Yes. You can change or update your personal information.
Please update your details here.

The Board maintains the Register of all registered architects. You are obliged to maintain an update profile with the Board. According to section 12 of the ARO, a registered architect whose name is entered in the register shall within 28 days notify the Registrar of any change in the particulars, such as the name and address of the registered architect, the qualification on which is registration is based, and any other details that the Board may direct.

In any circumstances, you should inform us your to-date contact details (i.e. email address, office address, contact no., etc.). For example, in order to proceed your application/renewal, we may contact you if your application form/renewal form is not duly completed or signed or if you have not provided your proof of payment.

Architects Registration Ordinance Cap. 408 (“ARO”) requires you to get registered before you become a Registered Architect. If you choose not to registered, you are not a Registered Architect. According to section 30 of ARO, a person whose name does not appear on the register shall not be entitled to describe himself as “architect” or “registered architect” or use the initials “R.A.” after his name.

Under section 30(2) of ARO, the Board may apply to a judge for an order restraining a person whose name is not on the register from describing himself as “architect” or “registered architect” or using the initials “R.A.”. Under section 31(1)(h) of ARO, a person who commits similar act commits a criminal offence and becomes liable to a fine at level 5 (HK$50,000) and to imprisonment for 1 year.

You cannot use the “architect”, “registered architect” or use the initials “R.A.” in Hong Kong but you can call yourself an architect by stating at the country that accredits your qualification as an architect. However, this does not imply you have “the right to practice architecture in Hong Kong under the description of architect” under section 30(3) of ARO.

請參考以下教程
手冊: Account Activation_ARB RA Area_2022-09-24.pdf
視頻: ra_area_account_activation_video.mp4

如果您不知道您的 RA 登錄憑證，請聯繫 arbsec@arb.org.hk。

You shall apply for renewal of registration to the Registrar not earlier than 3 months and not later than 28 days prior to the expiry of the current registration. You may renew your registration via the Online RA Area and pay the fee for an application for renewal of registration.

User manual: Renewal of Registration_ARB RA Area_2022-09-24.pdf
Video tutorial: arb_renewal_Update.mp4

The ARB Form 02 can also be downloaded from our website, please print and complete the form with a cheque to our office.

If you fail to renew your registration within time, you may still apply for renewal of registration and pay to the Board the fee for the extension of time. If your registration has expired, the Board may require you re-apply for registration instead of renewing your registration.

Please complete the application form at the “RENEWAL” page and settle the payment online. The application FORM 02 can also be downloaded from [link], please print and complete the form with a cheque and send to our office.

Online user guide

User manual: Renewal of Registration_ARB RA Area_2022-09-24.pdf
Video tutorial: arb_renewal_Update.mp4

According to the section 16 (2) of ARO, a registered architect shall apply for renewal of registration to the Registrar in the form specified by the Architects Registration Board, HKSAR, not earlier than 3 months and not later than 28 days prior the expiry of the current registration.

The application form can be downloaded from the website [link].

The receipt can be downloaded from the website [link].

Please send your request to ARB Secretariat (arbsec@arb.org.hk)

The ARB certificate for renewal of registration can be re-issued. Please go to the website address and complete the form and settle the payment online.

The ARB Form 04 can also be downloaded from our website, please print and complete the form with a cheque to our office.

The 1 st ARB certificate of registration can be re-issued. Please go to the website address and complete the ARB Form 05 and settle the payment.

The ARB Form 05 can also be downloaded from our website, please print and complete the form with a cheque to our office.

You may check your payment record from the RA Area.

Please go to the page under personal particulars [address link].

Concerning your plan to leave Hong Kong, section 19 of the ARO provides that you should notify the Board if you are likely to be absent from Hong Kong for a continuous period of more than 6 months.

If your plan is to leave Hong Kong permanently, your attention is drawn to section 20(1)(c) and 20(2) of the ARO that the Registrar may remove your name from the register if in the opinion of the Board you cease to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, which can be understood that your absence from Hong Kong is for a period of 2 years or more.

