AIA Contract Series · ARE 5.0 Exam Prep · Updated May 2026
AIA A201 explained for ARE 5.0
A plain-language breakdown of the General Conditions — what it is, what it covers, and why it matters for your exam.
What is AIA A201?
The AIA A201 — formally titled General Conditions of the Contract for Construction — is the foundational document that governs the relationship between the owner, architect, and contractor on a construction project. First published in 1888 and regularly updated, the 2017 edition is the version tested on the ARE 5.0.
Think of A201 as the rulebook. It does not define cost, scope, or drawings — those live in other contract documents. Instead, A201 defines how the project gets built: who has authority, what happens when things go wrong, and how disputes are resolved.
Why A201 appears on all three divisions
A201 is heavily tested because it governs construction phase roles and procedures across all divisions. Here is how each connects to it:
PcM
Practice Management
A201 defines authority boundaries and procedural limits during construction. Note: the architect’s standard of care is defined in B101, not A201 — but A201 reinforces how that authority operates on a project.
PjM
Project Management
Covers submittals, RFIs, change orders, and construction observation — the daily workflow of managing a project in the field.
CE
Construction & Evaluation
Defines the architect’s contract administration authority: reviewing pay applications, issuing, modifying, or withholding certificates, handling disputes, and determining substantial completion. Actual CA services are defined in B101; A201 governs how they are exercised.
Key articles to know for the exam
A201 has 15 articles. These are the ones that show up most on ARE questions:
Article 1
General provisions
Defines the contract documents and establishes that they are complementary — what is required by one is as binding as if required by all. There is no fixed order of precedence in A201. When conflicts arise, the architect interprets the documents as the Initial Decision Maker and issues written decisions.
Article 2
Owner’s rights and responsibilities
The owner must provide evidence of financing upon request prior to commencement of the work, share information about the site, and respond to the contractor’s requests in a timely manner.
Article 3
Contractor’s responsibilities
The contractor is solely responsible for means, methods, techniques, sequences, and site safety. The contractor must also review documents and promptly notify the architect of any errors or conflicts before proceeding.
Article 4
Architect’s role
The architect is the owner’s representative during construction but acts impartially when interpreting the contract or resolving disputes. The architect serves as the Initial Decision Maker (IDM) by default — decisions are initial and subject to mediation and binding dispute resolution under Article 15.
Article 7
Changes in the work
Covers three types of changes: Change Orders (signed by all three parties), Construction Change Directives (prepared by the architect and signed by the owner — the contractor must proceed even without agreement), and minor changes (issued by the architect alone). CCDs are used when the owner and contractor cannot reach agreement on a change.
Article 9
Payments and completion
Defines the schedule of values, application for payment process, substantial completion, and final payment. Within 7 days of receiving the contractor’s application, the architect must either issue a Certificate for Payment, issue a partial certificate, or withhold certification — and notify the contractor of the reason for any withholding.
Article 15
Claims and disputes
Establishes the dispute resolution process. Claims must be initiated within 21 days of the event. The architect issues an initial decision as the IDM — decisions are initial and subject to mediation and binding dispute resolution. Either party may escalate.
Article 15 dispute resolution flow
This sequence is one of the most tested processes on the ARE. Know each step and who controls it.
Step 1
Claim filed
Within 21 days of the event — by either party
Step 2
IDM decision
Architect issues written initial decision
Step 3
Mediation
Required before binding dispute resolution — administered by AAA
Step 4
Arbitration or litigation
Binding resolution — method selected in the Agreement
Note: The contractor must continue performing the work during the dispute process unless the contract is terminated. The IDM decision is initial and enforceable unless challenged, but may be escalated through mediation and binding dispute resolution.
Common exam traps
- There is no fixed order of precedence in A201 — contract documents are complementary, and conflicts are resolved through architect interpretation.
- The architect does not control the contractor’s means and methods — only the contractor does.
- Substantial completion and final completion are different milestones with different legal consequences.
- A CCD is prepared by the architect and signed by the owner — the contractor must proceed even without agreement. A Change Order requires all three parties to sign.
- The architect’s decisions under Article 15 are initial decisions — subject to mediation and binding dispute resolution, not truly final.
- The 7-day and 21-day time limits in Articles 9 and 15 are frequently tested.
- The architect’s standard of care is defined in B101 — not A201.
Exam tip
When an ARE question describes a conflict between the contractor and owner, ask yourself: does the architect have authority to act here, or does this require a formal claim? A201 draws a clear line between the architect’s day-to-day authority and the formal dispute process under Article 15.
How A201 relates to other AIA contracts
A201 is incorporated by reference into several other AIA documents. When you see A101 (Owner-Contractor Agreement) or B101 (Owner-Architect Agreement), they reference A201 as the governing general conditions. Understanding A201 is the foundation for understanding the entire AIA contract family tested on the ARE.