No. S 565
Architects Act
(CHAPTER 12)
Architects (Amendment) Rules 2017
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 of the Architects Act, the Board of Architects, with the approval of the Minister for National Development, makes the following Rules:
Citation and commencement
1.  These Rules are the Architects (Amendment) Rules 2017 and come into operation on 6 October 2017.
Deletion and substitution of rules 2 and 3
2.  Rules 2 and 3 of the Architects Rules (R 1) are deleted and the following rules substituted therefor:
“Application for registration
2.—(1)  An application for registration under section 15(1) of the Act made by a person who satisfies the Board as to the criteria mentioned in section 15(2) of the Act must be —
(a)made to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/form_1_application_for_registration.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by —
(i)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule;
(ii)a copy of the identity card under the National Registration Act (Cap. 201), passport or other similar official document of identity relating to the person; and
(iii)a copy of the qualification by which the person claims to be entitled to such registration.
(2)  An application for registration under section 15(2A) of the Act made by a foreign architect seeking to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently must be —
(a)made to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/APEC_architect_registration_form_foreign.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by —
(i)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule;
(ii)a copy of the identity card under the National Registration Act, passport or other similar official document of identity relating to the foreign architect;
(iii)a copy of any degree, diploma or other qualification obtained by the foreign architect that relates to the practice of architecture;
(iv)any document showing the type of training in architecture received by the foreign architect;
(v)a document showing that the foreign architect is authorised to practise as an architect, issued by the foreign registration authority of a participating jurisdiction in which the foreign architect is so authorised to practise;
(vi)any other document required under the terms of any arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) of the Act;
(vii)any other document that the Board considers to be relevant in assessing the particular application; and
(viii)a declaration containing such relevant information as the Board may require which relates to the foreign architect or the architectural services to be supplied by the foreign architect in Singapore.
(3)  An application for registration under section 15(2A) of the Act made by a foreign architect not seeking to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently must be —
(a)made to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/ASEAN_Architect_Registration_Form_foreign.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by —
(i)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule;
(ii)a copy of the identity card under the National Registration Act, passport or other similar official document of identity relating to the foreign architect;
(iii)a copy of any degree, diploma or other qualification obtained by the foreign architect that relates to the practice of architecture;
(iv)any document showing the type of training in architecture received by the foreign architect;
(v)a document showing that the foreign architect is authorised to practise as an architect, issued by the foreign registration authority of a participating jurisdiction in which the foreign architect is so authorised to practise;
(vi)any other document required under the terms of any arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) of the Act;
(vii)any other document that the Board considers to be relevant in assessing the particular application; and
(viii)a declaration containing such relevant information as the Board may require which relates to the foreign architect or the architectural services to be supplied by the foreign architect in Singapore.
(4)  An application for registration under section 15(1)(c) of the Act made by a foreign architect to whom the Architects (Exemption from Experience Requirements) Order 2017 (G.N. No. S 567/2017) applies must be —
(a)made to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/form_collaboration.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by —
(i)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule;
(ii)a copy of the identity card under the National Registration Act, passport or other similar official document of identity relating to the foreign architect;
(iii)a copy of any degree, diploma or other qualification obtained by the foreign architect that relates to the practice of architecture;
(iv)any document showing the type of training in architecture received by the foreign architect;
(v)any other document that the Board considers to be relevant in assessing the application; and
(vi)a declaration containing such relevant information as the Board may require which relates to the foreign architect or the architectural services to be supplied by the foreign architect in Singapore.
(5)  Any document produced under paragraph (1), (2), (3) or (4) that is not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation of that document.
(6)  Any fee mentioned in paragraph (1), (2), (3) or (4) is non‑refundable.
(7)  For the purposes of these Rules, a person engages in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently if the person supplies, or offers to supply, architectural services in Singapore without collaborating with a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate.
Prescribed examination for purposes of section 15(1)(c) of Act
3.—(1)  The prescribed examination for the purposes of section 15(1)(c) of the Act is the Confirmatory Examination, being an oral examination to test the applicant’s knowledge in architecture and ability to produce creative and innovative architectural designs.
(2)  Any person who sits for the Confirmatory Examination must pay the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.”.
Amendment of rule 3A
3.  Rule 3A of the Architects Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the words “section 15(2)(c)(ii)” in paragraph (3) and substituting the words “section 15(2)(c)(iii)”; and
(b)by deleting paragraph (4).
Amendment of rule 3B
4.  Rule 3B of the Architects Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting the words “specified in the Third Schedule” in paragraph (1)(d) and substituting the words “for that examination specified in the Schedule”; and
(b)by inserting, immediately after paragraph (1), the following paragraph:
“(1A)  A person may apply to sit for any of the examinations mentioned in rule 3A(1), (2) or (3) if, and only if, the person has, before the date of the application, obtained the practical experience in architectural work specified in section 15(2)(a)(i), (b)(i) or (c)(i) of the Act, as the case may be.”.
New rules 3C and 3D
5.  The Architects Rules are amended by inserting, immediately after rule 3B, the following rules:
“Approved examination for purposes of section 15(2A) of Act
3C.—(1)  The examinations approved by the Board for the purposes of section 15(2A) of the Act in relation to a foreign architect mentioned in that section who is seeking to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently are the Domain Specific Process Written Test and the Domain Specific Process Interview, in which the foreign architect will be tested on —
(a)technical issues on architecture;
(b)the legal and practice issues relating to the practice of architecture in Singapore; and
(c)issues relating to the professional responsibility, accountability and liability of architects in Singapore.
