ARE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ARE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What are Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) continuing education hours? → Hours dedicated to topics that directly impact public safety and wellbeing.
2. What is the function of rebar in reinforced concrete? → Resist tensile stresses concrete cannot handle
3. What is 'reciprocity' in architectural licensure? → The process by which one state recognizes a license from another state
4. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight directly into which form of energy? → Electrical energy
5. Which structural material has equal strength in both tension and compression? → Structural steel
6. What is typically required to maintain an architectural license in most U.S. jurisdictions? → Annual license renewal fees.
7. Which factors should be considered during a site analysis for building orientation? → Prevailing wind direction.
8. A cantilever beam experiences its maximum bending moment at: → The fixed support
9. Which AIA document governs the relationship between the architect and an engineering subconsultant? → AIA C401
10. Which of the following is NOT a type of live load? → Self-weight of the concrete slab
11. What is the primary function of a state architectural licensing board? → To protect the public by regulating architectural practice
12. An architect who seals drawings for work they did not prepare or supervise is committing: → Fraud and a violation of professional standards
13. What is the deflection limit for a floor beam supporting a plaster ceiling under live load according to common practice? → L/360
14. The stiffness of a structural element is best described as: → Its resistance to deformation under load
15. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of building materials evaluates environmental impacts across which scope? → From raw material extraction through end-of-life disposal
16. What happens if an architect fails to renew their license by the required deadline? → They must pay a late renewal fee and fulfill any additional requirements.
17. In a building water conservation strategy, 'graywater' refers to water collected from which sources? → Sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures
18. An architect discovers a potentially hazardous condition during construction administration that the contractor has not reported. The architect should first: → Notify the owner and recommend corrective action
19. For a south-facing window in a hot climate, which glazing parameter most directly controls unwanted summer solar heat gain? → Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
20. Which LEED certification level requires a minimum of 80 points out of 110 possible? → Platinum
21. Which of the following responsibilities does the architect have during project closeout? → Issuing the Certificate of Substantial Completion.
22. Which of the following items should be included in the contractor’s application for payment? → Value of completed work.
23. Which of the following best describes the goal of an adjacency matrix? → To evaluate spatial relationships between program elements.
24. Which program administered by the EPA uses Energy Use Intensity (EUI) as a key metric to benchmark commercial building energy performance? → ENERGY STAR
25. A client is developing a total project budget for a new restaurant. Which of the following items is considered a 'soft cost'? → The cost of the land and financing.
26. In a high-rise building, the vertical stacking of mechanical rooms, elevator shafts, and plumbing risers has the GREATEST impact on which architectural element? → Floor plan layout and net usable area
27. When an architect hires a structural engineer for a project, the agreement between them is typically documented in which AIA contract form? → AIA C401 - Architect-Consultant Agreement
28. Which stormwater management strategy uses vegetated, sloped channels to slow runoff, filter sediment, and promote groundwater infiltration? → Bioswale
29. Which load type acts horizontally on a structure due to soil pressure? → Lateral earth pressure
30. How can architects ensure compliance with evolving licensure requirements? → Subscribe to updates from their state licensing board.