The use of the title ‘architect’ is protected by law. Only people registered with the Architects Registration Board may use this title.
To obtain this title requires appropriate formal qualifications (typically a 5-year university degree) and experience, and involves passing of a three-part exam and interview process with a state registration board.
Architects in NSW must comply with the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct, which sets out the standards expected of an architect in professional practice. These include general ethical standards, methods of dealing with you, maintaining their professional insurance coverage, undertaking professional development to improve and maintain their skills, resolving disputes, and professional relationships with other architects. Architects must hold professional indemnity insurance appropriate to the services they provide and each year undertake professional development to maintain and improve their skills.
Registered architects are required to clearly display their registration number on any published material, including websites, business cards and architectural documentation.
You can check the status of an architect’s registration at the NSW architects website, by following the link below and selecting ‘search register’
https://www.architects.nsw.gov.au/
The NSW Architects Registration Board is a statutory authority responsible for registering architects, approving architectural education, conducting inquiries into the conduct of architects, investigating misuse of the title Architect and promoting a better understanding of architectural matters in the community.
The registration board has also prepared a document to assist the public in understanding the role and services provided by architects.
