How to register

If you obtained your qualifications in the United Kingdom (or have had your qualifications assessed or examined by ARB) and have not previously been registered as an architect in the United Kingdom, you can apply for registration using our online portal Applying for registration online is both quick and secure, and can be done at a time and place that is most convenient for you.

To complete your application online you will need the following to hand:

• Proof of your identity
  i.e. an uploadable copy of your passport, national identity card, biometric residence permit, UK certificate of naturalisation, or birth/adoption certificate.
• Your regular business address
  The place where you can usually be found during working hours. (If you do not have a business address, you will need to supply an alternative address to be published in the Register of Architects. You will need to update us with your business address as soon as this is available.)
• Your qualifications
  Details of your UK Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 qualifications, including which school of architecture awarded each qualification, when the qualification was awarded, the formal title of the qualification and uploadable evidence of its award (certificate, diploma etc.) If you have passed ARB's Prescribed Examination or have been assessed under previous arrangements, please let us have a copy of the letter confirming the result.
  
  If you obtained your Part 3 qualification over two years ago, your application will be reviewed by ARB's Competency Standards Group. This review is necessary under Rule 20 of the ARB's General Rules, and requires you to demonstrate your competence to practise when registering. Your application will not be reviewed if it is made within two years of completing your Part 3 qualification. However, where your Part 3 qualification falls outside this period, the Board requires an additional assurance of competence. You will need to provide additional information and evidence for this purpose (i.e. references, evidence of continuing professional development, detailed curriculum vitae, and a statement for admission). This information will then be reviewed by the Competency Standards Group, who are all architects, before making a recommendation to the Registrar. Guidance on the process can be found here. If the information you provide in the first instance is not sufficient to satisfy the Group, we may need to ask you to provide further information before we are able to take your application forward.
• Credit/Debit Card
  To submit your online application you must pay all relevant fees online via WorldPay (ARB's online payments agent) using a credit or debit card. We accept MasterCard, Debit MasterCard, Visa Credit, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, Maestro, and JCB.

Important - please note
You cannot submit an online application and pay the relevant fees offline (e.g. by posting us a cheque). If you are unable to pay the relevant fees online using one of the accepted credit/debit cards, you should instead apply by post using our downloadable application form.

You need not complete your application form in one sitting. As you progress through each step, the information you provide will be saved automatically so you can log out of the portal and log in again later to continue working on your application. Your application will only be submitted to us once you have completed it in full and your payment transaction has been completed.


Apply using our online portal


If you would prefer to submit your application by post, please click here to download the relevant form.

It is important that you read the following before submitting your application:

• Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice
• Board's General Rules
• Professional Conduct Committee and Investigations Committee Rules
• Guidance on Professional Indemnity Insurance

If you obtained your qualifications in the European Union and have not previously been registered as an architect in the United Kingdom, you can apply for registration using our online portal  You can use this facility even if you have made an unsuccessful application in the past. Applying for registration online is both quick and secure, and can be done at a time and place that is most convenient for you.

To complete your application online you will need the following to hand:

• Proof of your identity
  If you are an EEA National, we need an uploadable copy of your passport or National Identity card.
  If you are not an EEA National but you have an enforceable Community right, we ask you to upload a copy of your passport or National Identity card, a copy of your marriage certificate and a copy your spouse/partners' passport or National Identity card.
• Your regular business address
  The business address where you can usually be found during working hours. (If you do not have a business address, you will need to supply an alternative address to be published in the Register of Architects.)
• Your qualification
  Details of your qualification, including the name of the school of architecture which awarded the qualification, the date the qualification was awarded, the full title of the qualification and uploadable evidence of its award (certificate, diploma etc.) You will also need to supply a statement from your home competent authority to confirm that your qualification is covered by the Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EC) and that you have access to the profession of architect in that member state. Please note that this statement should refer to the Directive and not national law in your home state and must be no more than 12 months old when submitted.
• Credit/Debit Card
  To submit your online application you must pay all relevant fees online via WorldPay (ARB's online payments agent) using a credit or debit card. We accept MasterCard, Debit MasterCard, Visa Credit, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, Maestro, and JCB.

Important - please note
You cannot submit an online application and pay the relevant fees offline (e.g. by posting us a cheque). If you are unable to pay the relevant fees online using one of the accepted credit/debit cards, you should instead apply by post using our downloadable application form.

