s 15 Qualifications for registration
15.—(1) Subject to this section, the following persons are, on payment of the prescribed fee, entitled to registration under this Act:(a) any person holding —(i) the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture from the National University of Singapore or the University of Singapore; or (ii) the Degree of Masters of Architecture from the National University of Singapore or the Singapore University of Technology and Design; (b) any person holding any other degree, diploma or qualification which the Minister may, after consultation with the Board and by notification in the Gazette, approve for the purpose of entitling the holder thereof to be registered under this Act; or (c) any person who satisfies the Board that the person is otherwise qualified by having proper and recognised training in architecture and who passes such oral or written examinations as may be prescribed.[28/2005; 20/2017] (2) A person is not entitled to registration under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) unless the person satisfies the Board as to any of the following:(a) that the person has, after obtaining his or her qualifications —(i) acquired at least 2 years of such practical experience in architectural work as may be prescribed or approved by the Board (including practical experience in architectural work in Singapore for a continuous period of at least 12 months); and (ii) passed such professional practice examination as may be prescribed or approved by the Board; (b) that the person has, after obtaining his or her qualifications —(i) acquired at least 5 years of such practical experience in architectural work as may be recognised by the Board (including not less than 2 years of the prescribed practical experience in architectural work in Singapore with a continuous period of at least 12 months of such prescribed practical experience being acquired within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of the person’s application for registration under this Act); and (ii) passed such oral or written examination as may be prescribed by the Board; (c) that the person has, after obtaining his or her qualifications —(i) acquired at least 10 years of such practical experience in architectural work as may be recognised by the Board; (ii) received any commendation or award at any international architectural event, or from any professional body whose architectural degree or qualification is recognised by the Board; and (iii) passed such oral or written examination as may be prescribed by the Board.[28/2005; 20/2017] (2AA) Despite subsection (2), the Board may, subject to subsection (2AB) and any conditions that the Board may impose, take into account any pre-qualification practical experience of such nature and duration as may be recognised by the Board which is acquired by a person who qualifies for registration under subsection (1)(a) or (b), for the purpose of satisfying the requisite number of years of practical experience mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(i), (b)(i) or (c)(i).[Act 15 of 2026 wef 01/05/2026] (2AB) For the purpose of subsection (2AA), the Board may only take into account a person’s pre-qualification practical experience that —(a) commences on or after 1 May 2026; and (b) is acquired in Singapore. [Act 15 of 2026 wef 01/05/2026] (2AC) Despite subsection (2), the Board may, subject to any conditions that the Board may impose, take into account any pre-qualification practical experience of such nature and duration as may be recognised by the Board which is acquired by a person who qualifies for registration under subsection (1)(c), for the purpose of satisfying the requisite number of years of practical experience mentioned in subsection (2)(b)(i) or (c)(i).[Act 15 of 2026 wef 01/05/2026] (2AD) For the purpose of subsection (2AC), the Board may take into account a person’s pre-qualification practical experience —(a) whether it commences before, on or after 1 May 2026; and (b) whether it is acquired in Singapore or elsewhere. [Act 15 of 2026 wef 01/05/2026] (2A) Despite subsections (1) and (2), any foreign architect who is first authorised to practise architecture in a country or territory outside Singapore which is a participating jurisdiction and who intends to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore, is entitled to registration under this Act —(a) upon payment of the prescribed fee; and (b) if the foreign architect has such qualifications, requisite practical experience in architectural work, and has passed such oral or written examinations, as may be approved by the Board.[20/2017] (2B) A registration of a foreign architect under subsection (1) or (2A) may be subject to such prohibitions, restrictions or conditions as to the practice of architecture in Singapore as the Board may impose.[20/2017] (3) The Minister may, after consultation with the Board, by order in the Gazette, exempt, subject to any conditions that the Minister thinks fit, any person from the requirements of subsection (2). (4) The Board may refuse to register any applicant who in the opinion of the Board —(a) is not of good character and reputation; or (b) is unable to carry out the duties of an architect effectively. (5) Any person whose application for registration under subsection (1) has been refused by the Board may, within 30 days after being notified of the refusal, appeal to the General Division of the High Court whose decision is final.[20/2017; 40/2019] (6) In this section, “pre-qualification practical experience” means any practical experience in architectural work acquired by a person before he or she qualifies for registration under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c).[Act 15 of 2026 wef 01/05/2026]