Practice Management (PcM) evaluates your understanding of managing an architectural practice, encompassing professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and relevant regulations. It emphasizes pre-contract tasks like negotiation, human resource management, and consultant development. Success requires demonstrating knowledge in business structure, development, and asset protection. If you are looking for study material, then consider this as your practice management study guide.
Preparing for the ARE 5.0 Practice Management Exam
NCARB offers a free, full-length, scored practice exam for Practice Management, accessible in your NCARB Record. This is an invaluable resource for assessing your preparedness.
Further details and suggested references are available in the ARE 5.0 Guidelines and the test prep video series. These resources serve as a crucial practice management study guide.
Practice Management Exam Details
- Number of items: 65 (including 2 case studies)
- Test duration: 2 hr 40 min
- Allowed break time: 30 min
- Total appointment time: 3 hr 20 min
The PcM exam covers these content areas:
Business Operations (20-26%* of exam items): This section emphasizes the need to address staffing, regulations, insurance, and ethical considerations. Objectives include:
- Assessing resources within the practice
- Applying regulations and requirements governing the work environment
- Applying ethical standards to adhere to accepted principles in various situations
- Applying appropriate Standard of Care in different scenarios
ARE 5.0 Guidelines Download
Alternative Text: Download the ARE 5.0 Guidelines for comprehensive exam policies and resources.
Finances, Risk, & Development of Practice (29-35% of exam items): This is the largest section of the Practice Management exam and it focuses on how managing and expanding a practice involves financial considerations, minimizing risks and liabilities, and effectively negotiating services and contracts. Objectives include:
- Evaluating the financial health of the practice
- Identifying policies and methods for managing risk, legal exposures, and resolutions
- Selecting and implementing practice strategies for specific business situations and policies
Practice-Wide Delivery of Services (22-28% of exam items): This section requires you to assess projects based on their effect on the overall operation of the practice. Objectives include:
- Analyzing and determining responses to client service requests
- Analyzing the suitability of contract types and delivery methods
- Determining potential risks and/or rewards of a project and its impact on the practice
Practice Methodologies (17-23% of exam items): This smaller section of the exam focuses on analyzing how a practice is organized to meet its objectives and how to manage different projects and services. Objectives include:
- Analyzing the effect of practice methodologies on the practice’s structure and organization
- Evaluating design, coordination, and documentation methodologies within the practice
For detailed information on all ARE divisions, please visit our website or consult the ARE 5.0 Guidelines. Utilize these resources as part of your Are Practice Management Study Guide.
*The percentages shown for each section and objective represent a typical form of this division. The specific form you experience may vary slightly, as adjustments are made from form to form to balance factors such as overall form level of difficulty and average time to answer the assembled items.
