Background – In order to ensure that the qualifications and practical training experience UK graduates need for registration as an architect are appropriate, the Board has established Criteria and Procedures. The Board uses these documents to prescribe or recognise qualifications in architecture. These are reviewed regularly and are updated as necessary. In November, we reported on the progress that had been made in relation to our ‘business as usual’ reviews of our Criteria and Procedures since they began in July.

Latest developments – At the most recent Board meeting, the Board noted that our Criteria and Procedures Task and Finish Groups had been reviewing the feedback we gathered through the autumn pre-consultation period and had started work on redrafting both the Criteria and the Procedures documents.  Following the Board’s decision that we should hold further discussions with the RIBA, we have now formed a Joint Criteria Working Group in order to try and develop a set of Criteria which we can continue to hold in common and will meet the objectives of both ARB and the RIBA.  The initial Joint Criteria Working Group meeting will be taking place in late February.  We are aiming to provide the Board with revised drafts of the Criteria and the Procedures at its May meeting for consideration.  If the Board is satisfied with the drafts, they will then be issued for formal consultation over the summer.  We will continue to engage with our stakeholders throughout the process of developing both the Criteria and Procedures over the coming weeks.

We have created a webpage where we post updates on this project.  Additional updates can also be found via our social media channels – follow @ARBUK1997 on Twitter to keep up to date.