Ireland
Country Profile
ACE Member Organisations
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland RIAI
8 Merrion square – Dublin 2
Tel : + 353 1 676 17 03
Fax : + 353 1 661 09 48
President: Sean Mahon
Head of Delegation: Kathryn Meghen
The statistics are sourced from the The Architectural Profession in Europe 2024 Sector Study.
Access to the profession
| Academic training | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Comments | Programme of acquisition of competences – Academic training of 5 years at any of the six recognised schools of architecture that have their courses prescribed. These include University College Dublin (UCD), Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), University of Limerick (SAUL), Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE), South East Technological University (SETU Waterford), Atlantic Technological University (ATU Sligo). – Degree: B.Arch. or M.Arch. – Compulsory professional experience of 2 years – Compulsory professional examination recognised by the RIAI (on the basis of the RIAI’s list of competences). This examination can be organised by the schools or by the RIAI itself. – Compulsory registration introduced in May 2008. – Demonstration of Compliance with the RIAI CPD policy is a legal requirement for continued regsitration. CPD support and monitoring are both provided through the RIAI’s online CPD Recording system MyRIAI CPD. |
| Entrance examination | No |
| If yes How much time | 2 years |
| Professional training needed? | Yes |
| Qualified as | Architectural Graduate |
Continuous Professional Development
| Are certain subjects mandatory? | No |
|---|---|
| Development of the trainings: A. Estimated number of courses/year B. Estimated number of participants/year C. Estimated lesson hours/year | A Approx 30 per year. B Approx 1000 C Approx 180 lesson hours per year (30 x 6 Hours) |
| Do you have a database of the content of your CPD programme? | Yes |
| Do you have any evaluation criteria for the CPD material? | YES RIAI Standard and Article 46 of the PQD |
| Does a system of CPD for architects exists in your country? | Yes |
| If it is compulsory, is it required by law or by a Code of Conduct? | Yes it is required by law and the code of conduct |
| If it is regulated, who regulates the system: A professional body A governmental body A combination of the two? | A professional body, the RIAI |
| If yes: Is it compulsory? Is it encouraged? Is it free? | Yes Yes Yes |
| Is it organised? | Yes |
| Is this required level validated or checked and how: A. Not requested B. Attendance tracking C. Attendance tracking D. Self-assessment using self-test E. By regular checks F. Examination G. Thesis H. Other means (e.g. electronic monitoring)? | H + E + C+B |
| Is training (provision) delivered abroad accepted? | Yes |
| Level of requirements for the architects: | 40 Hours of CPD, at least 20 of which must be structured. |
| What kind of sanction is applied for the non-compliance with CPD obligation: A. None B. Reprimand C. Expulsion from the register D. Other? | C |
| What level of training is provided: | Not mapped to European Qualifications Framework – CPD only |
| What types of activities or provisions are accepted: | Any activity that is relevant to the competencies of an architect (Article 46 of the PQD) |
| Who provides the courses? | Industry, Private Sector, RIAI |
| Who recognises (accredits) these trainings? | the RIAI |
Liability and insurance
| Are Architects obligation to carry insurance? | Yes – under the Code of Conduct |
|---|---|
| Comments | |
| How are insurance premiums calculated? | |
| Insurances/Agents | |
| Legal Basis: what are the most commonly used Term and Conditions: | |
| What are the requirements for obtaining insurance? | 6 years of a contract signed under hand, 12 years for a contract signed under seal, and 6 years for faulty deeds (counted from the onset of the damage) |
| What forms of Insurance contract exist: |
Professional title
| Competent authority | Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) |
|---|---|
| If yes, Where? | Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) |
| Mandatory Registration | Yes Registration is compulsory for those who wish to use the title architect. |
| Professional title | Architect |
| Protection of the function of Architects | No |
| Protection of the title “Architect” | Yes |
Requirements to practice
| What requirements must a European architect fulfill to practice in this country? | Meet the requirements of the Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC and/or The Building Control Act 2007 |
|---|
Traineeship
| Additional compulsory practical training – internship | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Complementary professional education | |
| Compulsory Professional examination | Yes. |
| Compulsory professional experience (requirement for access to the professional examination) Where? To which conditions | In Practice |
| Evaluation method used | Exam, oral interview and case study. |
| Evaluation of the professional experience | Yes |
| Model form of contract available | Yes |
| Number of hours per month required | Full time employment |
| Period of traineeship supervised (overseen) By who? | Yes Registered Architect |
| Professional practice undertaken abroad taken into account | Yes |
| Remuneration of the professional experience | Yes |
| Requirement for undertaking compulsory professional experience as a requirement for access to the professional examination | Yes |
| Specific supplementary courses organised | Yes |
| Trainee accompanied | Yes |