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The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has today launched a consultation on proposals to modernise the Prescribed Examination. The proposals will provide a clearer and more transparent route to registration for people who do not hold ARB-accredited qualifications but can demonstrate an equivalent standard of academic competence.
The consultation seeks views on proposed changes to how the examination would operate, together with new guidance on eligibility and changes to ARB’s Registration Rules.
The proposals are intended to improve access to the Register for competent individuals by simplifying the assessment process and removing unintended complexity and barriers, while maintaining the high standards required for registration.
Under the proposals, the examination would consist of three stages:
- an application stage to determine eligibility;
- a review of a self-assessment and portfolio of evidence demonstrating the Academic Outcomes; and
- an online interview with examiners to explore the applicant’s evidence and understanding of the Academic Outcomes.
The consultation also proposes introducing clearer and more consistent eligibility requirements. To be eligible to sit the exam applicants would need to hold a qualification assessed as comparable to a UK Level 7 (RQF) qualification in architecture or a relevant discipline. This will provide a more transparent and objective approach to determining eligibility, while reducing the need for case-by-case assessments of overseas qualifications.
The proposals align the Prescribed Examination with ARB’s outcomes-based framework for initial education and training and would assess the Academic Outcomes. Applicants would still need to meet ARB’s Practice Outcomes through the relevant practical experience and professional assessment requirements before joining the Register.
ARB is inviting feedback from applicants, educators, employers, professional bodies and others with an interest in architectural education and registration to gather views on whether these requirements are clear, fair and proportionate, and to assess the impact on internationally qualified applicants.
Alan Kershaw, Chair of the Architects Registration Board:
“The Prescribed Examination plays an important role in providing access to registration for people who have followed different educational routes but can demonstrate the knowledge and academic competence expected of architects.
These proposals are designed to create a more modern, transparent and outcomes-focused assessment that aligns with our wider reforms to architectural education and training. We want to ensure the examination remains robust while making the process clearer and more accessible for applicants.
We encourage everyone with an interest in architectural education and registration to share their views through the consultation and help shape our final approach.”
The consultation will close on 16 September 2026.
Following the consultation and subject to Board approval, the updated Prescribed Examination is expected to be introduced in spring 2027.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Useful links:
ARB Consultation: Prescribed Examination
Draft Registration Rule Changes
Draft Prescribed Exam Policy Scheme
Draft Eligibility Guidance
ARB Competency Outcomes
About ARB
ARB is an independent professional regulator, established by Parliament as a statutory body, through the Architects Act, in 1997. We are accountable to government.
The law gives ARB a number of core functions:
- To ensure only those who are suitably competent are allowed to practise as architects. We do this by approving the architecture qualifications required to join the Register of Architects.
- To maintain a publicly available Register of architects so anyone using the services of an architect can be confident that they are suitably qualified and are fit to practise.
- To set the standards of conduct and practice the profession must meet and take action when any architect falls below the required standards of conduct or competence.
- To set requirements for and monitor the continuous professional development that architects must undertake, to provide assurance to the public about the continuing competence of the profession.
- To protect the legally restricted title ‘architect’.
For more information, please contact media@arb.org.uk