Architectural Experience Program® (AXP™)

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is an independent nonprofit non-governmental organization, founded in 1919 during an American Institute of Architects (AIA) convention in Nashville, TN. The organization’s experience and examination standards have been adopted by Rhode Island. Both the AXP and the ARE are organized under 6 headings:

• Practice Management (PcM)
• Project Management (PjM)
• Programming & Analysis (PA)
• Project Planning & Design (PPD)
• Project Development & Documentation (PDD)
• Construction & Evaluation (CE)

The AXP identifies 96 tasks that are essential for competent practice as an architect. There are two methods of demonstrating competent performance of AXP tasks: reporting hours or submitting a portfolio. Most licensure candidates complete the AXP by reporting hours; 3,740 hours under six experience areas (see headings above) are required to complete the program. At least half of the experience is completed under the supervision of a qualified architect. Experience should be reported within 8-months; experience documented within 5-years but after 8-months will only count 50%. Experience older than 5-years cannot be reported, and the portfolio method may need to be considered.

• The AXP Handbook is an essential resource.
• Supervisors and Aspiring Architects may find the Chapter’s optional “Schedule of Tasks” Form beneficial for discussion and progress in task completion, not only hours: AIA-RI AXP Form – v3 (*xlsx).