Overseas and other non-recognised qualifications

Important information for candidates – please read

The Criteria used by ARB for monitoring and prescribing qualifications were revised in September 2011.  To ensure standards of competence are maintained across ARB’s routes to registration, the 2011 Criteria must also be applied to the Prescribed Examination.  The revised Criteria will become effective from 1 January 2012.  The deadline for applying under the current Criteria is 31 December 2011, and the associated examinations must be completed by no later than 31 March 2012, after which point no transitional arrangements will apply.

Candidates currently preparing for Prescribed Examination should note that any applications made on or after 1 January 2012 must be based on the new Criteria, which will require a different mapping exercise and prescribed material. Candidates whose applications arrive after 1 January 2012 and which are made against the outgoing criteria will be required to resubmit the Criteria-based parts of their application and may need to adduce further application documents, if necessary.  Candidates who are in the process of re-applying following previous applications should note that these changes will also apply to their applications.

You can read the new Criteria here.

For more information about the Prescribed Examination’s status in other European member states, please click here.

The Examination for Equivalence to Prescribed Qualifications

ARB has prepared this suite of booklets to guide you through your application and examination.

Please take time to read them carefully so you understand the process before downloading any forms or submitting your application.

ARB would like to thank the Centre for Education in the Built Environment at Cardiff University for its assistance in developing these documents.

The booklets are in Adobe PDF format.

Initial guidance booklets

Detailed guidance booklets

Templates and forms