AIA Contract Series · ARE 5.0 Exam Prep
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 one of the most heavily tested documents on the ARE because it touches every phase of a project. Here is how each division connects to it:
PcM
Practice Management
Sets up the architect’s standard of care, scope of basic services, and the limits of the architect’s authority — all shaping how a firm structures its contracts and liability exposure.
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 role during construction: reviewing pay apps, issuing certificates, handling disputes, and determining substantial completion.
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 their order of precedence. Drawings govern over specs when there is a conflict, unless noted otherwise.
Article 2
Owner’s rights and responsibilities
The owner must provide evidence of financing, share information about the site, and respond to the contractor’s requests in a timely manner.
Article 3
Contractor’s responsibilities
The contractor is responsible for means, methods, and site safety. The contractor must also review documents and 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 makes impartial decisions on matters involving the contractor. The architect’s interpretations are final unless disputed through the claims process.
Article 7
Changes in the work
Covers Change Orders, Construction Change Directives (CCDs), and minor changes. Only the architect can issue a CCD when the owner and contractor cannot agree — one of the most tested concepts in CE and PjM.
Article 9
Payments and completion
Defines the schedule of values, application for payment process, substantial completion, and final payment. The architect certifies payment — not the owner — within 7 days of receiving the contractor’s application.
Article 15
Claims and disputes
Establishes the dispute resolution process: claims must be submitted within 21 days of the event. Initial decisions are made by the architect, followed by mediation, then arbitration or litigation.
Common exam traps
- 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 Construction Change Directive is used when there is no agreement — a Change Order requires all three parties to sign.
- The 7-day and 21-day time limits in Articles 9 and 15 are frequently tested.
- The architect acts as an impartial interpreter of the contract — not solely as the owner’s advocate.
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.
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.