Architects Act
(Chapter 12, Section 36)
Architects Rules
R 1
REVISED EDITION 1990
(25th March 1992)
[30th August 1991]
Citation
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Architects Rules.
PART I
REGISTRATION
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
Prescribed examinations for purposes of section 15 (2) of Act
3A.—(1)  The following examinations shall be the prescribed examinations for the purposes of section 15 (2) (a) (ii) of the Act:
(a)the Law and the Architect Examination, which tests the applicant’s technical knowledge on the various Acts, by-laws, rules and regulations, limitations, codes of practice, submission and application procedures relating to the practice of architecture in Singapore;
(b)the Professional Practice Examination, which tests the applicant’s understanding of and his abilities in Contract Administration and Project Management; and
(c)the Oral Interview Examination (to be conducted only after the applicant has sat for and passed the examinations referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b)), which covers the following areas:
(i)the topics set out in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b);
(ii)the data recorded in the applicant’s Professional Case Study, Practical Experience Record Book and Log Book; and
(iii)the mentoring process of the applicant.
(2)  The prescribed oral examination for the purposes of section 15 (2) (b) (ii) of the Act shall be the Professional Practice Interview Examination, which covers the following areas:
(a)the topics set out in paragraph (1)(a) and (b); and
(b)the data recorded in the applicant’s Professional Case Study, Practical Experience Record Book and Log Book.
(3)  The prescribed oral examination for the purposes of section 15(2)(c)(iii) of the Act shall be the Professional Interview, in which the applicant will be asked to elaborate on his aspirations in relation to his practice of architecture in Singapore, his professional opinion on improving the architectural practice and standards in Singapore and his achievements in the architectural profession.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
(4)  [Deleted by S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
Application to sit for prescribed examinations
3B.—(1)  Every application to sit for an examination referred to in rule 3A(1), (2) or (3) shall be —
(a)made in such form and manner as the Board may determine;
(b)submitted not less than 60 days before the date of the examination;
(c)accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s Professional Case Study, Practical Experience Record Book and Log Book; and
(d)accompanied by the appropriate fee for that examination specified in the Schedule.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
(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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
(2)  Where a person who has applied to sit for any of the examinations referred to in rule 3A(1), (2) or (3) is unable to sit for the examination, the Board may, in its discretion, refund any fee or part thereof paid by that person under this rule.
[S 761/2005 wef 01/12/2005]
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
Practical experience
4.—(1)  The practical experience that a person is required to have under section 15 (2) (a) or (b) of the Act in order to be entitled to registration under the Act shall be such practical experience in architectural work undertaken by an architect engaged in the practice of architecture as may be acceptable to the Board, which shall include practical experience obtained in Singapore for a continuous period of at least 12 months under the supervision of a registered architect in the employ of the Government or a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate.
(2)  No person shall be eligible to sit for the examination referred to in section 15(2)(a) of the Act unless he has the practical experience prescribed in paragraph (1).
Evidence of practical experience
5.—(1)  Every person applying for registration under the Act shall submit with his application proof in writing of his practical experience, which shall include details of the duration and a description of the practical experience in such form as the Board may require.
(2)  The Board may, with a view to determining the nature of an applicant’s practical experience, conduct an interview with the applicant.
Further evidence and other requirements
6.—(1)  The Board may require an applicant to furnish such other evidence or particulars as the Board considers necessary to determine whether the applicant is entitled to registration under the Act.
(2)  The Board may further require an applicant to submit a project report to demonstrate his experience in the different areas of architectural practice.
[S 761/2005 wef 01/12/2005]
7.  [Deleted by S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
Decision of Board
8.—(1)  When any person applies for registration under the Act, the Registrar shall as soon as practicable refer the application to the Board.
(2)  Notification of every decision of the Board with respect to any application for registration under the Act shall be given to the applicant by letter signed by the Registrar addressed to the applicant at the address stated by him in the application.
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]
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.
[S 565/2017 wef 06/10/2017]