You need not complete your application form in one sitting. As you progress through each step, the information you provide will be saved automatically so you can log out of the portal and log in again later to continue working on your application. Your application will only be submitted to us once you have completed it in full and your payment transaction has been completed.

Apply here using our online portal

If you would prefer to submit your application by post, please click here.

It is important that you read the following before submitting your application:

• Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice
• Board's General Rules
• Professional Conduct Committee and Investigations Committee Rules
• Guidance on Professional Indemnity Insurance

ARB does not directly recognise any qualifications from outside the United Kingdom (ARB prescribed qualifications) other than those listed under the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC when held by nationals of EU Member States or those with other enforceable EC rights.

All other applicants will need to pass the Board’s own Prescribed Examination at the relevant level if they wish to progress towards registering as an architect in the UK. Please note those holding EU qualifications at degree level, that is equivalent to Part 1, will be required to sit the examination at Part 1 level as the Directive does not provide for qualifications at degree level only.

Applicants for the Part 1 Examination must have successfully completed a three year course of study; applicants for Part 2 must already hold Part 1 and have completed two further years of postgraduate study in architecture.  You can find full details of eligibility requirements in the Board’s Prescribed Examination Procedures.

Applicants who successfully complete the UK Part 1 and Part 2 qualifications and/or gain equivalence through ARB’s Prescribed Examination, must then complete a Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice and Management at a UK school of architecture if they wish to register as an architect in the United Kingdom.  The schools that run courses leading to prescribed qualifications can be found in the Qualifications Section of the website.

ARB has prepared a series of videos together with a suite of booklets to guide you through your application and examination. The videos provide a general overview of the process whilst the guidance booklets provide more detailed information. Please take time to read them carefully so you understand the process before downloading any forms or submitting your application.

The Examination process judges individual candidates against the Criteria, which are held in common with UK schools of architecture.  You can read the criteria here.
 

Guidance Documents

Examination Procedures

Forms and Templates

European citizens and others with enforceable European rights who are qualified in their home European country are entitled to provide temporary and occasional services in other European countries, including the United Kingdom. In order to be included in ARB’s list of architects providing services, you will need to fill out an application form and send that to us with the following documents:

• Evidence to confirm that you are an EEA national (or have enforceable European rights)
• Evidence you have established as an architect in another European Member State
• A copy of your professional qualification

(If you are moving to the UK from an unregulated European country and you have not undertaken regulated education, leading to your professional status, you will also need to let us have evidence that you have acquired at least two years professional experience as an architect during the last ten years in that country. )

After your application has been accepted, your name will be entered in “Part 2 of the Register” which is reserved for visiting EEA architects. There is no charge for inclusion in Part 2 or the Register, as your professional fees are being paid in another European country. We will generally notify you of the outcome of your application within one month of receipt.

Use of the title “architect”
Architects in Part 2 of the Register are entitled to use the professional title held by them in the European State in which they are established, unless they are also eligible for permanent establishment in the UK based upon the professional qualifications which they hold. We will notify you of the title you are able to use when confirming your inclusion in Part 2 of the Register. If you continue to provide services, your registration will be renewable on an annual basis.

Please note that this form is for those who are not in the UK on a full time basis. If you are applying for permanent establishment, you need to apply through our main European route, which you will see above in this section of the website.

Download application form
 

  If you have previously been registered as an architect in the UK and would now like to re-join the Register, you can do so using our online portal Applying for registration online is both quick and secure, and can be done at a time and place that is most convenient for you.

To complete your application online you will need the following to hand:

• ARB Registration Number
  You must have your unique ARB (or ARCUK) Registration Number. If you do not have this information and wish to apply online, please contact us and we will be happy to provide it to you.
• Your regular business address
  The Architects Act 1997 requires us to record your business address in the Register. This is the address where you can usually be found during working hours. If you do not have a business address, you must supply an alternative (e.g. home address) where you can usually be found during working hours. As the Register is a public document, your address details will always be made public.
• Credit/Debit Card
  To submit your online application you must pay all relevant fees online via WorldPay (ARB's online payments agent) using a credit or debit card. We accept MasterCard, Debit MasterCard, Visa Credit, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, Maestro, and JCB.
• Change of Name
  If your name has changed since you were last on the Register, you will need to upload the relevant document to support the change in your circumstances, for example a marriage certificate, or deed poll certificate.
• If you have been off the Register for more than two years, your application will need to be reviewed by ARB's Competency Standards Group. This review is necessary under Rule 20 of the ARB's General Rules, and requires you to demonstrate your competence to practise when registering. You will need to provide additional information and evidence for this purpose (i.e. references, evidence of continuing professional development, detailed curriculum vitae, and a statement for admission). This information will then be considered by a peer group of architects, the Competency Standards Group, who will need to satisfy themselves that you have maintained your competence before making a recommendation to the Registrar. If the information you provide is not sufficient to satisfy the Group, we may need to ask you to provide further information before we are able to take your application forward.We aim to process applications within eight weeks of receipt.  However, the speedwith which we can process each application will depend on whether you have provided the information we requested and that it is of sufficient quality.

