Our statutory purpose

ARB’s purpose and objectivesOur statutory purpose
Our primary purpose is to deliver the Architects Act 1997. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, we maintain a statutory Register of Architects. We work to protect the title ‘architect’ and to ensure that architects are competent and behave with integrity. We set and maintain standards for entry to the Register of Architects, as well as the standards of conduct and practice which are expected of architects.

As a regulator, there are three core areas to our work:

  • Prescription of qualifications – We set the UK standards for entry to the profession (through the prescription of qualifications which lead to registered status);
  • Statutory Register – We maintain the statutory Register of Architects and control admission to the Register;
  • Professional Standards – We ensure architects are acting in line with the Code of Conduct. We deal with complaints about architects who have not met the established standards of conduct and competence and about those who are not architects but who misuse the title.

Two objectives from the Act underpin all of our work.

These are:

Protect the users and potential users of architects’ services:
We will protect the users and potential users of architects’ services by regulating architects so that the public can be confident that architects are appropriately qualified. We will raise the public’s awareness of the Register.

Support architects through regulation:
We will maintain and publicly demonstrate the status of architects as competent, qualified professionals, and we will regulate use of the title ‘architect’. We will raise awareness of the Architects Code of Conduct and Practice and the need for those on the Register to maintain their competence.

Regulatory-Role

What ARB does
Our responsibilities are set out within the Architects Act 1997, and are outlined below:

  • To maintain and publish the Register of Architects.
  • To prescribe (‘recognise’) the qualifications needed to become an architect.
  • To register those who meet ARB’s requirements for qualifications, experience and competence and those who meet EU requirements.
  • To set standards for professional competence.
  • To issue a code laying down standards of conduct and practice expected of architects.
  • To regulate use of the title ‘architect’.
  • To deal with complaints and enquiries from members of the public regarding the conduct and competence of architects.
  • To be the Competent Authority for architects in the UK. In this capacity, ARB liaises with its counterparts in other European countries to fulfil its obligations.