Architects Registration Board
Surveying and design · Statutory regulator of architects
The Architects Registration Board maintains the UK Architects Register. It regulates the use of the title architect; it is not the Arboricultural Association for tree work.
Checked Official sources below.
What it covers and whether it is required
The title architect is protected by law in UK business and practice. The legal check is ARB registration. Not every person offering a building design service is an architect, and not every design task is reserved to architects.
Joining requirements and costs
Applicants must meet the registration route appropriate to their qualifications and experience. Registered architects must meet ARB’s professional standards, including the applicable insurance and continuing competence requirements. The current entry routes should be checked directly rather than assumed from an old qualification guide.
Check the current fees with Architects Registration Board before applying. Ask whether the quotation includes application, assessment, renewal and any per-job charges. Use published fees or ask for a written quotation.
What it means for homeowners
Search the Architects Register for the individual, not just the practice name. Read the appointment and ask who carries responsibility for design, contract administration and site visits. ARB’s conduct process is not a building warranty or a substitute for resolving the contract.
How to check a claim
Official member, card or certificate check: Architects Registration Board.
Match the record to the named person or contracting business. Check the current scope, not just a logo on a van or an old certificate. If the public record does not show the detail you need, ask the body to confirm it before appointing the business.
Where the scheme applies
The statutory register covers the whole UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Local planning and building standards still differ.
Common questions
Is RIBA membership required to use the title architect?
The statutory check is ARB registration. RIBA is a separate professional institute, and its membership is not a substitute for appearing on the Architects Register.
How do I check Architects Registration Board status?
Use the official verification service linked in this guide. Match the person or legal business name, current status and relevant work category. For a guarantee, check the document issued for your contract as well.
Official sources
- Architects Registration Board: arb.org.uk
- Architects Registration Board: applying for registration for the first time
- Architects Registration Board: checklist before hiring an architect
- Architects Registration Board: who can use the title architect
Sources checked November 2026. Scheme rules can change; confirm current requirements before applying or signing a contract.