(2)  An application to sit for the Domain Specific Process Written Test, or the Domain Specific Process Interview, or both, must be made in such form as the Board may require and be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.
(3)  The Board may, in its discretion, refund any fee or part of the fee paid by that person for an examination or interview if the person is unable to sit for that examination or attend that interview.
Committee of examiners
3D.  The Board must —
(a)appoint a Committee of Examiners to conduct the examinations mentioned in rules 3(1), 3A(1), (2) and (3) and 3C(1);
(b)determine the date, time and place for the examinations to be held;
(c)determine the number of such examinations to be conducted in a year (not being less than one examination per year);
(d)determine the scope and duration of such examinations;
(e)determine the procedure for the conduct of such examinations; and
(f)notify each applicant of the result of his examination as soon as practicable.”.
Deletion of rule 7
6.  Rule 7 of the Architects Rules is deleted.
Deletion and substitution of rules 9 and 10
7.  Rules 9 and 10 of the Architects Rules are deleted and the following rules substituted therefor:
“Certificate of registration
9.—(1)  A registered architect must, on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule, be issued a certificate of registration duly signed by the Registrar.
(2)  The certificate of registration must be in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/registration_certificate.pdf.
Application for and renewal of recognition for purposes of mutual recognition arrangements
10.—(1)  An application to be recognised under section 15A(1) of the Act must be —
(a)made in writing to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/ASEAN_Architect_Registration_Form_SG.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by —
(i)the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule;
(ii)a copy of the identity card under the National Registration Act (Cap. 201), passport or other similar official document of identity relating to the applicant; and
(iii)any other information, statement or document as the Board may require.
(2)  An application for the renewal of such recognition must be —
(a)made in writing to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/APEC_Architect_Registration_Form_SG.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.
(3)  Any fee mentioned in paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (2)(b) is non‑refundable.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 11
8.  Rule 11 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Application for practising certificate
11.  An application for a practising certificate or to amend any particulars in a practising certificate must be —
(a)made in writing to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/Practising_Certificate_form.pdf; and
(b)be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.”.
Deletion of rule 12
9.  Rule 12 of the Architects Rules is deleted.
Amendment of rule 13
10.  Rule 13(1) of the Architects Rules is amended by deleting the words “the Third Schedule shall, in addition to the fee payable under rule 12,” and substituting the words “the Schedule must”.
Amendment of rule 13A
11.  Rule 13A of the Architects Rules is amended —
(a)by inserting, immediately after paragraph (4), the following paragraphs:
“(4A)  Where a registered architect has made an application for a practising certificate which is to commence on a particular date, and the registered architect has not held a practising certificate for a continuous period of 3 years or more immediately preceding that date, he must satisfy the condition mentioned in paragraph (4B).
(4B)  The condition is that the registered architect must obtain the requisite continuing professional development points which is double the number of continuing professional development points the registered architect has to obtain under the age group mentioned in paragraph (2), (3) or (4), as the case may be.”; and
(b)by deleting the words “and (4)” in paragraph (7) and substituting the words “, (4) and (4A)”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 15
12.  Rule 15 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Form of practising certificate
15.  A practising certificate must be in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/Practising_Certificate.pdf.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 16
13.  Rule 16 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Application for licence to supply architectural services
16.  An application for a licence to supply architectural services must be —
(a)made in writing to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/form_6_application_for_a_licence.pdf; and
(b)made not less than one month before the expiry of any previous licence issued to the applicant.”.
Amendment of rule 17
14.  Rule 17 of the Architects Rules is amended by deleting the words “the Third Schedule” and substituting the words “the Schedule”.
Amendment of rule 18A
15.  Rule 18A of the Architects Rules is amended —
(a)by deleting paragraph (2) and substituting the following paragraph:
“(2)  An application for the approval of a practice name or for a change of a practice name or practice status must be —
(a)made in writing to the Board in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/approval_of_firm_s_name.pdf; and
(b)accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.”; and
(b)by inserting, immediately after the words “approve a practice name” in paragraph (3), the words “or a change of a practice name”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 19
16.  Rule 19 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Form of licence
19.  A licence to supply architectural services in Singapore must be in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/forms/licence.pdf.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 22
17.  Rule 22 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Form and extract of registers
22.—(1)  The registers mentioned in section 8(1) of the Act are to be kept and maintained in the form set out at the Internet website of the Board at http://www.boa.gov.sg/registers.pdf.
(2)  For the purposes of section 8(2) of the Act, the prescribed fee is the appropriate fee specified in the Schedule.”.
Deletion and substitution of rule 24
18.  Rule 24 of the Architects Rules is deleted and the following rule substituted therefor:
“Index
24.  Any alphabetical index of the names of persons entered in a register kept and maintained under section 8(1) of the Act is deemed to be a part of the register to which the index relates.”.
Amendment of rule 25
19.  Rule 25(2) of the Architects Rules is amended by deleting the words “the Third Schedule” and substituting the words “the Schedule”.
New rule 27A
20.  The Architects Rules are amended by inserting, immediately after rule 27, the following rule:
“Signed document to include architect registration number
27A.  A registered architect who signs and submits to any of the architect’s clients, or to a building authority or a public authority, any report, certificate or other document relating to the construction, enlargement or alteration of any building or part of the building which is required by law to be signed by an architect, must include the architect’s registration number as it appears in the architect’s certificate of registration.”.
Deletion of First, Second and Third Schedules and new Schedule
21.  The First, Second and Third Schedules to the Architects Rules are deleted and the following Schedule substituted therefor:
“THE SCHEDULE
Rules 2(1)(b)(i), (2)(b)(i), (3)(b)(i) and
(4)(b)(i), 3(2), 3B(1)(d), 3C(2), 9(1),
10(1)(b)(i) and (2)(b), 11(b), 13(1),
18A(2)(b), 22(2) and 25(2)
Fees
1.Application for registration under section 15(1) of the Act by a person who satisfies the Board as to the criteria mentioned in section 15(2) of the Act (rule 2(1))
$200
 
