A verification engine must encode a distinction that stale articles get wrong: architecture is a protected title, not a protected function. The word “architect” is protected under s.20 of the Architects Act 1997 — using it in practice or business without ARB registration is a criminal offence — but the act of designing a building is not reserved to architects (unlike, say, prescribing for a doctor). Established carve-outs exist for compound titles such as “naval architect”, “landscape architect” and “golf-course architect”. Two adjacent roles are not the protected title: an architectural assistant (a Part 1 or Part 2 working pre-registration) is not yet legally an “architect”, and an architectural technologist is a different profession entirely (regulated through CIAT, not ARB) — a verification surface must avoid mis-mapping either onto the protected title.
What it costs to qualify
Sources & verification
- The word 'architect' is a protected title under s.20 of the Architects Act 1997, but the function of designing a building is not reserved to architects; carve-outs exist for compound titles such as naval architect, landscape architect and golf-course architect, source, Last verified 2026-10-15
- ARB prosecutes misuse of the title 'architect'; published case studies document enforcement against people using the title without registration, source, Last verified 2026-06-10
- ARB annual registration (retention) fee, 2026: £225.00, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Prescribed Examination fee (overseas/non-recognised qualifications): £1,950 per part; £300 referral to lead examiner, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
- Proof of Qualification and Registration certificate: £80.00 per certificate, source, Last verified 2026-10-15 🔶
Verified reference information, not professional, medical, legal or careers advice. Regulations change; always check the cited primary source before relying on it.