How long did it take you to pass the ARE’s and what was that process like?

Passing all of the exams took me about 6 years total. I would take long breaks between taking exams and studying (which I do not recommend). For me, life got busy between moving to a new city/state, getting married, buying a house, getting a dog and COVID – studying was the last thing I wanted to do! There are a total of 6 NCARB ARE exams. There are additional steps to becoming a licensed architect which depend on the state you are getting licensed in and there are a few different options depending on if you attended an accredited university or not. I gained a bachelor of architecture from Cal Poly Pomona which provided me with an accredited degree and I also completed the NCARB AXP which is a process of documenting your experience in the field of architecture (there is a total of 3,740 hours required across 6 different areas). So for me, graduating from an accredited university, logging my hours working in the field and passing the 6 exams is where I am at today. NCARB is currently in the process of sending my documents to the state of Washington, and I will be filling out some paperwork and taking one more state specific test and will then be able to finally call myself an architect!

Did you lay out a study plan before starting the process, how did you apply yourself?

For each test I would lay out a study plan depending on the test content and my personal schedule. There would be times when I had a friend or co-worker studying for the same exam and it was helpful to have someone hold me accountable and someone to bounce different questions off of. I personally do better studying on weekends rather than after work during the week, which means I would plan my study schedule around times when I'm not traveling or spending my weekends enjoying Seattle's beautiful summers.

What advice would you give to someone beginning the process of getting certified?

Studying for these exams will help you become a more well rounded and knowledgeable architect. This is an opportunity to grow and accelerate your career. Try to enjoy the studying process – a positive mindset really helped motivate me to keep going. I know it's hard not to get discouraged if you fail an exam, but you're not alone. Don't give up and lean on your peers for support!

What led you to pursuing a career in architecture? Have you ever felt discouraged about your choice?

I had aspired to be an architect at a very young age. I always had an interest in design: fashion, photography and ultimately architecture. When it came to the design of spaces specifically, I was intrigued by the idea that we spend most of our time living and working inside the built environment. The power designers have to effect humanity in a positive way through great design is endless. Architecture school, and studying/taking these these exams have definitely been difficult and disheartening at times, but never to a point where I began to question my goal to become an architect. It is a really great/fun career and I feel lucky to be in a field where I am always learning.

When Laras not focusing on her wide variety of projects at work, you might find her exploring the Pacific Northwest with her partner along with their newest family member, PB – who might be the cutest dog in the world!

Team Spotlight: Lara Barnes