BArch Bachelor of Architecture Professional Practice & Building Codes 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the US, an architect must be licensed in a state to legally practice architecture. Which national exam tests candidates for initial licensure?
- Architect Registration Examination (ARE) (Correct answer)
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) assessment
- AIA membership exam
- Structural Engineer (SE) licensure exam
Correct answer: Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
The ARE (Architect Registration Examination), developed by NCARB, is the standardized multi-division exam that all US architecture licensure candidates must pass to qualify for state registration.
Question 2: What does 'professional liability insurance' (errors and omissions, or E&O) protect an architect against?
- Claims arising from negligent acts, errors, or omissions in professional services (Correct answer)
- Bodily injury to construction workers on the job site
- Property damage from contractor negligence
- Claims arising from contractor's failure to follow contract documents
Correct answer: Claims arising from negligent acts, errors, or omissions in professional services
Professional liability (E&O) insurance covers an architect's legal liability for financial damages resulting from negligent performance of professional duties, including design errors, omissions, or inadequate specifications.
Question 3: In the AIA's project delivery methods, what distinguishes 'Design-Build' from traditional 'Design-Bid-Build'?
- In design-build, a single entity holds contracts for both design and construction; in DBB, separate contracts exist (Correct answer)
- Design-build always costs more than design-bid-build
- Design-bid-build is used only for public projects; design-build for private
- Design-build eliminates the need for construction documents
Correct answer: In design-build, a single entity holds contracts for both design and construction; in DBB, separate contracts exist
Design-Build contracts a single entity responsible for both design and construction services to the owner, while traditional Design-Bid-Build separates design (architect contract) from construction (separate contractor bid).
Question 4: What is the 'substantial completion' milestone in a construction contract?
- The point when the work is sufficiently complete for the owner to occupy and use the project for its intended purpose (Correct answer)
- When the contractor submits the final application for payment
- When all punch list items have been corrected
- When the architect issues the final certificate for payment
Correct answer: The point when the work is sufficiently complete for the owner to occupy and use the project for its intended purpose
Substantial completion is the contractual milestone when the work is complete enough for the owner to use the facility for its intended purpose; it triggers the start of warranty periods and shifts many responsibilities from contractor to owner.
Question 5: In the US, the ADA Standards for Accessible Design require a minimum clear width of how much for accessible routes (paths of travel)?
- 36 inches minimum (44 inches at doorways) (Correct answer)
- 24 inches minimum
- 48 inches minimum at all points
- 32 inches minimum
Correct answer: 36 inches minimum (44 inches at doorways)
ADA Standards require accessible routes to be at least 36 inches wide, with passing spaces or 60-inch width at reasonable intervals; door openings must provide 32 inches clear when the door is open 90°.
Question 6: Under the IBC, what is the maximum travel distance to an exit for a sprinklered office building (Occupancy Group B)?
- 300 feet (Correct answer)
- 200 feet
- 150 feet
- 400 feet
Correct answer: 300 feet
The IBC allows a maximum travel distance of 300 feet in a sprinklered Group B (business) occupancy; without sprinklers, the limit is 200 feet — sprinklers earn a 100-foot increase in most occupancies.
BArch Bachelor of Architecture Professional Practice & Building Codes 2
In the US, an architect must be licensed in a state to legally practice architecture.
Which national exam tests candidates for initial licensure?