Once you have decided that you are to leave Hong Kong, you should contact us and apply to discontinue your registration. Your voluntary withdrawal will be recorded. One day, if you decide to return to Hong Kong, you can re-apply for registration should you be interested to become a registered architect again.

You are temporarily absent from Hong Kong. The circumstances of the person and the absence are relevant in determining whether a person has ceased to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong. The circumstances may include -

i. the reason, duration and frequency of any absence from Hong Kong;
ii. whether he has habitual residence in Hong Kong;
iii. employment by a Hong Kong based company; and
iv. the whereabouts of the principal members of his family (spouse and minor children).

Your attention is drawn to section 20(1)(c) and 20(2) of the ARO that the Registrar may remove your name from the register if in the opinion of the Board you cease to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, which can be understood that your absence from Hong Kong is for a period of 2 years or more.

i. I will move overseas
ii. I will be retired

Please notify ARB that your updated status by email or post and we will update our record.

i. I will be retired HKIA member

According to the section 13(1)(a)(i) of the Architects Registration Ordinance (“ARO”) Chapter 408. The Board shall not register a person as a registered architect unless he is a member of the Institute.

According to section 2 of ARO, a “member of the Institute” means a person who is a Member or a Fellow under the constitution of the Institute. As a result of your change to Retired Member, you no longer satisfy the qualification as a “member” as defined under section 2 of the ARO. In accordance with sections 20(1)(e) and 20(4) of ARO, the registrar may remove the name of a registered architect from the register if he has notice that the registered architect has ceased to hold a qualification by virtue of which he was registered.

ii. I have withdrawn HKIA membership

According to the section 13(1)(a)(i) of the Architects Registration Ordinance (“ARO”) Chapter 408. The Board shall not register a person as a registered architect unless he is a member of the Institute.

According to section 2 of ARO, a “member of the Institute” means a person who is a Member or a Fellow under the constitution of the Institute. As a result of your withdrawal of HKIA membership, the register architect will be no longer satisfy the qualification as a “member” as defined under section 2 of the ARO. In accordance with sections 20(1)(e) and 20(4) of ARO, the registrar may remove the name of a registered architect from the register if he has notice that the registered architect has ceased to hold a qualification by virtue of which he was registered.

Please refer to your renewal of registration status in the website [link]

You may withdraw your registered architect status but you will have to re-apply the ARB registration when you wish to resume your registered architect status.

Please send your request to ARB (arbsec@arb.org.hk) for self pick up. The courier service is not available yet.

The application form ARB FORM 01 can be downloaded from [link]. The application can also be submitted online at the “New application” page.

Video tutorial here 

If you are registered with the Architects Registration Board in United Kingdom, please refer to the Non-Local Architectural Professional (NLAP) eligibility requirement from HKIA website and apply for admission.

The ARB FORM 02 is at the “RE-APPLY” page and it can also be downloaded from [link].

Please complete the application form at the “RE-APPLY” page and settle the payment online. The application FORM 01 can also be downloaded from [link].

Please print and complete the form with a cheque and send to our office.

Your re-application will be reviewed by the Registration Committee. If your re- application is approved by the Registration Committee, it will be submitted to the ARB Board for endorsement. We are unable to advise an exact date/time on the approval of your re-application. Once the result is available, a notification will be sent to you.

It is not necessary for the registered architect to re-sit any professional exam. However, a professional Interview may take place if the Registration Committee require.

We accept online payment and cheque payment.

(a) Online payment

i. We accept Master/ Visa card or Alipay (Mainland China) only. Pay online by log in to your account in RA Area at: https://www.arb.org.hk/en/login_tnc and act as instructed.

ii. When you proceed to payment online, you will be directed to AsiaPay’s secure payments site. Please act as instructed.

iii. As soon as your payment has been accepted by AsiaPay, you can download and print your receipt under “Payment Details and Receipts” for your record.

