英國與美國簽署建築師相互認證協議
英國與美國簽署建築師相互認證協議，以使兩國建築師能相互前往就業。
英國建築師公會(ARB，Architects Registration Board)於2023年2月16日宣布，已與美國國家建築註冊委員會(NCARB，National Council of Architectural Registration Boards)簽署建築師相互認證協議(Mutual Recognition Agreement，MRA)。
協議由專業機構本身認定，較不受政府干預。英國建築師公會表示，英國退出歐盟服務提供商單一市場，使英國建築師公會有更大空間簽署協議。根據新協議，有意在英國工作的美國建築師，將不須透過特定渠道進行英國建築師認證，這些渠道此前遭批評既繁瑣又昂貴。另有意在英國工作的美國建築師，須接受英國適應評估，以確保申請者對英國的相關法規有所瞭解。
該新協議經談判大約5年，將於2023年4月25日正式生效，此是英國第一個涵蓋建築師資格的相互認證協議。英國建築師公會表示，該公會正推動與歐盟、澳洲和香港談判擬定類似的協議。
兩個監管機構表示，此舉將通過簡化註冊流程和降低費用和考試而不會犧牲安全標準，從而開放專業註冊。
英國引進國際建築師新規的一部分
ARB表示，這項協議是其註冊國際建築師新方法的一部分，並且由於英國脫歐而實現。上個月，修改《1997年建築師法》的法律已生效，結束了英國對歐盟註冊建築師的自動認可。之前，ARB 要求在美國取得資格的建築師，以及其他非英國國家的從業人員，通過其指定的考試進行替代註冊路線，包括面試和作品集等。這項考試費用高達1950英鎊，且不及格率也很高。2022年參加該考試的近一半人未能通過。
以適應性評估取代建築師考試
ARB 在其網站上表示，來自美國和其他未來簽署相互認可協議的國家的建築師現在將通過英國的「適應評估」來代替指定的考試，以確保他們了解英國的法律法規以及建築行業。在此「適應評估」中，申請人將需要提供反思性的執業總結，回答基於情境的在英國執業的問題，以及接受專業面試。ARB表示，適應評估的費用將比指定的考試便宜50%，並且至少快六個月。
這項協議還可能為想要移居美國的合格英國建築師節省時間和金錢。目前，英國建築師必須獲得單獨的美國教育和經驗資格才能在那裡執業。
關於NCARB | National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
「National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) 國家建築註冊委員會」是一個位於美國華盛頓特區的非營利性組織，旨在確保美國建築師在執業前擁有必要的知識、技能和道德標準，並為建築師提供支援和發展機會。NCARB 由美國各州和領土的建築師註冊委員會組成，其任務是促進建築師之間的合作，制定、維護和推廣建築師註冊制度，並提供相關的資源和支援。
NCARB 主要的職責包括：
- 監督建築師註冊考試：NCARB 統一管理建築師註冊考試，該考試包括多個科目，涵蓋了建築學、建築歷史、結構、材料、環境系統和建築專業實踐等方面的知識。
- 認可學位課程：NCARB 認可符合標準的建築學學士學位課程，確保學生在學習過程中掌握了必要的知識和技能，以滿足建築師註冊考試的資格要求。
- 維護建築師註冊記錄：NCARB 負責維護建築師的註冊記錄，確保註冊建築師滿足註冊要求，並跟踪建築師的繼續教育和專業發展。
- 提供專業發展資源：NCARB 提供各種資源，如線上課程、專業訓練和工作機會，以幫助建築師提高專業水平和職業競爭力。
ARB unveils ‘landmark’ UK-US architects mutual recognition agreement
16 FEBRUARY 2023 ·BY KIT HEREN
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has signed an agreement that will allow American architects to work in the UK more easily and give British architects a similarly fast-tracked process in the US
The new mutual recognition agreement (MRA) was signed on Thursday (16 February) by the ARB and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the US.
The two regulators said the move would ‘open up professional registration by streamlining registration processes and reducing costs and examinations’ without compromising on safety standards.
The ARB said the deal formed part of its new approach to registering international architects. which has been ‘made possible’ by Brexit. Changes to the Architects Act 1997, ending the UK’s automatic recognition of EU-registered architects, came into law last month.
The deal, which comes into force on 25 April, has been in the works for five years and is the first such agreement the ARB has signed. It is also working on similar agreements with the EU, Australia and Hong Kong.
Previously, the ARB required architects who had qualified in the US, like practitioners from other non-UK countries, to go through the Alternative Route to Registration via its prescribed examination, which includes interviews and portfolio work. Fees are high - £1,950 each for Parts I and II – and so are failure rates. Nearly half the people who took the prescribed examination last year failed.
The ARB says on its website that architects from the US – and other countries with which it signs mutual recognition agreements in future – will now go through a UK adaptation assessment instead of the prescribed examination, to make sure they understand British legislation and regulations, as well as the building sector.
As part of this assessment, applicants will have to provide a reflective career summary, respond to scenario-based questions on practising in the UK, and undergo a professional interview. The adaptation assessment will be about 50 per cent cheaper than the prescribed examination, and at least six months quicker, the ARB told the AJ.
The deal is also likely to save time and money for British-qualified architects who want to move to the US. Currently, UK architects have to gain separate American education and experience qualifications before they can practise there.
It is not clear how the MRA will change this, but the American Institute of Architects (AIA) suggested that ARB-registered architects may get NCARB registration automatically. Being NCARB-registered does not, however, necessarily allow architects to practise in every US state.
The agreement is likely to be welcomed by practices on both sides of the Atlantic. In a blog post published on its website ahead of the deal being signed, the UK chapter of the AIA said that ‘the implementation of the new US-UK MRA would transform the process for US architects to register in the UK, and vice versa’.
ARB chief executive and registrar Hugh Simpson said: ‘Signing this MRA – creating a reciprocal arrangement whereby UK architects can register and practise in participating jurisdictions within the United States – is an exciting moment for the sector.
‘The agreement helps to open up opportunities for co-operation between individuals and firms in the UK and United States in a way which upholds standards.’
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) president Simon Allford said the agreement would enable architects on both sides of the Atlantic to share 'knowledge, skills and expertise'.
'British architecture is a global success story, and, post-Brexit, the UK has an opportunity to open up new export markets for UK architects,' said Allford.
'RIBA has been a vocal supporter of new MRAs, and this agreement between the UK and the US brings fresh benefits to architects who want to work internationally. It also makes it easier for talented US architects to work in the UK.'
'We hope that our members, and those from across the Atlantic seize this opportunity.”
NCARB chief executive Michael Armstrong said: ‘Through this agreement, NCARB celebrates a new relationship with the UK as it continues to enhance the value of the NCARB Certificate as a facilitator of domestic and international mobility for many US licensed practitioners.
‘We are pleased to sign this mutual recognition agreement emphasising a shared approach of appropriate rigour in guiding the licensure of architects, thus furthering our mutual desire to enhance the global health, safety and welfare of the public.’
Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch commented: ‘This landmark agreement will pave the way for our world-class architects to export their expertise across the Atlantic.
‘Removing market access barriers is one of my top priorities, and this latest win will further strengthen our trading ties with the US.’