In September, we announced the retention fee had been held at £111. In order to remain on the Architects Register in 2020, you must pay your fee by midnight on 31 December 2019.

We don’t want anyone to be removed from the register who doesn’t want to be. We hope the information below is useful to you in making plans if you’re yet to make your payment.

How we use your fee

It’s your fee that funds our statutory work as a regulator, helping us to maintain standards, and therefore trust, in the profession. Our work ranges from prescribing the UK qualifications required to join the Register to protecting the title ‘architect’ and setting the professional standards for UK architects.

Why the deadline is 31 December

We’re bound by the Architects Act to work to a calendar year for registration (January-December). If the retention fee payment deadline was set part way through the year it could lead to ambiguity over someone’s registered status. For example if the payment deadline for 2020 registration was 28 February 2020 and an architect resigned from the Register on 27 February without paying a fee, they will have been listed on the Register for two months inappropriately.

Who can pay your fee

Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ensure your fee is paid by the deadline, though anyone is welcome to make payment on your behalf. If you believe your employer is paying for you, we recommend you double check with them to make sure so you’re confident your fee will be paid by the deadline. If you are in any doubt get in contact with us before the deadline.

Ways to pay

There are a range of ways you can pay your retention fee. You can pay online via our secure payment portal, all you’ll need is your credit/debit card and your ARB registration number.

You are also welcome to contact us on +44 (0) 20 7580 5861 to make payment over the phone.

To pay by bank transfer, please use the details below and quote your registration number so we can match the payment to you.

Bank: NatWest Plc
Account number: 36172618
Sort code: 60-09-15

More information

We have created FAQs to help explain the process and answer some of the commons questions we receive. We have information for those paying for themselves, as well as those coordinating payments on behalf of others.

The Architects Benevolent Society (ABS) is a charity which supports past and present architects. They help people of all ages who have experienced illness, accident, redundancy, unemployment, bereavement or other personal difficulties. If you have concerns about paying the retention fee, they can provide a range of support, from confidential advice to financial assistance.

Call 020 7580 2823
Email help@absnet.org.uk
Visit their website www.absnet.org.uk