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Deadline approaching for mandatory professional development: Stay current with your CPD requirements

Architects preparing to submit records of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, following the ARB and RIBA's overhaul. John Ramshaw clarifies the new regulations and the potential repercussions for non-adherence.

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Architects Prepare to Present Proofs of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Activities Due to...
Architects Prepare to Present Proofs of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Activities Due to ARB and RIBA Overhaul. John Ramshaw Details New Standards and Penalties for Failure to Comply.

Deadline approaching for mandatory professional development: Stay current with your CPD requirements

Architects across the UK are preparing to submit their professional development activities due to a major overhaul by the ARB and RIBA following the passing of the Building Safety Act (2022). John Ramshaw provides an overview of the new guidelines and the consequences for those who fail to meet the standards.

What's Changed?

The ARB and RIBA have made substantial changes to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for architects, focusing on activities and outcomes. The changes aim to make the process more accessible and flexible while ensuring architects maintain and improve their skill sets in the ever-evolving field of construction.

Defining CPD for Architects

CPD, as defined by the ARB, is a combination of techniques, ideas, and approaches that help professionals maintain and improve their knowledge, skills, and behavior necessary for their work. Architects can obtain CPD through various formal and informal events, including workshops, e-learning programs, conferences, seminars, and idea sharing.

ARB and RIBA Requirements

Both the ARB and RIBA have introduced new CPD schemes, with the ARB's program focusing on outcomes, outcomes application to practice, and next steps for further development. Architects are encouraged to create a personal development plan (PDP) identifying areas for growth, although this is not mandatory. There is no minimum requirement for the number of CPD activities; however, architects are suggested to complete at least eight per year. The mandatory topics for 2024 are limited to environmental sustainability and fire and life safety.

The RIBA's revised CPD rules have simplified the process, removing the need for members to assign points or learning levels to their activities. Instead, members must complete a minimum of 35 hours of relevant learning (45 minutes a week), with at least 20 hours spent on ten mandatory RIBA core curriculum CPD topics (two hours per topic). Half of the CPD should be structured, using formal courses or seminars.

Compliance and Enforcement

Both the ARB and RIBA will audit a percentage of architects' CPD records each year, with temporary exemptions granted to those who cannot complete their CPD. Architects who do not meet the required standards will be able to take corrective steps before being removed from the Register of Architects. The RIBA will resume auditing members' CPD records, with non-compliance resulting in sanctions, including suspension and eventual expulsion.

A New Era for Architects

With the new CPD requirements now in force, architects must adapt and stay updated to ensure they remain competitive and well-informed. Participating in relevant CPD courses, staying up-to-date with changing building safety regulations, and understanding gateway processes are crucial for success in the industry. Failing to comply with the new guidelines could result in professional sanctions, project delays, and reputational and legal risks.

For more guidance and support, consider joining the School of Specification to access valuable resources on essential topics such as the Building Safety Act, fire safety, legal responsibilities, low carbon specification, and much more.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the new CPD legislation and expert advice on ensuring compliance as an architect in the UK.

  1. In the new CPD rules for architects, environmental sustainability is one of the mandatory topics for 2024.
  2. The RIBA's CPD rules suggest that architects complete at least half of their CPD through structured, formal courses or seminars.
  3. Architects can improve their skill sets in the ever-evolving field of construction through workshops, e-learning programs, conferences, seminars, and idea sharing.
  4. Architects are encouraged to create a personal development plan (PDP) but there is no mandatory requirement for the number of CPD activities.
  5. The ARB's CPD program focuses on outcomes, outcomes application to practice, and next steps for further development.
  6. In the UK, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping are industries that are not mandatory topics for architects' CPD activities but could still provide valuable knowledge related to lifestyle improvements and business opportunities.

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