Retiring the Rolling Clock: How NCARB Made Licensure More Accessible

Thousands of architects were stuck—until NCARB made one of its most impactful policy changes in decades.In this episode of Inside NCARB by the Numbers, we unpack the retirement of the ARE’s five-year rolling clock policy. Why was it created? Why did it persist for so long? And what finally led to its removal?Host Andy McIntyre is joined by NCARB leaders Jared Zurn, Senior Vice President of Programs, and Katherine Bayless, NCARB’s Assistant Vice President of Data & Analytics, who reveal the data, equity research, and behind-the-scenes work that shaped this decision. Plus, architect Maria Clironomos shares her powerful story of perseverance, setbacks, and what it meant to reclaim her lost exam credits—and her career trajectory—after the change.Whether you're testing today or returning to the path after years away, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a look at how policy reform is changing lives across the profession.Explore more data on the number of licensed architects, gender and racial diversity, and exam pass rates in the 2024 NCARB by the Numbers