Architects Act 1997

RegistrationU.K.

4 [F1Registration F2...: general]U.K.

(1)A person who has applied to the Registrar in the prescribed manner for registration F3... is entitled to be registered F4... if—

(a)he holds such qualifications and has gained such practical experience as may be prescribed; or

(b)he has a standard of competence which, in the opinion of the Board, is equivalent to that demonstrated by satisfying paragraph (a).

[F5(1A)But the Board may by rules provide that a person who satisfies subsection (1)(a) by reason of holding overseas qualifications or gaining overseas practical experience is entitled to be registered only if the person has undertaken such training, passed such test or met such other condition as is prescribed.]

(2)The Board may require a person who applies for registration on the ground that he satisfies subsection (1)(b) to pass a prescribed examination in architecture.

F6(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Before F7...—

(a)[F8prescribing] qualifications or practical experience for the purposes of subsection (1)(a);

[F9(aa)making rules under subsection (1A);] or

(b)[F10prescribing] any examination for the purposes of subsection (2),

the Board shall consult the bodies representative of architects which are incorporated by royal charter and such other professional and educational bodies as it thinks appropriate.

(4)Where a person has duly applied for registration F11...—

(a)if the Registrar is satisfied that the person is entitled to be registered F12..., he shall enter his name in F13... the Register; but

(b)if the Registrar is not so satisfied, he shall [F14refuse the application].

(5)The Registrar shall not consider an application for registration F15... in any case in which it is inappropriate for him to do so (for instance because he is in any way connected with the applicant) but in such a case he shall refer the application to the Board.

(6)Where a person’s application is referred to the Board under subsection F16... (5), the Board shall [F17

(a)direct the Registrar to enter the person’s name in the Register if it is satisfied that the person is entitled to be registered, or

(b)direct the Registrar to refuse the application if it is not so satisfied.]

F18(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F19(8)In this section—

  • overseas practical experience” means practical experience obtained mainly outside the United Kingdom;

  • overseas qualification” means a qualification issued by a body that is based outside the United Kingdom.

(9)For the purposes of subsection (8) a body is based—

(a)where its registered office is,

(b)if it does not have a registered office, where its head office is, or

(c)if it does not have a registered office or a head office, where its principal place of operation is.]

Textual Amendments

F16Words in s. 4(6) omitted (28.6.2022) by virtue of Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 158(3)(b)(i), 170(3)

F214ARegistration F20...: European qualificationsU.K.

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F225A Registration in Part 2 of the Register : Directive-rights nationals providing services U.K.

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F225B Titles to be used by persons registered in Part 2 of the Register U.K.

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F225CInformation to be given to recipients of the serviceU.K.

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F225DAdministrative co-operation with other relevant European StatesU.K.

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F225EComplaints by recipients of servicesU.K.

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6 Registration: further procedural requirements.U.K.

(1)The Board may require an applicant for registration F23... to pay a fee of a prescribed amount.

(2)The Board may require a candidate for any examination under section 4(2) to pay a fee of a prescribed amount.

F24(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)The Board may prescribe the information and evidence to be provided to the Registrar in connection with an application for registration F25....

F26(3A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F27(3B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3C)The Registrar shall deal expeditiously with all applications for registration.

[F28(4)The Registrar shall serve on an applicant F29... written notice of the decision on his application.

[F30(4A)A notice under subsection (4) shall be served—

[F31(a)in the case of an application by a person who in making the application relies on section 4(1)(a), within three months beginning with the date on which the application is made;]

(b)in any other case, within six months beginning with the date on which the application is made.]

(4B)Notice of a refusal [F32of an application] shall state reasons for the refusal.]

F33(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F28S. 6(4)-(4B) substituted for s. 6(4) (23.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/2842, art. 4(2)

F32Words in s. 6(4B) substituted (28.6.2022) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 158(4), 170(3)

[F346A.Issuing of certificates of architectural educationU.K.

(1)Where a person requests the Board to issue a certificate of architectural education confirming that the person’s training as an architect—

F35(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)gives that person entitlement under section 4 to be registered F36..., or

(c)includes prescribed or equivalent qualifications,

the Board may issue such a certificate to that person if the training F37... gives that entitlement or includes those qualifications.

(2)The Board may require a person making a request under subsection (1) to pay a fee of a prescribed amount.]

7 Penalty for obtaining registration[F38or recognition] by false representation.U.K.

[F39(1)A person commits an offence if the person intentionally—

(a)becomes or attempts to become registered under this Act, or

(b)does any of the things mentioned in subsection (1A) anywhere in or outside the United Kingdom.

(1A)Those things are—

(a)making to the Board or to the Registrar,

(b)producing to the Board or to the Registrar,

(c)causing to be made to the Board or to the Registrar, or

(d)causing to be produced to the Board or to the Registrar]

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.