Archinect - News

The six-month countdown begins until ARE 4.0's retirement

2018-01-23T13:05:00-05:00

Candidates seeking licensure will have until June 30, 2018 to test in ARE 4.0, after which ARE 5.0 will be the only accepted exam. The NCARB first announced the retirement of ARE 4.0 in 2014 providing testers with enough time to make the transition. Many have already switched to the latest version since the launch of ARE 5.0 in 2016. Up until this summer, candidates have the option of taking either exam or a combination of both to complete licensure.

If you haven't switched your testing strategy yet, now is the time to do so. The ARE 5.0 features six divisions organized around the phases of a typical architecture project. The exam incorporates testing methods of case studies, hotspots, and drag-and-place questions.

NCARB has developed free resources including a Transition Calculator showing how ARE 4.0 credits will transfer to the new exam.

Understanding the Role of an AXP Supervisor

2017-11-06T09:00:00-05:00

By: Holly Williams Leppo, AIA, NCIDQ-certified, LEED, AP

This post is brought to you by PPI

AXP candidates will work with a variety of professionals throughout the first few years of their architectural careers, but the most influential advisors will be their AXP Supervisor and AXP Mentor.

An AXP Supervisor is the person who is responsible for direct oversight of the candidate’s day-to-day work. In a smaller firm, this may be the principal architect and candidate’s employer; in a larger organization, it may be a licensed architect serving in a project or team manager role who is overseeing the candidate’s daily efforts. The AXP Supervisor must have the authority to assign tasks that will allow the candidate to obtain experience across the AXP practice areas. A Supervisor may only sign off on work that he or she has personally overseen. Therefore, candidates may have more than one AXP Supervisor during their training – for example, if they change jobs, or are assigned to different wo...

How to Begin Tracking and Stay on Top of Your AXP Hours

2017-09-12T13:39:00-04:00

By: Holly Williams Leppo, AIA, NCIDQ-certified, LEED, AP

This post is brought to you by PPI.

NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program (AXP) requires candidates for licensure to document 3,740 hours of work experience, allocated among six practice areas that correspond with the divisions of ARE 5.0. Although half of the time must be accrued in an architecture firm (or firms) under the supervision of a registered architect, the other half can be obtained in a variety of practice settings, including engineering or construction companies, continuing education or certification programs, and community outreach, among others. To successfully complete the program, candidates must master 96 key tasks, which are fully described in the AXP Guidelines.

Although selected architecture schools offer students the opportunity to accelerate the licensure process by enrolling in Integrated Path to Licensure (IPAL) programs, architecture students in any US program can begin logging AXP hours as soon as...

Six tips to make your ARE review a success

2017-07-21T12:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

The NCARB handbook provides an overview as well as several practice problems for each of the ARE 5.0 exam divisions. Using this handbook will begin to aid you in focusing your time in the knowledge areas where you need the most study.

Make sure to create a realistic schedule for your study times. Consider going through the ARE 5 Review Manual, as well as the NCARB handbook, to get a feeling for the scope of the divisions and how major topics are organized. Based on your review and a realistic evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses it will be easier to plan your studies.

Stop studying new material a day or two before the exam, because studies show that no amount of last minute cramming increases retention of information. Better yet, consider spending the evening before the exam relaxing and be sure to get plenty of sleep. A light review of some of the areas you’ve already studied, may be helpful on the morning of the exam.

Learn concepts firs...

Win PPI's “ARE 5 in a Flash” study flashcards!

2017-07-17T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

PPI is proud to sponsor this week’s Archinect giveaway. One lucky winner will walk away with an architecture bundle that includes:

PPI’s ARE 5 Flashcards that include 400 cards categorized by exam division and section to aid you in recalling key concepts and definitions. ($39 value)
LEGO’s Flatiron Building Architecture Set with 560 pieces and a booklet with details on design and history. For ages 12+. ($50 value)
PPI’s Stainless SteeI Water Bottle that keeps fluids hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. ($24.95 value)

Save 15% on review materials for ARE 5.0 with Hot Summer Savings from PPI. This limited time offer will be available through July 31, 2017 (some restrictions apply). Click here and start your licensure journey today.

