What we do

Our work, with its supporting functions, is derived from the 1997 Architects Act.  Our key statutory functions are:

• Prescribing – or ‘recognising’ the qualifications needed to become an architect
• Keeping the UK Register of Architects
• Ensuring that architects meet our standards for conduct and practice
• Investigating complaints about an architect’s conduct or competence
• Making sure that only people on our register use the title ‘architect’.

The activities we undertake to support these functions are:

Corporate Activities

• Management of ARB’s IT system
• Development and maintenance of the website
• General office management
• Maintaining building services
• Health and safety
• Running the business of the Audit and Remuneration Committees
• Budget management and financial information
• Annual budgets and cashflows
• Monitoring investment portfolio
• Banking administration
• Managing the direct debit system
• Production of ARB’s literature
• Communications
• Human resources
• Support services: secretarial, front of house, administrative

Qualifications Department

• Developing and implementing policies relating to the Board’s prescription of architectural qualifications
• European legislative process and European affairs
• Liaison with government departments/RIBA/other external bodies in relation to educational issues/Architects Council of Europe
• Managing the process for prescription of Qualifications
• Liaison with UK schools and institutions of architecture
• Presentations to architectural students
• Managing the department’s budget
• Dealing with correspondence

Registration Department

• Production and maintenance of the Register
• Maintaining and updating ARB’s database
• Data Protection
• Dealing with applications from newly-qualified architects
• Issuing certificates of registration
• Overseeing the prescribed examination
• Implementing the Architects Act and European Directive
• Retention and other fee collection
• Managing the issue of registration cards
• Readmissions and reinstatements to the Register
• Removals from the Register due to death, resignation and non-payment of the retention fee
• Managing the process of competency standards where a person has been off the Register for more than two years
• Managing the department’s budget
• Dealing with correspondence

Professional Standards Department

• Managing complaints processes
• Running the business of the Investigations and Professional Conduct Committees
• Monitoring the development of regulation in society generally
• Liaison with stakeholders in the regulation process
• Keeping the Code of Conduct under review
• Monitoring and evaluating costs of investigation process and PCC hearings
• Prosecuting cases of misuse of title in the courts
• Monitoring progress of disciplinary cases sent to the Board’s solicitors for reports
• Dealing with post PCC judgment correspondence and queries
• Managing and maintaining the regulation database
• Managing the department’s budget
• Dealing with issues relating to Professional Indemnity Insurance