ARB launches consultation on CPD for architects

The Architects Registration Board is launching a new public consultation on its plans for continuing professional development (CPD).

All architects will be required to comply with ARB’s CPD scheme when it launches in full in 2024. This three-month consultation is a significant opportunity for architects to review ARB’s proposals in detail and share their views before the Board finalises the scheme.

Alan Kershaw, Chair of the Architects Registration Board, said: “CPD will be a condition of ongoing registration for all architects, thanks to new powers given to ARB in this year’s Building Safety Act. This new consultation takes our plans on to the next stage and I strongly encourage all architects to respond.

“Our scheme will directly impact architects’ day-to-day practice so now is the time to have your say in how the scheme is shaped.”

Simon Allford, RIBA President, said: “From the building safety crisis to the climate emergency – it’s crucial that architects continue to develop their knowledge and skills to respond to the challenges we face. We therefore welcome ARB’s consultation on the draft scheme for enhancing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

“RIBA’s long established CPD programme and core curriculum serves to maintain and improve high quality and effective competency standards. We welcome the ARB’s proposals which seek to bolster, rather than duplicate, this, in particular by accepting CPD records submitted to RIBA. I urge all RIBA Members to review the ARB proposals and respond directly. Reforms to competency requirements must reflect and cater to the practical needs of the profession whilst instilling confidence in the wider sector and public.”

ARB has developed the scheme based on extensive research and engagement, including a survey in 2021 which demonstrated architects’ support for ARB’s principles for CPD. Through ARB’s proposed scheme:

• Architects will need to carry out CPD every year and confirm they have undertaken it when they pay their retention fee in order to remain registered.
• There is no minimum number of activities or hours that an architect must complete. Architects can do the CPD that is most relevant to their practice, in a way that works best for them.
• Architects may have to do CPD on core topics mandated by ARB. If ARB does choose to mandate a topic, this will be communicated to architects in advance and with guidelines to assist them.
• CPD can be recorded on the ARB platform, or another compatible platform identified in ARB’s guidance. Architects will need to record the CPD activities they carry out and the outcomes from them. They will also need to write a reflective statement on the development they have carried out over the last 12 months, and their future development requirements.
• ARB will annually review a selection of architects’ CPD records. If you are selected to be reviewed, ARB will write to you asking for documentation about your CPD. Architects who have recorded their CPD on another platform will need to gather their documentation and send it directly to ARB.

ARB has published draft guidance giving architects more detail on the requirements and what will be asked of them, and prepared a helpful list of FAQs.

The online survey, which closes on Tuesday 3 January 2023, invites feedback on the detail of the scheme before it is finalised and introduced. Once the consultation has closed, ARB will analyse the responses and, based on the points raised, consider changes to the scheme. Architects can expect to see ARB launch a pilot CPD scheme in 2023, followed by the launch of the official scheme during the course of 2024.