To enter the giveaway just fill out this survey before Friday, July 28, end of day.

Your ARE license can take you around the world

2017-06-29T12:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Congrats! You've completed your experience program, passed every division, and received your architecture license. Achieving this career milestone is no easy task. You might be asking yourself just how far your architecture license can take you. If practicing in other states and even other countries interests you, NCARB has programs such as reciprocity and the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) that can take you beyond your home jurisdiction.

Reciprocity is a state-traveling architect's most valuable resource. NCARB instituted reciprocity into the post-license career path as a way to transfer your stamp from one jurisdiction to another. NCARB aims to expedite this process through what’s known as a certificate. To become certified, an Architect needs to submit an application that is used to verify education, experience, and licensure. Once certified you will have a direct path to use your license across 54 U.S. jurisdictions and 11 Canadian juri...

Getting it Done: Tips to Shorten Your Time to Licensure

2017-04-05T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

The road towards licensure is exciting, humbling, and full of unexpected surprises. However, as daunting as the task may seem, there are ways to shorten the duration and ease stress as you go from wide-eyed architecture student to stamp-carrying architect. Follow these tips to get ahead of the pack and shorten your time to licensure.

1. Know the Basics

Learn what lies ahead. The maze of educational and experiential requirements you must navigate before becoming a licensed architect is long and complex. Know these requirements like you know your shoe size. Then plan accordingly.

Education requirements vary depending on where you acquire your degree. If you’re at all confused about whether or not your degree path sets you up for early licensure, refer to this resource from NCARB. Consider how long it will take to receive an accredited degree before settling on an institution to complete your architecture education.

Also, there are ways to start earning ...

Three Reasons Why You Need to Get Your Architecture License

2017-03-14T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Here are the top three reasons licensure matters and why you shouldn't delay the process.

1. Let's face it, money is pretty important!

Licensure allows you to position yourself for career advancement and income generation. On average, licensed architects have a higher earning potential than unlicensed architects. More than half of architecture firms offer higher salaries to licensed architects (AIA 2015 compensation report).

2. Move from doer to leader

Why wait for the future to define you when you can take control of your own future? In many states, only licensed architects can design buildings over three stories or commercial buildings. As a licensed architect, you'll be able to choose the type of projects you work on and firms that you join. You will be able to sign-off on projects, supervise teams, and start your own firms.

3. Claim the title of an architect

It may be a surprise to many people, but without licensure, you cannot claim the title of ar...

Win PPI's ARE 5.0 Review Manual Book

2017-02-06T19:35:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

PPI is proud to sponsor this week’s Archinect giveaway. One lucky winner will walk away with an architecture dream bundle that includes:

PPI’s ARE 5.0 Review Manual Book written by David Kent Ballast, FAIA, CSI, NCIDQ-Cert. No. 9425, and Steven E. O Hara, PE ($250 value). Offers a comprehensive review of all six divisions of ARE 5.0 with hundreds of tables, figures, advice, tips, and strategies.
A LEGO set from the Architecture Collection, The White House (No Longer Available). With 560 pieces, this kit allows you to build a LEGO replica of the White House and includes a booklet with details on design and history. For ages 12+.
PPI’s Stainless SteeI Water Bottle ($24.95 value). Keeps fluids hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours.

Opt into our newsletter and receive a 15% off promotion code valid through the end of February 2017. This offer is exclusive to Archinect and is only valid for residents of the United States.

To enter the giveawa...

Architecture students at 17 schools will get licensed quicker with help from NCARB's new licensure program, IPAL

2016-12-13T19:36:00-05:00

The recently introduced IPAL, or Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure, promises to streamline the architectural licensure process for students at 17 universities and colleges by incorporating the Architectural Experience Program into the curriculum. Licensure, which is required by a majority of the fifty states and governing agencies in Canada, usually takes a few years of intense study and rigorous examinations after one's initial formal education is complete to attain. Initiated by NCARB, the in-school program will enable students to also take the ARE. Here's a full transcript of the press release:

Friends,The road to licensure for architects is getting shorter and shorter, thanks to a recent initiative spearheaded by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

The Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) provides students the opportunity to complete requirements for licensure while they are still earning their degree. Through the initiative, sc...

