NCARB’s Rolling Clock Is Gone: What You Need to Know About the Score Validity Policy (and What’s Next for ARE 6.0)
Oct 08, 2025
Since NCARB retired the rolling clock, I’ve been getting a ton of questions:
When did it take effect?
How does it impact me?
When’s ARE 6.0 launching?
You’re not alone. Even I had questions at first. So, I went straight to the source and talked with Jared Zurn, AIA, NCARB, Vice President of Examination at NCARB — the person behind everything related to the ARE®.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
The Big Change: The Rolling Clock Is Gone
On April 30, 2023, NCARB officially retired the rolling clock policy — that 5-year expiration on passed divisions.
In its place is the Score Validity Policy, effective May 1, 2023.
Here’s what that means for you:
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A passed exam division now stays valid as long as the current version of the ARE® is active (so, through ARE 5.0).
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That same division score will also carry over into the next version (ARE 6.0) once it launches.
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No more expiration stress. No more “clock ticking down.”
In short, passed divisions never expire while the version is live.
That’s a massive win for candidates.
What Happened to Expired Scores?
When NCARB ended the rolling clock, they reinstated certain ARE 4.0 divisions for qualifying candidates.
If you passed any 4.0 exams before transitioning to 5.0, those scores were revalidated and applied where they matched 5.0 equivalents.
Some candidates even found out they were already complete under the new policy.
What’s the Timeline for ARE 6.0?
Here’s what we know right now:
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NCARB will give candidates at least 18 months’ notice before ending ARE 5.0.
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Updates to exam objectives and structure are currently in development, with changes expected to roll out around April 2026.
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ARE 6.0 will focus on improving clarity in objectives and refining case studies.
So, for now — if you’re testing under ARE 5.0, keep going. Your scores are safe and will transfer to 6.0 when the time comes.
What If My State Still Mentions the Rolling Clock?
All 55 U.S. jurisdictions have voted to retire the rolling clock, but a few states had it written into law. NCARB is working directly with those boards to update the language.
If you’re unsure about your state, check the jurisdiction-specific list here.
Can You Volunteer with NCARB?
Yes — and it’s actually a great experience.
NCARB works with 150–200 licensed architects every year who help write exam questions, develop case studies, and review content.
If you want to give back (and get a peek behind the curtain), reach out to NCARB about volunteering.
Final Thoughts
When this policy first dropped, a lot of us were confused.
But after talking to Jared and digging deeper, I realized this is a really good thing for candidates.
The new Score Validity Policy removes artificial pressure and gives you more freedom to focus on learning and testing at your pace.
It might be a little messy as things shift behind the scenes, but NCARB’s direction is clear — more flexibility, better support, and a smoother path to licensure.
Keep an eye out in 2025–2026 for more announcements about ARE 6.0.
In the meantime, stay focused, stay consistent, and remember — every pass counts.
Helpful Links
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