Part Three Qualifications

Part Three Qualifications (28/07/2000)

At the meeting of the Architects Registration Board on 18 July 2000, the Board members discussed at some length matters pertaining to the requirement under the Architects Act 1997 that architects complete and pass the Part Three qualification before seeking registration.

The Board considered the domain-specific nature of Part Three. It noted that it is a professional practice examination which covers a range of subjects, including UK planning law, building regulations and related legislation, as well as health and safety issues. ARB regards full understanding of these matters as crucial to the development of competent professionals and vital for consumer protection.

The Board did, however, agree that a number of issues relating to Part Three required further clarification, notably with regard to recognition of vocational qualifications and equivalence under Directive 85/384/EEC. It additionally re-examined Section 5 of the Act, which requires that the ARB accepts onto the Register citizens of the EEA having achieved the equivalent of Parts One and Two qualifications, along with a specified period of practical training experience.

It was the very strong view of the Board that the ARB was constituted by Government with a dual mandate to protect both the consumer and the profession, and that this function was paramount. The content and nature of the Part Three examination play a fundamental role in ensuring that architects in this country are fully equipped to practise, and on this basis, the ARB will defend the Act and insist that Part Three remains mandatory for UK nationals seeking registration. It will not, therefore, entertain any applications from UK individuals seeking to avoid this crucial part of an architect's training and register inappropriately.

The Board noted that it is on issues related to professional conduct and business practice, rather than technical ability or design quality that the ARB is most often called upon by consumers to take action.

The Board applauded the work of the RIBA and a number of Architectural Schools in seeking to ensure that the standards of the Part Three qualification are maintained, and pledged its full support to this aim. It also stressed that the importance it placed upon the qualification was derived from the ongoing desire expressed by architects themselves to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity in this manner.