Why We’re Thankful for Licensed Architects

2016-11-21T09:00:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Being able to call yourself an architect is just one perk of becoming licensed. After hours of studying, practicing, and testing, licensed architects can confidently take on unique design projects with knowledge and experience to back up their choices. This is why their clients trust them with important decisions, and why we are thankful every day for their expertise. Here are a few reasons we are thankful for licensed architects.

1. They make choices you can trust.

High-level knowledge of design practices and how to best avoid errors only comes with practice and studying, two things with which every licensed architect is intimately familiar. After participating in Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), involving hours of studying, testing, and practicing in the field, licensed architects are equipped for success. Architects utilize their arsenal of knowledge to inform the decisions they make...

ARE 5.0 officially launches today

2016-11-01T19:32:00-04:00

The ARE 5.0 is finally here, and it's eight hours and one division shorter than its predecessor. Additionally, new testing methods, including the soothing sounding drag-and-place, have been added to the exam. As a press release pithily explains:

"ARE 5.0 features the latest graphic testing methods, replacing vignettes with two new question types: hot spots and drag-and-place. ARE 5.0 also includes case studies, which provide candidates with multiple pieces of information and require them to assess and solve the types of problems architects face on a daily basis."

Archinect will be featuring an in-depth series of feature articles on the ARE; for now though, here's more on the exam:

Five Can’t-Miss ARE Updates from NCARB

2016-10-19T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

It’s an exciting time to be an ARE candidate. With the release of ARE 5.0, new information is revealing itself daily. Keeping up with these updates can be difficult, but not impossible. Read on to discover essential ARE updates from NCARB that will help you on your path to licensure.

1. Earn a $100 Gift Card by Contributing to the Cut Score

If you’re among the first 600 candidates to take the ARE, not only will you contribute to the cut score (defined points on the score scale that determine the passing standard), but you will receive a $100 gift card from NCARB. NCARB will temporarily hold the release of ARE 5.0 score reports until the cut score of each division is decided, so encourage other ARE 5.0 candidates you know to test early.

2. Navigate the New Testing Interface with NCARB’s Demo Exam

The ARE 5.0 Demonstration Exam is an interactive tool that helps you become familiar with the interface of the new test, and can be accessed easily through yo...

Are You Ready for ARE 5.0?

2016-09-12T11:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

As the release date for ARE 5.0 draws near, knowing what to expect on the new test is becoming more pertinent for ARE candidates. Exciting breakthroughs in graphic testing methods and a desire to move away from the outdated CAD software system were just a couple of considerations fueling the latest ARE update. NCARB’s aim of making ARE content better reflect the day-to-day activities of professional architects also played a large role.

NCARB’s goal with any update is to use the most effective methodology to properly test a candidate’s ability to protect public safety and welfare - not to mention making the test as logical and cost-effective as possible. With the update, candidates will only have to take six divisions in contrast to the seven divisions of ARE 4.0. In fact, you may qualify to take advantage of a unique and lucrative Loophole Combo Strategy to the transition between tests. Check here to see if you’re eligible.

What’s New?

With the relea...

Latest NCARB report shows faster path to licensure

2016-08-29T13:30:00-04:00

According to the recently released 2016 edition of “NCARB by the Numbers”, looking at "key insights into architectural education, the path to licensure, and diversity in the profession", the time it takes to get an architecture license has continued to gradually decrease, as the average age of licensure also keeps steadily dropping.

The report states that in 2015, on average it took 13.3 years to become an architect, a timeline defined by: “from the time a student enrolls in school to the moment they receive a license.” That timeframe has gradually been decreasing each year since 2008, when it took approximately 15.5 years. So naturally, it follows that architects are also getting licensed at a younger age, on average.

Other key points from the report include the all-time (recorded) high of over 41,500 “professionals working toward licensure” in 2015. The percentage of ARE completions by women also reached its highest since 2006, increasing by over 10% to 37%.

