Architecture Registration Exams Story: James Wesala

Welcome to the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) experience stories series! This series is to share experiences, timelines and advice of professionals that have completed their AREs. We know it can be a daunting task to get started and overwhelming on the number of resources out there. We hope you find this information helpful in organizing how you proceed through your exams. Good Luck!

This is the experience, timeline, and advice from:

James Wesala, AIA, LEED BD+C, NCARB, NOMA

James Wesala is a Faculty Associate at The Design School at Arizona State University and Senior Associate at Richärd | Kennedy Architects in Phoenix, Arizona. His professional experience includes international projects overseas and hundreds of projects throughout the Southwest, especially here in Arizona. James has a broad range of typological experience including Government, Civic/Public, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Ecclesiastical, Industrial, and Retail/Hospitality projects.

James teaches design studios and lecture classes in the Interiors and Architecture programs at The Design School at ASU.  Some of his additional activities include co-hosting/co-producing the “Tracing Architecture” podcast (he is a co-founder), serving his profession through NAAB, on the inaugural NAAB Architectural Review Committee (2024-2025), serving with the AIA Arizona previously as State Director of AIA10 (2020-2021) and currently as the Phoenix Chapter’s AIA10 Director (2024-2025), and also serving his profession in other professional organizations, such as NCARB and NOMA Arizona.

James earned his Bachelor of Science and Design in Architectural Studies and then continued to receive his Master of Architecture at Arizona State University. James is a licensed Architect in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, and he is a LEED BD+C accredited professional.

“Designers get fixated on the exam testing order, but that really doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you study, comprehend, test, and pass the exams.”

All exams were taken in-person at a Prometric testing center.  I made a conscience effort to schedule the next exam on the day before I took an exam.

August 9, 2014	In Person	SITE (4.0)	PASS
August 25, 2014	In Person	SCHEMATIC (4.0)	PASS
September 28, 2014	In Person	CDS (4.0)	PASS
December 31, 2014	In Person	PPP (4.0)	PASS
August 17, 2015	In Person	BS (4.0)	PASS
October 25, 2015	In Person	SS (4.0)	PASS
January 25, 2016	In Person	BDCS (4.0)	PASS

I often get asked “why do I need to get licensed?”. Why did you decide that you wanted to be a licensed Architect?

Why get licensed?  I felt that licensure was a critical step in my professional development and in ways personally validated my chosen career.  Subsequently it has allowed for a multitude of opportunities in my career that I feel would not have materialized If I had not attained my initial license.  The licensure process itself provided for another level of understanding of my profession (as an architect).  In retrospect, I feel my licensure process was a bridge of understanding between education and experience, it expedited a broader understanding of this profession that may have taken decades to garner otherwise.

Often people don’t know where to start, do you have any advice for those looking to start their exams -or- how did you start?

To quote Nike – “Just do it”.  Simple start by filling out an application with your local licensing board.  A lot of designers get fixated on the exam testing order, but that really doesn’t matter.  What matters is that you study, comprehend, test, and pass the exams.

What type of study materials did you use? Any particular ones that you’d recommend?

Kaplan and Ballast hardcopy books were the brands of and type of study materials I used.  I would highlight key points, add notes in the margins, and add post-it notes bookmarks to sections that were critical.  Then re-read those sections often.

How did you fit study time into your schedule? Was there anything in particular that worked well for you?

Personally, I feel my level of comprehension is highest in the early morning hours.  So, I would go into the office a few hours early and study in that quiet time.

Do you have any other advice for someone studying for their exams?

Perseverance is the key to success in this profession, it is referred to as the Practice of Architecture for a reason.  So, efforts regarding exams should be no different.

We hope that this information helps you through your ARE journey, setting goals, and giving you some insight on how to get started.

Thank you again to James Wesala for sharing your story!

Edited by

Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, LSSBB