2.Application for registration under section 15(2A) of the Act by a foreign architect seeking to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently (rule 2(2))
$200
 
3.Application for registration under section 15(2A) of the Act by a foreign architect not seeking to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore independently (rule 2(3))
$500
 
4.Application for registration under section 15(1)(c) of the Act by a foreign architect to whom the Architects (Exemption from Experience Requirements) Order 2017 (G.N. No. S 567/2017) applies (rule 2(4))
$500
 
5.Sitting for the Confirmatory Examination (rule 3(1))
$150
 
6.Application to sit for the Law and the Architect Examination, Professional Practice Examination and the Oral Interview Examination (rule 3A(1))
$600
 
7.Application to sit for the Professional Practice Interview Examination (rule 3A(2))
$1,500
 
8.Application to sit for the Professional Interview (rule 3A(3))
$2,500
 
9.Application to sit for the Domain Specific Process Written Test, or the Domain Specific Process Interview, or both (rule 3C(1))
$2,500
 
10.Application for a certificate of registration for a registered architect (rule 9)
$150
 
11.Application to be recognised under section 15A(1) of the Act (rule 10(1))
$200
 
12.Application for renewal of recognition for the purposes of an arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) of the Act with a foreign registration authority from any participating jurisdiction which does not allow a person recognised under section 15A(2) of the Act to engage in the practice of architecture in that participating jurisdiction independently (rule 10(2))
$50
 
13.Application for renewal of recognition for the purposes of an arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) of the Act with a foreign registration authority from any participating jurisdiction which allows a person recognised under section 15A(2) of the Act to engage in the practice of architecture in that participating jurisdiction independently (rule 10(2))
$100
 
14.Application for a practising certificate (rule 11)
$250
 
15.Application to amend any particulars in a practising certificate (rule 11)
$20
 
16.Late application for a practising certificate (rule 13)
$50
 
17.Application for a licence (rule 16)
$1,000
 
18.Application for approval of practice name (rule 18A(2))
$20
 
19.Application for a change of practice name or practice status (rule 18A(2))
$50
 
20.Extract from the register (rule 22(2))
$40 per page
 
21.Application for a duplicate certificate or licence (rule 25(2))
$50.
 
”.
[G.N. Nos. S 139/95; S 394/2000; S 668/2003; S 761/2005; S 668/2012]
Made on 28 September 2017.
TAN SHAO YEN
President,
Board of Architects,
Singapore.
[SPD/BOA/Legislation/Amd to Architects Act 2017; AG/LEGIS/SL/12/2015/2 Vol. 1]
(To be presented to Parliament under section 38(3) of the Architects Act).
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