Eligibility

How to Obtain Eligibility

Candidates may request an eligibility evaluation at any time they believe the requirements have been met to start the licensure process. Applications are submitted through our online application portal.

California requires a candidate provide evidence they have the equivalent to five years of educational or training experience and possess an active NCARB Record to begin the licensure process. Eligibility is determined by an evaluation of documented educational and training (work) experience.

NCARB rules specify that eligibility may only be maintained in one state, jurisdiction, or province at a time. NCARB does not allow multiple eligibilities.

How to Document Eligibility

Educational experience is documented through the submission of educational transcripts. The transcripts must be directly submitted by the college or university. We cannot accept transcripts issued to or sent by a candidate. Alternately, transcripts will be accepted if available in a candidate's NCARB Record.

Experience must be documented on our Employment Verification Form We cannot accept any other form to document b submitted to the Board.

Notification of Eligibility

CAB notifies NCARB of a candidate's eligibility status by setting the authorizations for ARE divisions within the NCARB My Examination system. NCARB will send eligible candidates an email confirmation of eligibility once testing authorizations have been granted by CAB.

Testing eligibility remains valid as long as a candidate is active in the examination process. Our regulations define an active candidate as an individual who has taken an examination within the previous five years since they were either found to be eligible or since their last exam. Scheduling a division does not fulfill this requirement.

Expiration of Eligibility

A candidate must remain active in the examination process to retain eligibility The eligibility expiration date, also known as the Test Activity Status (TAS) date in the NCARB My Examination candidate portal, is displayed in a candidate's My Examination record under the Authorization to Test Expiration section of the Scheduling page.

Extensions to Eligibility

CAB cannot grant extensions to the TAS expiration date. A candidate is expected to know their respective TAS expiration date and to take an ARE within the preceding five years to avoid becoming inactive and ineligible to test.