The Part 3 Qualification

The Part 3 Qualification (10/08/2004)

There have recently been suggestions in the Architects’ Journal that in attaining the standards in Part 3 of the Board’s criteria, the Part 3 Qualification is not necessary before a person can be admitted to the Register of Architects, and that the Board cannot require Registrants to have reached that standard. This is incorrect.

The speculation has arisen in the context of the European Directive of 1985, commonly known as the Architects’ Directive. The Directive permits European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who have qualified in the UK and who wish to register in other EEA States to do so without having to pass any additional examinations. Reciprocally, those educated and trained as architects in other EEA States do not normally have to pass any examinations in the UK, including Part 3. However, many who choose to register in this way go on to complete Part 3, either because their employer requires this, or because they recognise that they cannot expect to make a successful career in the UK unless they are competent in the matters covered by Part 3.

The ARB Code of Conduct forbids architects to practise in areas where they are not competent, and many other European countries, as part of their own registration procedures, require that those qualifying within their territory gain practical experience and are examined in matters relating to professional practice, just as the ARB does.

The Architects Act 1997 set out various routes to registration which took into account the Directive. It is suggested that, nevertheless, there is some conflict between the Architects’ Directive and the Architects Act.

The Part 3 Qualification is a professional practice examination, which includes practical experience and covers a range of subjects, including UK Planning Law, Building Regulations and related legislation, as well as health and safety issues. Both the ARB and the profession regard full understanding of matters such as these as required before a person can be admitted to the Register and can practise as an architect in the United Kingdom. They are important for the protection of the public and clients of architects. It is on issues related to professional conduct and business practice, ie. matters dealt with at Part 3, rather than technical ability or design quality, that the ARB is most often called upon by complainants.

The ARB was constituted by Parliament, under the Architects Act 1997, with a dual mandate to protect the consumer and safeguard the profession. The content and nature of the Examination which demonstrates that the Part 3 standards have been met is fundamental in ensuring that architects in the United Kingdom are fully equipped for practice.

For these reasons, the Board considers that the requirement that all persons who have been educated and trained in the UK should have met the Part 3 standards (by having one of the requisite prescribed qualifications) is entirely justified, proportionate and necessary for public confidence in the ability of Registrants to meet the needs of practice in this country. The Board will therefore continue to maintain its policy, as it said it would in the year 2000 (when it last looked at the question). The Board is committed to delivering the Act as Parliament set it down. It continues to require Part 3 standards as a necessary pre-condition of registration for those educated and trained as architects in the UK.

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For further information on the Part 3 qualification, please contact Jon Levett, Head of Education, on 020 7580 5861, or by e-mail, jonl@arb.org.uk