The exam: A closed book, 75-minute, computer examination. Click here for a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Architectural Practice Examination. Pathways to Registration as an Architect in Australia The most common pathway to registration is completion of an accredited Australian architecture qualification followed by the Architectural Practice Examination. In Australia, only people who have been accredited through this process may call themselves an Architect. Ari: It helped me understand that you can never know everything and even if I was to wait several years before tackling my registration, I would still have gaps in my knowledge. Ari: The most important thing with not only your logbook but more so your statement of experience is making sure it is 100% true. Romina: Before starting the process of registration I really didn’t know what was involved apart from a log book with 3300 hours, an exam and an interview. Approaching registration is no simple tasks. As a result of this, I now regularly brief new clients and produce schematic/concept designs as part of my everyday work. Peter: Finding the confidence to start – I had gaps in experience (not through lack of trying), had suffered poor mental health and had learning disabilities associated with rote learning. Peter: While I didn’t keep a logbook, I was fastidious in recording my timesheets in my outlook calendar for when I had to complete the logbook. Becoming a graduate of architecture did not feel like I had fully achieved what I began, but now becoming registered does have that feeling of completion.” Kiril: “The biggest motivator was the support Guymer Bailey Architects provided and the Practicing Architecture (PARC) course I attended. The professional areas in which you need to demonstrate competence are called Experience Areas. 2. After sitting PALS for a second time at the beginning of last year and reviewing my logbook experience, I decided it was time to attempt registration. I was constantly checking in with my leaders so that they understood where I was at. You likely picked out an age you wanted to be registered by in your 10-year plan that you made up when you were in high school. Your local Architect’s Board sets the fee. This is a really stressful process and it doesn’t define you. An APEC architect is a person who is registered, licensed or otherwise professionally recognised as an architect in a participating economy, and whose name is enrolled on a section of the APEC architect register maintained by that economy. To become an architect, you’ll have to earn a license by completing your local architecture board’s specific requirements. A Registered Company can practise the profession of “architecture” if at least one company director is a registered architect. I also included a few scenarios where something may have gone wrong (it is real life after all) and how I successfully rectified the scenario. If you’re in a sticky situation at work, check the Acumen Practice Notes and see if there are any guide notes or letters that have some information that you can use. small scale residential right through to international mega-form projects. Don’t rely on your employer to be forthcoming with the timesheets if something goes awry, either personally or technologically. I feel like this is across the board for many of us so I don’t feel alone on that one! Peter: I didn’t feel I was ready. It required a lot of effort to wrap your head around the process and to approach it professionally and dedicate the time needed to the process. Don’t get me wrong, it’s dead boring, but it helps so much with the exam and interview. At registration, had 3.5 years thorough post-grad experience in a small residential firm. Start the Exam Step 2, you’ll need to take and pass a four-part examination, called the Landscape Architect Registration Examination” or L.A.R.E., in order to become licensed.The L.A.R.E. Tip: Examiners mainly want to know that you’re well equipped if they pass you. It is an open platform of learning and discussion and you surprise yourself every week as to just how much you are learning and how clear the whole architectural realm becomes, especially amongst all the regulatory and building reform happening. Now write down every single task you would need to perform on that project from inception to completion if you were the sole architect in charge. All practising architects/businesses must maintain professional indemnity insurance. To be eligible for individual registration as an architect in Victoria you must: have an accredited academic qualification in architecture or a pass in the National Program of Assessment have a minimum of two years recent practical experience and knowledge of the competency-based standards The whole process is quite testing and frustrating at times; especially when the architectural world is constantly evolving both legally and practically, so you need to ensure your love and passion for architecture surpasses any hatred of late nights reading after work or missed weekends out with your mates. I was also really intrigued that the formatting for the Statement of Practical Experience wasn’t clearly outlined with a simple template that candidates could just fill out themselves. Don't know where to start? Applications for Registration will open on Monday 1 February and close Sunday 28 February 2021. You might find that once you allow yourself to relax, you’ll pass with flying colours. 3. Write questions as you come across them and find a registered architect to sit down for an hour to go through them. Delayed due to a lack of contract administration experience, but worked around this by referencing related experience. To be eligible for full registration, you must: hold a Bachelor degree, Masters degree or other qualification in the discipline of architecture accredited by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia pass a competency examination arranged by the Board if you do not hold the required qualifications Romina: Throughout the process I found myself questioning whether I was doing/focussing on the right thing. You can view a sample of the exam and the type of questions you will experience here. Finding the idea scary and don't really know what you need to do? Try and get your employers to pay for it – it’s in their interests to have registered architects and can sometimes lower their insurance premiums. 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