What is the definition of competence as related to the ARE?

• A. The ability to be responsible for a project from inception to completion, ensuring public health, safety, and welfare.
• B. The ability to memorize codes.
• C. The ability to design a building in 10 minutes.
• D. The ability to draft without errors.

Answer: (A)

Competence means you can guide a project from inception to completion while protecting public health, safety, and welfare. It’s about applying knowledge of codes and standards, coordinating with consultants, managing schedule and budget, and using professional judgment to take responsibility for the final built work. It’s not just memorizing codes, or designing quickly, or drafting without errors; those are individual skills. The full idea of competence is delivering a safe, compliant, well-coordinated project through all phases and ensuring the outcome meets HSW requirements.