(b) Crossed cheque

i. Payable to: Architects Registration Board

ii. Upload your cheque image in jpg or png file format. Pdf file format is not accepted.

iii. Write ARB registration number and full name at the back of the cheque

iv. Post your crossed cheque by post OR submit in person at the reception (ARB Secretariat, 19/F, One Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong).   

v. Do not send post-dated cheque.

Submission of application & payment

The application and required fee(s) must be submitted by the application deadline. Application would be deemed unsuccessful and all fees paid are non-refundable if applications fail to submit the required items. Applicants are required to submit new application and provide supporting documents together with the appropriate fees again should they wish to re-apply.

Acknowledgement

As soon as we confirm your payment, you will receive a receipt by email. You can download and print it. It will also be saved under “Payment Details and Receipts” for your record.

For cheque payment, please allow 7-14 days working days to process your application if you have already sent us a cheque.

We strongly recommend that you do not use another person’s credit card as disputes may arise.

i. if I am retired.

A: According to section 20 of the ARO, "The Board shall not be liable to refund to a person any fee, or any part of any fee, on the removal of his name from the register.

ii. if my HKIA membership was withdrawn/ terminated.

A: According to section 20 of the ARO, "The Board shall not be liable to refund to a person any fee, or any part of any fee, on the removal of his name from the register.

iii. if I have overpaid.

A: According to section 20 of the ARO, "The Board shall not be liable to refund to a person any fee, or any part of any fee, on the removal of his name from the register.

iv. If the registered architect is deceased.

Pursuant to section 20(1)(a), the Registrar may remove the name of a RA from the register if the RA died, and the name removal does not require to serve the 28-day notice.

According to section 20 of the ARO, "The Board shall not be liable to refund to a person any fee, or any part of any fee, on the removal of his name from the register.

May we draw your attention that timely renewal of registration is the obligation of Registered Architects (RAs) under section 16(6) of Architects Registration Ordinance (“ARO”). Any change of your particulars or details as required under section 12(3) such as address has to be notified to ARB within 28 days. Please understand that ample time has been allowed for the application to be made, and note also that reminders by post and by emails had been issued by the Secretariat. Your request of waiving fee for the Extension of Time (“EOT”) therefore could not be acceded to.

No, the fee for renewal of registration are the same for all registered architect.

ARB does not issue INVOICE or DEBIT NOTE to the Registered Architect. The RA has to submit their application for renewal of registration “… not earlier than 3 months and not later than 28 days prior to the expiry of the current registration.” (section 16(2) of the ARO). [Standard fee for renewal: HK$1,300]

The receipt can be downloaded from the website [link].

Please send documentary evidence for these two payment transactions (include the payment proof with payment date and reference number) and your reasons to ARB at fees@arb.org.hk for consideration

Please send your enquiry to ARB (arbsec@arb.org.hk).

Please send your enquiry to ARB (arbsec@arb.org.hk).

The Buildings Department (BD) will display names appointed on their website in due course. Registered Architects having been appointed or re-appointed by the BD will be notified in the letter of BD sent to them. ARB will also post the appointments as advised by BD on ARB’s website.

ARB are generally not report the nominations.

Section 9 of the ARO requires the Board to issue rules laying down the standards of professional conduct and discipline expected of registered architects under the ARO. You may view the ARB Code of Professional Conduct here [hyperlink].

Under section 13(2)(b) of ARO, the Board may refuse to register a person as a registered architect if he has committed misconduct or neglect in professional respect. Under section 21(2) of ARO, a registered architect who commits misconduct or neglect in a professional respect commits a disciplinary offence. Under section 22(7) of ARO, it shall be taken into account in any disciplinary offence before the Board’s Inquiry Committee [Section 22(7) of ARO].

You are expected to be guided in your professional conduct and professional work by the spirit of the Code as well as by its express terms. The fact that a course of conduct is not specifically referred to the Code does not mean it cannot form the basis of disciplinary proceedings. Each case is judged on its facts.