Important - please note
You cannot submit an online application and pay the relevant fees offline (e.g. by posting us a cheque). If you are unable to pay the relevant fees online using one of the accepted credit/debit cards, you should instead apply by post using our downloadable application forms.

You need not complete your online application in one sitting. As you progress through each step, the information you provide will be saved automatically so you can log out of the portal and log in again later to continue working on your application. Your application will only be submitted to us once you have completed it in full and your payment transaction has been completed.

The relevant fees for re-joining the Register can be found here. Please note that fees for re-joining the Register will vary, depending on the timing of your application and the circumstances applying to any previous resignation or removal from the Register.

Apply here using our online portal

If you would prefer to download and submit your application by post, please click here.

These fees take effect from1 January 2013. 2012 fees are here.

1. UK Qualifications

   (a) First registration within two years of passing Part 3 examination

   Period	Application  fee	Registration fee	Total fee
   January – March	£35	£98.50	£133.50
   April – June	£35	£73.95	£108.95
   July – September	£35	£49.30	£84.30
   October – December	£35	£24.62	£59.65

   (b) First registration over two years of passing Part 3 examination

   Period	Application  fee	Registration fee	Total fee
   January – March	£110	£98.50	£208.50
   April – June	£110	£73.95	£183.95
   July – September	£110	£49.30	£159.30
   October – December	£110	£24.65	£134.65

2. Qualifications recognised under the Professional Qualifications Directive

   Period	Application  fee	Registration fee	Total fee
   January – March	£35	£98.50	£133.50
   April – June	£35	£73.95	£108.95
   July – September	£35	£49.30	£84.30
   October – December	£35	£24.65	£59.65

3. Prescribed Examination

   £1,671 per part

4. Rejoining the Register

   (a) Reinstatement to the Register after non-payment under two years

   Period	Application  fee	Penalty fee	Retention fee	Total fee
   January – March	£35	£40	£98.50	£173.50
   April – June	£35	£40	£73.95	£148.65
   July – September	£35	£40	£49.30	£124.30
   October – December	£35	£40	£24.65	£99.65

   (b) Reinstatement to the Register after non-payment over two years

   Period	Application  fee	Penalty fee	Retention fee	Total fee
   January – March	£110	£40	£98.50	£248.50
   April – June	£110	£40	£73.95	£223.95
   July – September	£110	£40	£49.30	£199.30
   October – December	£110	£40	£24.65	£174.65

   (c) Readmission after resignation from the Register under two years

   Period	Application  fee	Retention fee	Total fee
   January – March	£35	£98.50	£133.50
   April – June	£35	£73.95	£108.95
   July – September	£35	£49.30	£84.30
   October – December	£35	£24.65	£59.65

   (d) Readmission after resignation from the Register over two years

   Period	Application  fee	Retention fee	Total fee
   January – March	£110	£98.50	£208.50
   April – June	£110	£73.95	£183.95
   July – September	£110	£49.30	£159.30
   October – December	£110	£24.65	£134.65

Under Section 4(4)(b) of the Architects Act 1997, if the Registrar is not satisfied that an individual is entitled to be registered in Part 1 of the Register, s/he will recommend that the application is referred to the Board for decision.  If the Board refuses an application for registration in Part 1 of the Register, the applicant may appeal to the High Court.

It is a criminal offence under Section 7 of the Architects Act 1997 to attempt to become registered under the Act by making (whether orally or in writing) a false representation or declaration.

We take fraudulent applications very seriously and if an application is made under false pretences, we may take the appropriate steps to prosecute.

Please get in touch with us on +44 (0) 207 7580 5861 or email us at info@arb.org.uk if you would like any further information.