Architects from UK, US, Australia and New Zealand gain new mutual recognition routes
April 2023The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has recently entered into two Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA). The first is with the US’s National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the second is a joint MRA with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).
The MRAs allow eligible architects to take advantage of a simplified registration process, reducing costs and examinations, thus making it more convenient for them to register in other countries.
James Hutchinson, a Partner at Beale & Co said:
“The mutual recognition agreements will simplify the pathway for architects to qualify between the UK and Australia/New Zealand and the UK and the US.
Over the years we have assisted numerous US, Australian and New Zealand architectural and engineering clients to setup in the UK, acquire UK businesses and to secure projects. Mutual recognition will enhance opportunities for our UK and international clients by reducing unnecessary barriers to trade.”
Current position
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, automatic mutual recognition of professional qualifications for UK architects working in the EU and vice versa has ceased. The ARB has implemented temporary measures recognising specific qualifications. Although the ARB is seeking to negotiate a new agreement with the EU under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, this process is expected to be time-consuming.
In the meantime, the ARB can now establish MRAs with regulators worldwide without adhering to EU legislation.
MRA between NCARB and ARB
On 16 February 2023, the NCARB and the ARB entered into an MRA. NCARB represents the architectural licensing boards of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Starting Tuesday 25 April 2023, applicants can take advantage of this route.
The MRA has been entered into to recognise the professional credentials and qualifications of architects licensed or registered in the US and its territories and the UK and to support their mobility by creating the opportunity to work beyond their borders.
How do UK architects qualify in the US?
UK to US applicants need to have secured prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with the ARB, which needs to be confirmed by the ARB. NCARB will issue an NCARB Certificate under the MRA for participating member registration boards in the US. UK applicants also need to complete any jurisdiction-specific requirements specified by a participating NCARB member registration board.
Unfortunately, EU qualified architects who joined the UK Architects Register are not eligible, as the MRA does not accommodate those who have joined through another reciprocal agreement.
Further information is available at: https://www.ncarb.org/press/new-reciprocity-agreement-signed-united-states-and-united-kingdom.
How do US architects qualify in the UK?
US to UK applicants require a current NCARB Certificate confirming successful completion of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) and have completed NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program; and have passed the NCARB Architect Registration Examination or its equivalent. US applicants must also be currently licensed/registered in good standing by one or more NCARB Member Board(s) that is a participant to the MRA.
US to UK architects will need to pass ARB’s UK Adaptation Assessment before being admitted to the UK Architects Register.
Further information is available at: https://arb.org.uk/international-routes/ncarb-and-arb-mutual-recognition-agreement-information/.
MRA between AACA, NZRAB and ARB
On 15 March 2023, the AACA, the NZRAB and the ARB entered into an MRA. It covers the entirety of the UK, New Zealand and Australia.
The new route to registration will be open to applicants from Thursday 25 May 2023.
How do UK architects qualify in Australia and New Zealand?
UK to Australia applicants will need to have secured ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with ARB, which will be confirmed by ARB on a certificate of eligibility. UK architects will need to meet additional requirements set by the AACA, following which AACA will issue an AACA Statement pursuant to the MRA to take to state and territory registration boards in Australia to facilitate registration.
An architect is also an eligible UK to Australia architect if they have:
- secured accredited Australian or New Zealand qualifications issued by Schools of Architecture in Australia or New Zealand, and have secured equivalence at UK Part 1 and Part 2 level having undertaken assessment by ARB (such as the Prescribed Examination);
- and secured an ARB-prescribed qualification issued by a school of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 3 level;
- and successfully completed any additional requirements of the AACA, and obtained an AACA Statement;
or
- secured UK prescribed qualifications at Part 1 and Part 2;
- and successfully completed any additional requirements of the AACA, and obtained an AACA Statement.
UK to New Zealand applicants will need to have secured ARB prescribed qualifications at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level and be registered and in good standing with ARB, which will be confirmed by ARB on a certificate of eligibility. UK architects will then need to apply to NZRAB for registration and meet any additional requirements set by them.
An architect is also an eligible UK to New Zealand architect if they have:
- secured accredited Australian or New Zealand qualifications issued by Schools of Architecture in Australia or New Zealand, and have secured equivalence at UK Part 1 and Part 2 level, having undertaken assessment by ARB (such as the Prescribed Examination);
- and secured an ARB-prescribed qualification issued by a school of architecture in the United Kingdom at Part 3 level;
- and successfully completed any additional requirements of NZRAB;
or
- secured UK prescribed qualifications at Part 1 and Part 2;
- and successfully completed any additional requirements of NZRAB.
Unfortunately, EU qualified architects who joined the UK Architects Register are not eligible, as the MRA does not accommodate those who have joined through another reciprocal agreement.
Further information on qualifying in Australia is available at: https://aaca.org.au/mutual-recognition/united-kingdom/ and in New Zealand at: https://www.nzrab.nz/c/Alt-To-Apply.
How do Australian and New Zealand architects qualify in the UK?
Australian and New Zealand architects should get in touch with the AACA or the NZRAB to begin the process of certification confirming that they qualify to make use of the MRA. These bodies will then issue a certificate to qualifying applicants and this will also be transmitted to the ARB. The ARB will then contact qualifying applications with details of next steps.
It is expected that closer to 25 May 2023, further details will be published on the ARB’s website at: https://arb.org.uk/international-routes/aaca-nzrab-and-arb-mutual-recognition-agreement-information/.
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