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RIAI Member and Register Admission Routes
Member (MRIAI)
RIAI Membership (MRIAI) is open to you if you can demonstrate through the routes provided that you meet all of the requirements for independent practice in Ireland. MRIAI is a listed qualification in Directive 2005/36/EC and therefore enables you to provide architectural services in all EU member States as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
An alternate architect membership affix MRIAI(IRL) is open to you if you demonstrate that you meet the requirements for registration in the State set out in the Building Control Act 2007 but cannot demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC for automatic recognition in the EU/EEA. Which affix applies to you is decided by the Board of Architectural Education when your application for membership is being considered.
Architect (Register)
Registration as an architect is open to you if you can demonstrate through the routes provided that you meet all of the requirements for independent practice in Ireland.
Those on the register are eligible to join the RIAI (MRIAI) and architect members of the RIAI (MRIAI, MRIAI(IRL) and FRIAI) are eligible to be registered (see clauses 14(2) and 14(4) of the Building Control Act 2007). The application forms for admission are identical and allow you to choose whether you wish to apply for RIAI Membership and Registration or for Registration only.
Check the following table to see which ‘Admission Route’ applies to you. The routes describe the different ways you can demonstrate that you meet all of the requirements for independent practice in Ireland. Choose the one that best describes your situation. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions section of the RIAI
The routes as outlined below are in accordance with the requirements of
- The Building Control Act 2007, and
- Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of Professional Qualifications (where applicable).
Routes to Registration:
Registration: Route A1
To qualify for this route you must have:
- a prescribed qualification in Architecture and
- you have already passed a prescribed post-graduate Examination in Professional Practice.
Download the ROUTE A1 application package
Registration: Route A2
To qualify for this route you must have:
- a prescribed qualification in Architecture or
- an accredited non-EU qualification in architecture and
- you are applying to take the RIAI Examination in Professional Practice
Note: This route is also open to candidates from within the EU/EEA who have recognised qualifications in architecture but who do not have an accompanying certificate where one is required. Candidates in this situation may also apply to UCD take the Professional Diploma (Architecture) PDARCH002.
View Information on the RIAI Professional Practice Exam
Registration: Route B
To qualify for this route you must:
- have a prescribed qualification in Architecture or have a non-prescribed qualification in architecture e.g. from outside the State assessed by the RIAI as being equivalent to a prescribed qualification
and
- have passed a prescribed post-graduate Professional Practice Examination or have passed a post-graduate Professional Practice Examination in another jurisdiction assessed by the RIAI as being equivalent to a prescribed qualification.
Note: This route applies to a range of potential applicants including Irish graduates who received one or both of the required qualifications outside the State as well as to other individuals with non-EU qualifications.
Download the ROUTE B application package
Registration: Route C
To qualify for this route you must have:
- a prescribed qualification in Architecture or
- a non-prescribed qualification in architecture e.g. from outside the State assessed by the RIAI as being equivalent to a prescribed qualification
and
- you have acquired seven or more years of post-graduate practical experience
Download the ROUTE C application package
Registration: Route D1
To qualify for this route you must:
- be a national of an EU/EEA Member State other than Ireland.
- have a recognised qualification in Architecture from an EU/EEA Member State other than Ireland and
- meet the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
Download the ROUTE D1 application package
Registration: Route D2
To qualify for this route you must be:
- A national of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and
- have a Qualification in Architecture from an EU/EAA Member State other than Ireland which does not meet the requirements of Chapter III Article 46 of Directive 2005/36/EC on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
This route relates to the ‘General System’ under Title III Chapter I of Directive 2005/36/EC. If successful you may be required to undertake compensation measures to meet the criteria set out in the Building Control Act 2007.
Please contact the Admissions Director
Registration: Route E
To qualify for this route you must have been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect in this State for 10 or more years prior to 1 May 2008
This is the Technical Assessment system described in Section 14(2)(h) of the Building Control Act 2007.
Download the ROUTE E application package
More information about Technical Assessment is provided in the Information Package.
Registration: Route F
Section 14(2)(f) of the Act includes “a person who has at least 7 years’ practical experience of performing duties commensurate with those of an architect in the State, is at least 35 years of age, and has passed a prescribed register admission examination” among those eligible for registration.
While no examination has yet been prescribed, the ARAE’s “Architects Register Admission Examination” has been granted Provisional Approval. Final accreditation can only be given when the first group of participants complete the examination. This is the only examination of this type in the State. The 7 years experience criterion is assessed by the ARAE as part of the process. The RIAI has sought legal advice on the application of the 35 years of age requirements; the outcome will be notified here when available. Application forms for Registration/Membership on the basis of meeting the criteria will be available here once the situation relating to the 35 year requirements has been clarified.
If you are interested in pursuing this route, please check the ARAE’s information at: http://www.arae.ie/
Registration: Route M
Section 14(2)(d) of the Act includes “a person in respect of whom a notice in writing, dated 7 January 1997, 13 March 1997 or 11 June 1997, was sent by the Minister (whether to the person or to an organisation representing the person in the matter) stating that the person was successful in his or her application to be included in the relevant list;” among those eligible for registration.
Download the ROUTE M application package
The RIAI is empowered to grant authorisation to use the title architect to individuals whose work in the field or architecture is especially distinguished and who are Irish citizens. Enquiries should be made directly to the Admissions Director.
Note: A prescribed qualification in Architecture is a qualification in Architecture which has been prescribed under the terms of the Building Control Act 2007.