For more information and ...

The ARE 5.0 Loophole You Should Know

2016-08-15T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

If you are on the path to becoming a licensed architect, you may already be aware that the Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) is being updated starting November 1st, 2016. You may not know that there could be significant benefits in store for you if you adopt a strategic approach to the update from ARE 4.0 to ARE 5.0. You could be among a group of candidates who can take advantage of a special loophole that may save you considerable time and money.

This “loophole strategy” (or Combo Strategy) involves taking a combination of division exams from both exam versions by beginning your testing with three specific divisions from ARE 4.0 and then completing your requirements with two divisions from ARE 5.0. The key to saving time and money is that you will complete just five divisions total, instead of the required seven for ARE 4.0 and six for ARE 5.0. Completing fewer divisions will subsequently save you time and money. But you’ll need to act before ...

Upcoming Architect Registration Exam® (ARE®) Change

2016-03-15T09:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

As an aspiring architect, you are required to pass the ARE for initial licensure in all U.S. jurisdictions.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) have just released new information regarding their upcoming release of ARE version 5.0.

There will be six divisions, compared to seven in ARE 4.0. As a result, an aspiring architect can expect to spend up to eight hours fewer completing ARE 5.0 divisions.

Though the exam will continue to use multiple-choice, check-all-that-apply, and quantitative fill-in-the-blank question formats, it will replace ARE 4.0 vignettes with new problem types, including:

Case Studies
Hot Spots
Drag-and-Place

Each division will include at least 80 questions, along with one to two case studies.

ARE 5.0 Timing and Planning Tools

NCARB will begin the final stages of ARE 5.0 exam development this spring, which will determine the official launch date of ARE 5.0 in late 2016.

If you have already started ARE 4.0, th...

ARE 5.0 Is Coming—Why Start Studying Now?

2016-01-11T08:00:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

In 2016, NCARB announced a change to the ARE exam format. The goal is to align the ARE with current practice management, project management, and project design activities in the architecture profession.

The new exam will be launched late 2016, but you have will until June 2018 to pass the ARE 4.0 divisions. Now is a great time to plan and start studying so that you can pass all seven divisions before the exam changes. You can still find study tips from architects who have already taken and passed the ARE. Click here to download a side-by-side chart showing topics covered by the seven ARE 4.0 divisions.

You can visit the NCARB web page to learn more about the upcoming transition to ARE 5.0.

Studying for ARE 4.0

There are no requirements from NCARB regarding the order in which examinees should take the seven divisions. Examinees often choose to assess division subject matter and schedule the exams in order from easiest to most difficult (as ranked by t...

There are now 14 programs working with NCARB to offer licensure upon graduation

2015-11-13T13:33:00-05:00

NCARB announced last year that it would work with architecture schools to create a path to licensure upon graduation, and since then, it's approved 14 programs – the latest being at the University of Kansas. These programs are already NAAB-accredited and don't guarantee licensure upon graduation, but instead make it easier for enrolled students to complete IDP and ARE requirements while still in school, by adapting content to fulfill licensure requirements. This is part of NCARB's so-called Integrated Path Initiative.

As of now, NCARB's Licensure Task Force has accepted the following schools' plans to offer licensure upon graduation:

Boston Architectural College; Boston, Massachusetts
Clemson University; Clemson, South Carolina
Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lawrence Technological University; Southfield, Michigan
NewSchool of Architecture and Design; San Diego, California
North Carolina State University; Raleigh, North Carolina
Portland State University; Portland, Oregon
Savan...

Taking your licensing exams? Prepare for ARE 5.0's release with NCARB's "Transition Calculator"

2015-11-04T12:53:00-05:00

NCARB is phasing out the ARE 4.0 and introducing the ARE 5.0 in late 2016, which means that depending where you are with your licensing exams, you'll probably need to figure out how your ARE 4.0 credits apply to the new version. Anticipating this need, the NCARB has released a "Transition Calculator" that allows you to plan your test path. Of note: although the ARE 4.0 won't be officially retired until June 30, 2018, once you jump to version 5.0, you can't switch back.

