The Future of Architectural Licensure
NCARB's Competency Standard and how it's shaping pathways to practice
Sponsored by NCARB | Presented by Jared Zurn
Live Webinar Airing on December 9, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET
This interactive webinar, led by NCARB’s Chief Programs Officer Jared Zurn, will explore the upcoming changes to the Architectural Experience Program®️ (AXP®️) and Architect Registration Examination®️ (ARE®️) as they align with NCARB’s new Competency Standard for Architects. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of how the updated experience and examination requirements—launching in late 2025 and mid-2026—reflect refined descriptions, flexible reporting policies, and expanded opportunities for the next generation of architects.
The course will highlight how these program transformations set the stage for NCARB’s Pathways to Practice initiative, which aims to expand licensure access, support innovation, and pave the way for a reimagined future licensure model. Attendees will receive guidance on navigating the new standards and hear insights into the broader vision for program reinvention and accessibility.
Photo courtesy of NCARB
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Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB, CAE, brings enthusiasm and dedication to his role as NCARB’s Chief Programs Officer, where he helps guide and enhance programs with a focus on meaningful results. Jared works to ensure that every initiative reflects NCARB’s strategic vision, providing members and stakeholders with value and keeping progress moving forward. Since joining NCARB in 2008, Jared has played an instrumental role in developing and refining the Architect Registration Examination®️ (ARE®️), overseeing major milestones in exam delivery, security, and fairness. He helped lead the introduction of online-proctored testing and spearheaded research to benefit exam candidates and the profession. Before coming to NCARB, Jared enjoyed running his own architecture practice in northwest Minnesota and was deeply involved in architectural education as a faculty member and division chair at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. There, he worked on curriculum development and program assessment, helping future architects prepare for their careers. |
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is a nonprofit organization made up of the architectural licensing boards of 55 U.S. states and territories. While each jurisdiction is responsible for regulating the practice of architecture within its borders, NCARB develops and administers national programs for candidates pursuing architectural licensure and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate.
Originally published in Architectural Record
Originally published in November 2025
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify the core domains and specific competencies defined in NCARB’s Competency Standard for Architects, and articulate their importance in protecting public health, safety, and welfare as part of licensure requirements.
- Explain the upcoming changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®) and Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and how these programs will be realigned to assess the newly established competencies.
- Discuss how the refined Competency Standard enables expanded and flexible pathways to licensure, providing greater access and supporting diverse candidates, including the foundations of the Pathways to Practice initiative.
- Evaluate the impact of program changes on licensure candidates, supervisors, and educators, and describe strategies for successfully navigating the transition to new standards and future licensure models.
