The fee for 2021
The annual retention fee for 2021 has been set at £119.

We are committed to supporting architects and our many other stakeholders through the major challenges we all expect to face in 2021.  Decisions about the fee are always carefully considered, and the Board makes every effort to balance the impact on the profession with the requirements of delivering our statutory duties.

Over previous years, we have been able to limit fee rises despite an increase in our regulatory demands.  However, as more is being asked of ARB, we must increase the fee to deliver effective regulation and regulatory support for the profession. We are pleased to have been able to keep the fee lower than initially anticipated by using reserves to respond to expenditure demands.

Year                 Fee

2014                £105
2015                £107
2016                £107
2017                £107
2018                £107
2019                £111
2020                £111

 

Why there is a fee
We are the statutory regulator of UK architects, established by Parliament to deliver the Architects Act 1997.  As well as defining the laws around use of title, the Act also defines how ARB operates.

In the UK, an individual must join the Architects Register in order to legally call themselves an architect.  Architects pay an annual retention fee by 31 December the preceding year in order to remain registered in the new year.

The fee is the main source of income for funding our regulatory activities.  We are able to charge for a small number of other activities, including the Prescribed Examination and applications to join and re-join the Register. This is on cost recovery basis only, and on a ‘user pays’ basis so that only those that use these services are charged for them. Money raised from misuse of title and architect disciplinary fines are paid to HM Treasury, not to us.

We can divert funds from our mandatory reserves to minimising the impact on the fee when responding to unbudgeted expenditure – which is what we have done for 2021.

 

What it will be used for
In addition to delivering our general statutory remit, the fee will be used to deliver key strategic projects that ensure we continue to have an effective regulatory system that enables the profession to thrive and assures the public of architects’ competence.

Strategic projects

• Supporting architects and other stakeholders through the regulatory changes of EU Exit.
• Supporting schools of architecture and architects with guidance on standards relating to the Building Safety legislation and policies on tackling the climate emergency.
• Continuing its wide-ranging research to inform the review of the competences required to join and remain on the Architects Register.
• Initiating improvements to the policies and systems which underpin the prescription process – the way ARB recognises the UK qualifications that provide access to the Register.
• Completing a review of ARB’s professional conduct processes and systems to further improve consumer protection standards and uphold the reputation of the profession.
• Improving the online Register to help make it easier for potential clients to confirm whether someone is a genuine architect and make an informed choice about who to hire for their project.
• Updating cyber security and IT infrastructure, and investing in new digital systems that improve access to ARB and will meet the demands of post-COVID working practices.

Statutory remit

• Maintaining the Architects Register, a public tool used to confirm whether someone is a UK architect
• Setting the UK standards required to join the Register
• Ensuring only appropriate applicants from the UK and overseas join the Register
• Setting and enforcing the professional standards expected of UK architects
• Taking action against those who call themselves an architect illegally
• Acting as the UK’s Competent Authority for architects

 

Covid-19 adjustments
As part of COVID-19 related safety measures, we will not be accepting payment by cash, cheque, banker’s draft or postal order this year.

The 2021 fee can be paid by Direct Debit, online (credit/debit card or bank transfer) and over the phone (credit/debit card).  Direct Debits are a simple way to manage your retention fee payment.  You can set it up now and payment will be requested automatically in December. Other payment options can be taken up later in the year, once fee notices have been sent out.

 

More information
For further information on the fee, including FAQs for those paying for themselves or paying on behalf of someone else, you can visit our website – Annual Retention Fee

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