Office Hours
Weekly open time with our ARE experts. Drop in or book private one-on-one time to get answers, guidance, and support on anything ARE.

Study Hall
1-hour focused session on a specific ARE topic. Learn how to apply concepts, recognize them on the exam, and use them in practice.

*You'll need to create your FREE account to get the Zoom link or schedule appointments.

Live Weekly Work Sessions

Ask Our ARE Experts Anything

    1. Welcome!

    2. Office Hours - This link works for both Sunday & Wednesday Sessions

    3. Book a one-on-one Office Hours appointment

    4. Put Office Hours on your Calendar

    5. Study Hall

    1. Join Our Zoom Call

    2. Office Hours Zoom Link

    1. Study Hall description, session topics and calendar links

Office Hours Details

  • Free
  • Weekly Live Sessions
  • Wednesdays 9-1 PM Pacific Sundays 11-Noon Pacific
  • Office Hours and Study Hall are free weekly Zoom call where ARE 5.0 candidates—at any stage in the process—can connect with expert mentors, get questions answered, and join a supportive community on the path to licensure.

Seeking Office Hours Mentors

If you have passed exams or are licensed and want to give back to our community as a PrepARE Mentor, we'd love to hear from you!

Details & Sign Up Here

We're Here To Help

Kevin Griendling, AIA

Kevin Griendling is a licensed architect, educator, and mentor with over a decade of experience helping candidates pass the ARE. He’s taught architecture, created the Prepare for the ARE series on Pluralsight, and developed the xQ ARE 5.0 practice app. Licensed in eight states with broad practice experience, Kevin offers real-world insight and clear, supportive guidance. His goal is simple: help you navigate the licensure process with confidence—and pass.

Office Hours Mentor Rita John

Rita is an architect at San Francisco firm, Kuth Ranieri Architects, and a free-lance mural artist with a keen interest in cultural practices, craft techniques and sustainability. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from G.G.S Indraprastha University, Delhi, a Master of Science degree in Sustainable Environmental Design from the Architectural Association, London, and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia. Initially licensed in India and later in the state of California, Rita has worked on a wide variety of project types across both geographies ranging from public libraries and recreation centers to residential renovations, commercial fit-outs, and custom art installations.

Teacher / Mentor Michelle Nip

Michelle Nip is the Senior Project Manager of Planning, Design & Construction at Stanford Health Care, with over 15 years of experience in healthcare architecture, specializing in renovation projects for acute care hospitals in California. Currently, she leads the Fixed Fluoroscopy project, integral to transforming the 50-year-old Stanford Hospital at 300 Pasteur in Palo Alto. A licensed architect, Michelle is an enthusiastic leader passionate about team building, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge sharing.