Becoming an Architect

2015-09-28T10:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

A 2014 Survey of Architectural Registration Boards reported the highest number of aspiring architects to date. More than 37,000 aspiring architects were testing and/or reporting hours. The 3,543 candidates who completed the Intern Development Program (IDP) are ready to start taking the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). Last year, 3,719 exam candidates completed the ARE, which was the highest number of completions for all sections since 2008.

Worried About the ARE?

PPI publishes a comprehensive exam review series for the ARE, authored by David Kent Ballast, FAIA. Click here to learn more about this best-selling author and how his books can help you prepare to pass your exam. PPI is committed to helping architects and engineers pass their licensing exams. Visit ppi2pass.com to learn how you can get started today.

In 2016, the ARE exam format is changing to align the ARE with current practice management, project management, and project design ...

Another step towards licensure upon graduation, as NCARB approves schools' plans

2015-08-11T18:13:00-04:00

NCARB’s “Integrated Path” initiative, which works with architecture schools to develop programming that fulfills licensure’s requirements by graduation, recently approved plans from over a dozen schools hoping to get their students licensed. Schools were invited to submit their initial proposals in May of 2014, when NCARB announced it would work with NAAB-accredited schools to let students complete IDP and ARE requirements while they were still in school. Now, NCARB will work with each school that submitted a proposal to get closer to a viable “licensure upon graduation” plan.

The schools will only be announced once their program is fully accepted by NCARB. Every year, starting again in early 2016, NCARB will invite additional schools to submit proposals to the “Integrated Path Evaluation Committee”. You can read NCARB's full press release here.

Archinectors weren't overwhelmingly swayed by the initial announcement of NCARB's initiative to have accredited schools offer licensure upon ...

NCARB switches up the way it certifies foreign architects

2015-06-23T19:56:00-04:00

The path for foreign architects seeking licensure in the US just got a lot more familiar. NCARB has decided to discontinue the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Program, its previous credentials for architects already licensed in another country to gain US licensure, and stripped it down to two major requirements: completion of IDP and ARE.

This essentially treats foreign architects more like architects in the US, removing the previous BEFA requirement that foreign architects have practiced (with a license) for at least seven years before being eligible to get a US license. BEFA requirements will persist until July 1, 2016, at which point the new requirements go into effect.

Read NCARB's press release announcing the change here. A run-down of the soon-to-be-defunct BEFA requirements are outlined below, paraphrased from NCARB:

Graduate with a professional degree in architecture from an accredited/validated/officially recognized architecture program
Be currently credentialed as...

IDP Change: Effective July 1, 2015

2015-06-22T11:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

If you would like to become a licensed architect one day, you will need to fulfill your state’s experience requirements for Architect Registration Exam® (ARE) qualification. Each state requires work experience under the direct supervision of a registered architect for a specific period of time prior to registration for the exam.

Most states have adopted the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Intern Development Program (IDP) as the experience requirement for exam registration. IDP guides interns and is the standard means of completing the requirement in almost all U.S. jurisdictions.

On July 1, 2015, NCARB will streamline the IDP by no longer requiring elective hours.
Click here to visit your State Board website to learn more about its particular requirements.

Professional Publications, Inc. (PPI) publishes a comprehensive exam review series for the ARE, authored by David Kent Ballast, FAIA. Click here to learn more about thi...

The Seven Non-Deadly Architect Registration Exam (ARE) Divisions

2015-03-23T11:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) is a professional licensure examination. It has been adopted by all 50 United States as well as the U.S. territories. The ARE is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to help protect public health, safety, and welfare in various aspects of architecture. Currently, the ARE is made up of seven exam divisions.

To call yourself an architect, you need a degree in architecture, validated work experience, and you need to pass all seven ARE divisions.

What Does This Mean to You?

It may mean that though you studied architecture, and are currently working in the field of architecture, you’re working as a designer—not an architect.

If you’re interested in furthering your career as an architect, here are four steps that will help you get started:

understand your state board’s eligibility requirements (click here)
research the ARE divisions and determine the best order for you ...

