The Architects Board of WA is a statutory authority that is responsible for administering the Architects Act 2004 – the legislation that regulates architects in WA. The primary purpose of the Board is to protect consumers of architectural services by ensuring that only properly qualified and competent persons are identified as architects and to establish, maintain and promote suitable standards of knowledge and skills among architects. It manages the registration process for architects and issues licences to corporations. As part of the registration process, the Board accredits architectural courses from Western Australian universities and conducts the Architectural Practice Examination. The Board also monitors the correct use of the word “architect” (and associated words), investigates any contraventions of the Act and disciplines architects if they have acted unprofessionally, or breached the Act.

By contrast, the Institute is the professional body for architects.  Amongst many other things, it lobbies government on critical issues which relate to architects and architecture, recognises excellence in architecture through the Architecture Awards, and provides services for members such as professional development seminars and a senior counsellor service for general queries and disputes.

While virtually anyone can draw up plans and call themselves a “building designer”, only a person registered by the Architects Board of WA can use the title “architect”. But the distinction is far more substantial than the just the title used.

Architects must have gained approved tertiary qualifications (or equivalent), have undertaken a two-year period of practical experience and have successfully completed both the written and oral parts of the Architectural Practice Examination before becoming eligible to apply for registration, and qualifying to use the title “architect”.

Once registered, practising architects are required to undertake continuing professional development activities each year to ensure their knowledge, skill and competence remains current.

The title “architect” can also be used by corporations that have been licensed by the Board. In order for an architectural corporation to be granted a licence, all architectural work carried out by the corporation has to be done under the direct control and supervision of an architect, and an architect has to have ultimate responsibility for the architectural work done by the corporation.  Architects that take on these responsibilities are referred to as “responsible architects”.

So, when you are working with an “architect”, you will now you are dealing with a fully qualified professional.

You can check if an individual is registered, or if a corporation is licensed, by using the “Search Register” function on the home page of the Board’s website, or by contacting the Board’s offices.

All practising architects must have appropriate professional indemnity insurance to protect the public and their own professional interest.  Allegations of professional negligence often involve complex and detailed issues, and litigation is expensive.  Professional indemnity insurance is important in safeguarding the architect, the public and the consumer.

The Architects Act 2004 requires the Architects Board of WA to be satisfied that an architect has attained, or maintained, an appropriate level of knowledge, skill and competence in order to renew a person’s registration.

The Board’s preferred method for establishing this level is through CPD activities which comply with its CPD Framework.

All practising architects, including architects who work part-time, are required to declare, at the time of annual renewal of registration, that they have maintained a satisfactory level of knowledge, skill and competence in the practice of architecture – for example, that they have obtained a minimum of 20 CPD points of which at least 10 points are formal.

Architects who are registered in the non-practising division of the register are not required to maintain their knowledge, skill and competence in order to renew their registration.  However, should a non-practising architect wish to re-commence practice, they will need to satisfy the Board that they have maintained their knowledge, skill and competence.  Voluntary participation in some CPD activities may assist this process.

There are many ways to acquire formal points without having to attend seminars. Formal CPD activities can include:

• preparing a report following travel or a study tour;
• participation in professional committees/groups or peer groups;
• preparation and delivery of presentations;
• publishing papers or articles;
• research; and
• e-learning activities.

For an activity to qualify for formal CPD points, it must have stated learning outcomes and either have an assessment activity included or have significant interaction between the presenter and learner.