Registration: answers to frequently asked questions

Retention Fee

Every architect is responsible for ensuring that their annual retention fee is paid in good time

Architects whose fees remain unpaid after 31 March with no explanation, will be automatically removed from the Register

Invoices are normally sent out to all architects one month before the fee becomes due

The retention fee is due on 1 January. The fee covers ARB registration for one year; it is not a membership fee or a subscription

Annual registration expires on 31 December, not on the date individuals were first registered

There is no reduced retention fee for retired architects. If they have ceased to practise, they have the option of resigning from the Register. In such cases, they can still call themselves "architect" socially. More information is available in our leaflet “Leaving or returning to the register”

Every architect is responsible for informing ARB promptly of any changes to their registered business address to avoid important correspondence going astray

In extreme circumstances, the Act states that the Registrar may remove an architect's name from the Register if they fail to respond to specific written requests to report a change of address

The Architects Act 1997 states that: "The Register shall show the regular business address of each registered person." This is the address at which they can be reached during normal business hours and is the only address we may communicate with. This will normally be a company address, but in certain circumstances (retirement, unemployment, undertaking temporary work, based permanently from home), a residential address may be used

Architects are registered as individuals, and therefore any information regarding amendments to their registration details must come from them alone

We cannot accept such notification from third parties, eg. family members, colleagues and/or professional bodies

Architects can report changes to us by post, fax, email or via the ARB website, but not by telephone

All changes of name must be reported in writing, accompanied by a photocopy of the relevant official document (marriage certificate, deed poll certificate, etc)

Architects may, at any time, request that their name be removed from the Register if they are not using the title in business or practice, or do not intend to do so on a short-term, long-term or permanent basis. These requests must be made in writing

Architects who fail to pay their annual retention fee by the due date without an explanation will be removed from the Register.

Architects who voluntarily resign and subsequently wish to return to the Register within two years must complete a readmission form and pay the retention fee for the year in question

Architects who voluntarily resign and subsequently wish to return to the Register more than two years later must complete a readmission form, pay a fee which equates to twice the retention fee for the year in question and submit additional information (CV, references, evidence of CPD) in support of their application, to demonstrate their competence to practise

Architects who are removed for non-payment and subsequently wish to return to the Register within two years must complete a reinstatement form and pay the retention fee for the year in question, plus an additional prescribed fee of the same amount

Architects who are removed for non-payment and subsequently wish to return to the Register more than two years later must complete a reinstatement form, pay a fee which equates to three times the retention fee for the year in question and submit additional information (CV, references, evidence of CPD) in support of their application, to demonstrate their competence to practice
Architects will never have to pay more than three times the current fee, no matter how long they have been off the Register

Standard 8 of the Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice states that architects should not undertake professional work without adequate and appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) cover

All architects are required to confirm that they are covered by PII (or are exempt from the provisions of Standard 8) by completing and returning an annual statement of compliance, which is included with their retention fee renewal mailing

Architects are under a duty to return this statement, whether they are employed, retired, residing in the UK or based abroad. Failure to do so may eventually lead to them being reported to the Investigations Committee with an allegation of unacceptable professional conduct

This PII may be their own or their employer's cover, or a combination of both, depending on their professional circumstances

Architects should arrange their own PII cover or ensure that their employer has PII in place

ARB does not recommend insurance providers, although a list of those who are active in the market appears on our website

Anyone who is seeking registration, readmission or reinstatement should complete and return a PII statement of compliance with their application

Details of the actual PII cover, eg. the policy itself, are not usually required

ARB is a statutory regulator set up by an Act of Parliament in 1997 to maintain a public Register of architects, to issue a code of conduct and practice for architects, and to prescribe qualifications for entry on to the Register

The title "architect" is protected by law - appropriately qualified individuals who wish to use the title in business or practice must be registered with ARB

ARB registration permits the addition of the word Architect after one's name on letterheads. Architects can also use ARB’s logo on their business stationery and signage. Guidelines on registered status have more information

All architects are bound by the regulations laid down in the Architects Act 1997 and the Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice. Copies are available on request, or on the website

Anyone who attempts to pass themselves off as an architect without being registered commits a criminal offence. We can prosecute these people in the courts
The above applies mainly to unscrupulous individuals who deliberately set out to deceive the public, although those who continue to practise, having knowingly or unknowingly been removed from the Register for whatever reason, commit the same offence.