Absolutely. Excuse the cut and paste answer -

In the United Kingdom the Architects Act 1997 [www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1997/1997022.htm ] (following on from earlier legislation dating back to the 1930s) requires any person in the UK who practices architecture using the title ‘architect’ to be registered at the Architects Registration Board (ARB) [www.arb.org.uk/]. Only those persons who have prescribed qualifications from a recognised school of architecture (including the RIBA Part III examination – practical experience – or its equivalent) can be registered by the ARB. Registered Architects have completed at least seven years academic and practical training and are highly skilled and qualified professionals.

2. Chartered Architects All practising ‘architects’ in the UK must be registered at the ARB, but not all of them are members of the RIBA. Only a fully qualified RIBA member is entitled to call him or herself a ‘Chartered Architect’ http://www.riba.org/go/RIBA/Member/Joining_29.html and use the ‘RIBA’ affix after his or her name www.riba.org/fileLibrary/pdf/P1_Advertising__(GN3).pdf E.g. John Smith RIBA Chartered Architect

However, if Mr John Smith is practising in the UK, he must also be registered at the ARB. If not, Mr Smith (and any one else like him) is breaking the law, and could be prosecuted (see below).

3. What constitutes practising ‘architecture’ The ARB has issued a guidance note (on Section 20 of the Architects Act 1997) which includes a list of the type of activities it will treat as ‘practice or business related to architecture’. These are :-

• Arbitration • Building contracting • Building services engineering • Conservation • Expert Witness • Interior Design • Project Management • Space planning • Structural engineering • Surveying

This list is not exhaustive, merely illustrative of those activities the ARB regards as demonstrating the practice of architecture. Therefore, any person undertaking any of these functions while calling him or herself an ‘architect’ is legally required to be registered.

4. Checking RIBA Membership and ARB Registration i. RIBA members are included in the on-line RIBA Members Directory http://members.riba.org/memdir/ which is regularly updated. If you cannot find the name, you can phone the Membership Department on 020 7307 3800. ii. You can check whether the person is registered at the Architects Registration Board by searching the ARB Register on-line at http://search.arb.org.uk/ or phone the ARB on 020 7580 5861

5. Misrepresentation

i. While the great majority of architects practising architecture in the UK are members of the RIBA, not all of them are, nor necessarily is someone who uses the title ‘architect’ registered at the ARB. It is therefore important to check the status of the person about whom you are concerned.

ii Reporting Misuse of Title (breach of the Architects Act 1997)

If you discover that someone is using the title ‘architect’ while not on the Register of Architects, you should contact the ARB (tel. 020 7580 5861; address: 8 Weymouth Street, London, W1W 5BU, e-mail: info@arb.org.uk) with your evidence. If necessary, the ARB will prosecute and the court can impose a substantial fine on those found guilty. You could also report the misuse of title to your local Trading Standards office. http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/consumers.cfm as occasionally the TSO will prosecute as well.

iii. Misrepresentation of RIBA membership

If you discover that a person is using the title ‘Chartered Architect’ and the RIBA affix without being a member of the Institute, please write to the Membership Department at 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD with the evidence, (e-mail: Membership&ClientServices@inst.riba.org), and we shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the person concerned ceases the misrepresentation.