March 17: Test Center Closure and Rolling Clock Update

With the health and safety of test takers and staff in mind, Prometric has decided to temporarily close all test centers in the United States and Canada for the next 30 days, beginning on March 18, 2020.

Prometric may be contacting you directly via email with more information about test center closures.

Have a Division Scheduled?

  • If you have an appointment scheduled for later today, you can choose to sit for that examination at your discretion.
  • If you have an appointment scheduled within the next three business days, do not go to the test center. Your exam eligibility will be automatically reset the day after your scheduled appointment, and NCARB will apply a seat credit to your account  within 72 hours of your appointment, allowing you to reschedule at no cost.
    • Prometric customer service may reach out to you by phone or email to reschedule this appointment before the scheduled time; however, large customer service volumes may delay their ability to contact you within this timeframe.
  • If you have an appointment scheduled later than three business days from now, we encourage you to self-serve by logging into your NCARB Record and rescheduling existing appointments at no cost. We recommend rescheduling for late-May and into the months of June or July.
    • If you have an existing appointment with Prometric and do not reschedule on your own, you will receive instructions directly from Prometric to assist you in rescheduling your appointment at no cost once it is safe to resume testing.
  • Prometric currently expects to reopen test centers on April 16, 2020, pending additional developments in the Coronavirus outbreak.
  • If you are testing outside of the United States or Canada, check the Prometric website to determine if your test center remains open.  

Rolling Clock Considerations
NCARB will be applying a 90-day rolling clock extension to all candidates as appropriate. This extension will be applied automatically as soon as possible.

For additional questions and concerns, contact NCARB or Prometric. Be aware that due to the high volume of requests, wait times may be longer than usual.

March 12: Testing Policy Update

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, NCARB has adjusted our testing policies to protect your health and safety. Please make the safe choice for yourself and others to assist in minimizing the impact of the virus.

Rescheduling
Effective immediately and continuing through the end of April, all Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) appointments can be rescheduled at no cost to you.

  • If you have an appointment within the reschedule period, Prometric is in the process of updating their system. You will be able to reschedule your appointment online at no cost after 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13—any applicable rescheduling fees will be waived.
  • If you have an appointment scheduled within the next four business days and have decided to not test, please contact us online at ncarb.org/contact and confirm that you will be a “no show” for your appointment. Within 24-72 hours, NCARB will provide you a seat credit so you can reschedule your appointment at no cost and automatically reset your exam eligibility after the scheduled appointment date.

Rolling Clock
If you have a division that will expire due to the rolling clock between now and the end of April 2020, Contact NCARB to apply for a rolling clock extension.

Testing
If you choose to keep your appointment, be assured Prometric has fully reviewed all test center operations and continues to mitigate the risk of spread of the virus at their testing locations. Prometric procedures include regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces (test station keyboard keys, mouse, biometric touch chip device, etc.) and providing disposable wipes so that common surfaces can be wiped. In addition, all candidates can bring and will be permitted to wear medical masks and gloves while testing. Please note these items will be subject to visual inspection upon entry to the test center.

Prometric is continually evaluating test center closures on a case-by-case basis with a close eye on specific government actions, including closing local offices, public spaces, and university campuses, along with building closures where the test centers are located. In the event a test center is closed when you have a scheduled appointment, Prometric’s customer care team will reach out to you directly to reschedule your appointment.

All test center closures are posted on the Prometric website at www.prometric.com/closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon will I see the rolling clock extension/free seat credit in my NCARB Record?
Due to the high volume of candidates, please be patient as we update your account. It may take up to 72 hours for seat credits to appear in your NCARB Record.

I need a rolling clock extension because my division’s rolling clock will expire in March/April and I am concerned about scheduling due to COVID-19. What can NCARB do?
Effective March 17, NCARB is applying a 90-day extension to all candidates as appropriate. This extension will be applied automatically as soon as possible. If you have questions about this rolling clock extension, contact NCARB—but keep in mind that due to the high volume of requests, your wait time may be longer than usual.  

My rolling clock expires in November, but I am scheduled to take two exams in April, and I don’t want to go to the test center due to COVID-19. Can NCARB help me?
You can reschedule your April test appointments at no cost, and the universal 90-day rolling clock extension will be applied to your rolling clock.

We are also collaborating with regional authorities to comply with local directives and guidance as it relates to the evolving Coronavirus situation and its impact on domestic ARE 5.0 testing. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and update our candidates accordingly with any new developments.

I had a baby recently and I am postponing testing until after the Coronavirus pandemic dies down. Can I get an extension?
Absolutely! The 90-day extension will be applied to your rolling clock; in addition, normal extension rules apply. You are eligible for a six-month rolling clock extension for the birth of a child. Contact NCARB so we can give you the related paperwork and walk you through the process of applying for an extension due to the birth or adoption of a child.

My exam is tomorrow, but the system won’t allow me to reschedule this close to my test date. I don’t want to risk catching or spreading the Coronavirus. What can I do?
If you have an appointment scheduled within the next three business days, do not go to the test center. Your exam eligibility will be automatically reset the day after your scheduled appointment, and NCARB will apply a seat credit to your account allowing you to reschedule at no cost. Prometric customer service may also reach out to you by phone or email to reschedule this appointment before the scheduled time; however, large customer service volumes may delay their ability to contact you within this timeframe.

I paid $80 to reschedule before NCARB decided to waive rescheduling fees. Can I get my fee back?
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a direct refund of rescheduling fees paid prior to March 13, 2020. However, we can offer a discounted seat credit for your next exam. For example, if you paid $80 to reschedule; your next seat credit will be $155. Contact NCARB for assistance.

My exam is scheduled in May, but I am not going due to COVID-19. Can I reschedule for free?
Currently, we are only offering reschedule fee waivers for exams scheduled between now and April 30. However, you can still reschedule based on the normal rescheduling fee structure:

  • 30 or more business days (by noon ET) before the appointment: $0
  • 16-30 business days (by noon ET) before the appointment: $60
  • 4-15 business days (by noon ET) before appointment: $80
  • 0-3 business days before appointment: Rescheduling not permitted

My exam is scheduled for April 10, but I am not going due to COVID-19. Can I get a refund for the cost of the exam?
NCARB is not able to offer refunds for your seat credit; however, between now and April 30 you can reschedule your exam at no cost. Please log into your NCARB Record, navigate to the “Exams” tab, select “reschedule,” and reschedule the exam for the date of your choice.