Returning to the register

If you wish to apply to rejoin the Register, the overall cost and the time it takes to process your application will depend upon a) how you left the Register and b) how much time has passed since you were last registered.

Applications for rejoining the Register are divided into the following categories:

• Readmission – if you resigned voluntarily from the Register
• Reinstatement – if you were removed from the Register because you did not pay the annual retention fee (Section 13 of the Architects Act 1997 refers)
• Re-Entry – if you were removed from the Register because you did not report a change of address (Section 11 of the Architects Act 1997 refers)

In addition, if you left the Register more than two years ago, you will be required to submit additional documentary evidence to demonstrate your competence to practise, in accordance with Rule 20 of the Board’s General Rules.

It is important that you read the following before proceeding.

• The Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice. 
• The Board’s General Rules
• The Professional Conduct Committee and Investigations Committee Rules

Please take a moment to decide which of the following five numbered sections applies to you, then complete and return your application with your payment and relevant documents..

If you are unsure of the date or method of your removal from the Register, please call us on 020 7580 5861 for clarification or send an e-mail to registrationdepartment@arb.org.uk.

Let us know if you are unable to download the forms, and we can send you the application information by e-mail or by post. .

1. Readmission within two years of voluntary resignation

If you apply to rejoin the Register within two years after you resigned, you will need to:

• complete a readmission (under two years) application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply. 
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

2. Readmission over two years after voluntary resignation

If you apply to rejoin the Register more than two years after you resigned, your application will be considered by our Competency Standards Group. You will need to provide additional information about yourself so that the Group can judge whether you are competent to practise. You will need to:

• complete a readmission (over two years) application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• submit additional documents to assist the Group in making a recommendation to the Registrar about your application.  These include a detailed CV, a minumum of two references, and evidence of the continuous professional development (CPD) you have undertaken since leaving the Register, in particular in the two years immediately before your application to rejoin
• pay twice the amount of the retention fee for the year in which you apply. 
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

3. Reinstatement within two years of removal for non-payment of the retention fee

If you apply to rejoin the Register within two years after you were removed, you will need to:

• complete a reinstatement (under two years) application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply, plus an additional prescribed fee of the same amount. 
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

4. Reinstatement over two years after removal for non-payment of the retention fee

If you apply to rejoin the Register more than two years after you were removed, your application will be considered by our Competency Standards Group. You will need to provide additional information about yourself so that the Group can judge whether you are competent to practise. You will need to:

• complete a reinstatement (over two years) application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• submit additional documents to assist the Group in making a recommendation to the Registrar about your application.  These include a detailed CV, a minumum of two references, and evidence of the continuous professional development (CPD) you have undertaken since leaving the Register, in particular in the two years immediately before your application to rejoin
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply, plus an additional prescribed fee of twice that amount.
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

5. Re-entry after removal for not reporting a change of address

If you apply to rejoin the Register up to 31 December in the same year that you were removed, you will need to:

• complete a Re-entry application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply.
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

If you apply to rejoin the Register after the end of the year in which you were removed but still within two years of the date of your removal, you will need to:

• complete a Re-entry application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply, plus an additional prescribed fee of the same amount.
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.

If you apply to rejoin the Register more than two years after you were removed, your application will be considered by our Competency Standards Group. You will need to provide additional information about yourself so that the Group can judge whether you are competent to practise. You will need to:

• complete a Re-entry application form
• submit a PII statement of compliance confirming you are, where necessary, covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance under Standard 8 of the Architects Code
• submit additional documents to assist the Group in making a recommendation to the Registrar about your application.  These include a detailed CV, a minumum of two references, and evidence of the continuous professional development (CPD) you have undertaken since leaving the Register, in particular in the two years immediately before your application to rejoin
• pay the full retention fee for the year in which you apply, plus an additional prescribed fee of twice that amount.
• you can only pay for your application by cheque or credit/debit card, although we recommend that you take advantage of the direct debit system for future retention fee payments.
• please note that once you are back on the Register, your first annual retention fee payment will become due at the beginning of January in the following year.