very different path, deviating from the original subject, and the thread is closed. In this case, you are certainly welcome to start another thread with the new topic, if you choose to.
If you have questions regarding exam delivery and haven't found answers on this Community, please contact NCARB's customer service at 202-879-0520. NCARB has recently sent an update to candidates who had exams canceled in error. If you had an exam canceled and believe it to be in error, and you haven't received direct communication from NCARB, please reach out to customer service.
In some cases, when the Community guidelines are violated repeatedly, the violator has their posting privileges revoked.
I hope this helps.
Joan
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I made a YouTube video discussing many of the questions surrounding NCARB right now. https://youtu.be/1lWfdcXftrs
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Per Nick’s comment under your video:
NCARB finally made it to the list of the Prometric Essential list:
136. National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) http://www.prometric.com/sites/default/files/Essential%20Client%20List.pdf
Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Whew, I gambled a little by rescheduling my canceled March/April PPD & PDD for August/September at a site that’s still listed as essential only. Their system allowed me to do that back in late April, but as of now that center isn’t listed on the map if I go into the rescheduling portal.
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Let me get this right, your telling us that Prometric's interpretation of the CISA Guidelines allowed them to designate Dog Trainer Certifications and Wellness Coaches Certifications as essential, but not The Architect Registration Exam????
I'd like to know why these conversations didn't happen months ago??? How many ARE Candidates lost their early June test dates because NCARB WASN'T advocating for them???
When is NCARB going to stop BLAMING Prometric for EVERYTHING???? How is this professional conduct???
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