Schools may seek Initial Validation of courses and examinations previously designated a 'Candidate Course for Recognition' once the first cohort of students has completed the course. The procedures for Initial Validation are essentially the same as for Revalidation but the range of possible recommendations and outcomes differs.

The information on composition of the Visiting Board, documentation required prior to a visit, the timetable and facilities and information required during the visit outlined in section 2.1 to 2.4 above apply equally to Visiting Boards held for the purposes of Initial Validation, except that the Visiting Board will have reference to documentation from the RIBA Validation Co-ordinator and the ARB Reporting Officer as well as any preliminary Visiting Board Report.

As a result of a Visiting Board one of the following will be recommended:

Validation. Where courses and examinations have achieved the necessary standard, validation is recommended for a period of five years, from the date specified in the report. The next visit will normally be in five years time. Where appropriate, this will be arranged to coincide with the next quinquennial visit by the Visiting Board to the school of architecture.

Candidate Course for Recognition. Where courses and examinations have yet to achieve the necessary standards but the Visiting Board judges they are likely to do so within the next two years, the course is not recommended for validation but to continue as a 'Candidate Course for Recognition', with a further Visiting Board to be held in two years. Conditions may be attached to this recommendation.

Withdrawal of 'Candidate Course for Recognition' status. Where courses and examinations have failed to achieve the necessary standards and are judged unlikely to do so within the next two years the course will not be recommended for validation and it will be recommended that Candidate Course for Recognition status be withdrawn.

The recommendations of the Visiting Board are recorded in its report. Reports follow the standard format which is given in outline in Appendix 3. In summary, the report on an Initial Validation visit records the documentation available to the Visiting Board, the full titles of courses and examinations recommended for validation, standard requirements of validation, advice on improvement and a commentary.

The standard requirements are for the Institution to appoint external examiners, and to inform the RIBA and the ARB of any significant changes to the courses and examinations during the period of validation. The RIBA and the ARB will confirm to each that the other has been notified. All other aspects of the report and the arrangements for ratification through the RIBA and ARB are as for Revalidation (see section 2)