NCARB Launches ARE 4.0 Community

2015-02-19T12:35:00-05:00

At the heart of the community, you’ll find video tutorials on all seven divisions. Learn how the vignettes are scored, test your knowledge with sample questions, and expand your study library with suggested resources. Right now, roughly 28,000 candidates are preparing for the exam. The community is a great place to meet emerging professionals across the country, pick up a few pointers, and share your own study tips.

Last week, NCARB launched the ARE 4.0 Community—a space where candidates can come together to ask questions, share best practices, and interact with the organization's experts. More than 1,300 candidates have already joined the conversation by uploading practice vignettes and sharing test taking tips. Join the community today: http://ncarb.org/ARE4Community

Architecting Your Career: It’s Time to Pursue Licensure

2014-11-14T17:16:00-05:00

This post is brought to you by PPI.

Just as a doctor, lawyer, dentist or engineer require licensure to protect public health, safety, and welfare—architects must also be licensed. A significant part of becoming licensed is taking and passing the Architecture Registration Exam® (ARE).

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) administers the ARE. NCARB is an organization that regulates the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for architect licensure. Its members represent architectural registration boards across the United States and U.S. territories.

Why Become Licensed?

You can go to college, graduate, and earn a degree in architecture, but the road to becoming an architect doesn’t stop there.

Benefits of Becoming Licensed

Without the license, you aren’t a legally sanctioned architect. You are not legally allowed to call yourself an architect until you are licensed.
With a license, you have the legal right to sign, seal or stam...

NCARB announces major changes to IDP program

2014-09-22T19:05:00-04:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) announced today that it will be making significant changes to its Intern Development Program (IDP). Separate from other considerations to change the IDP's terminology, this decision chiefly includes two phases: (1) the removal of "elective" hourly requirements, and (2) condensing IDP's experience areas from the current 17 into six "practice-based categories", linked to future sections planned for the revised Architect Registration Examination (ARE) 5.0. These changes will be implemented beginning mid-2015 and mid-2016, respectively.

By removing the "elective" IDP hours, NCARB is decreasing the total required from 5,600 to 3,740 (still based on the seventeen "core experience areas", until ARE 5.0 is in place). NCARB reportedly made this decision to cut down on the average amount of years it takes "interns" to become licensed. The current average is more than seven — five years for IDP and another 2.2 to complete the ARE...

NCARB reveals major reinventions for the IDP and ARE

2014-06-23T22:30:00-04:00

Upon NCARB's licensure-upon-graduation announcement that stirred up plenty of discussion here on Archinect, the Council recently unveiled three more major modifications regarding the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the Architect Registration Exam (ARE).

Proposal for the streamlining and overhaul of the IDP:

The first reinvention phase proposes to streamline the IDP by removing the elective hour requirement (1,860 hours). Interns will document only the 3,740 hours in the 17 core experience areas, instead of the current requirement of 5,600 total hours of experience.
The long-term overhaul phase proposes realigning the current four IDP experience categories and 17 experience areas down to six experience categories. These six categories would directly align with the six practice-based areas of architecture, address the realities and challenges of contemporary practice, and will also align with the ARE 5.0 that will launch in late 2016.
Finalization of both phases -- and a potential ti...

NCARB's "licensure at graduation" announcement rubs Archinectors both ways

2014-06-04T21:13:00-04:00

Last week we reported on NCARB's announcement that it would offer a path to licensure through academic programs, making it possible for architecture students to be licensed upon graduation. The proposal prompted a pretty divisive set of reactions from Archinect commenters, some excited by the opportunities inherent in the proposal, others despairing over its potential long-term effects.

At the time of this post, the original news piece had 61 comments, the major issues raised including impact on educational standards, earning potentials and the profession's reputation. What also surfaced was a generational bias, with those already firmly set in the practice (but still not licensed) feeling disadvantaged by an opportunity that came too late for them. We've gathered the gist of the commenter's opinions here.

The PROS:

According to davvid, this new path to licensure will make it easier for graduates to get higher paying jobs more quickly after graduating, which "also increases their earni...