Board Conducting 2014 Occupational Analysis for CSE
In July, a representative sample of California licensees (over 8,000) was invited via email to participate in the online OA survey. Licensees were reminded of the criticality of their participation in order to ensure the success of this project.
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Professional Examination Services (OPES) is currently conducting the Board’s 2014 Occupational Analysis (OA) survey of contemporary architectural practice in California. The last OA was conducted in 2007. OAs are generally conducted every five to seven years.
The purpose of the Board’s OA is to identify job tasks performed by California architects and the knowledge required to perform those tasks. The results of the OA will provide a foundation for updating the California Supplemental Examination (CSE) Test Plan and future exams. The CSE is the final step to licensure in California and assesses whether applicants demonstrate minimum standards of competency necessary to meet the requirements of practice in California.
In July, a representative sample of California licensees (over 8,000) was invited via email to participate in the online OA survey. Licensees were reminded of the criticality of their participation in order to ensure the success of this project. Selected participants had until July 18th to complete the survey.
In September, the survey results will be reviewed and analyzed. An OA validation report will then be prepared by OPES and the findings will be presented to the Board at its December meeting. Additionally, OPES as required by Business and Professions Code section 139 will be conducting a review of the national exam (the Architect Registration Examination [ARE]) and a linkage study, which compares the content of the ARE with the results of the Board’s OA. More specifically, a linkage study can determine if areas of practice are not sufficiently tested for on the national exam and ensures that there is no overlap between the content on the national exam and the state exam.
By early 2015, OPES will have completed these studies for the Board and a new CSE Test Plan will be developed, which will determine future exam content.
The Board thanks licensees for their assistance in this important process and for supporting the profession.