1)      Educational Qualification

Not all architectural programmes are accredited / recognised by HKIA/ARB. The following allows you to find an accredited architectural programme for the purpose of applying HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.

If you study in Hong Kong, please refer to (a) below.
If you study outside Hong Kong, please refer to (b) and (c) below.

a)     Graduates from the Professional Architectural Programmes accredited by HKIA/ARB

In Hong Kong, the following pre-professional and professional architectural degrees are accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board of Hong Kong (ARB):

Graduates from the accredited pre-professional programme MUST further complete a professional degree programme in architecture recognized by HKIA/ARB in order to become eligible for the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.

b)      Graduates from Professional Architectural Programmes recognized by the HKIA/ARB

HKIA/ARB also recognize the equivalent professional degree courses in the mainland or overseas universities which are accredited / recognized by:

- The National Board of Architectural Accreditation (NBAA) of China
- The Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA)*
- The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of USA
- The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)
- The New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB)
- Architects Registration Board, United Kingdom (ARBUK)
- Canberra Accord signatories

For the current list of HKIA/ARB accredited / recognized professional programmes, please refer below:

 

*The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) announced its official withdrawal from the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), with retrospective effect from 20th October 2025. A transitional arrangement of two (2) years, commencing from the withdrawal date of 20 October 2025, will be implemented. For details of the transitional arrangement, please refer to  https://hkia.net/en/whats-on/3/information/detail/1106 

Note: For information on Non-local Professional Architectural Programmes, please refer to the latest announcements from the aforementioned national bodies.

c)      Graduates of Other Schools

Graduates from programmes not accredited or recognised by HKIA/ARB may apply for PA, subject to positive review of their academic qualifications through the Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA) conducted by HKIA. Application for Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA) shall be made in writing to the HKIA/ARB (email to joinhkia@hkia.org.hk).

Note : Graduates from schools not accredited or recognised by HKIA/ARB, with less than 5 years of full-time study in architecture, are required to make up for the shortfall by undergoing an additional period of recognised practical experience, before they are allowed to take Papers 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8.

Academic Qualification Assessment (AQA)
Summary List of past AQA applications

Graduates holding pre-professional degrees in architecture not accredited or recognised by HKIA/ARB AND obtained in a jurisdiction without provision for accreditation of pre-professional degrees may apply for Portfolio Assessment. Applications for the Portfolio Assessment should be made in writing to the HKIA/ARB (email to joinhkia@hkia.org.hk).

Portfolio Assessment
Summary List of past Portfolio Assessment applications

2)      Practical Experience           

a)  For Papers 3, 4 and 5

Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 12 months of recognized practical experience before taking on Paper 3, 4 and 5 of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.
 

b)  For Papers 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8

Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 24 months of recognized practical experience before taking on Paper 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 of the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment.

For the detailed requirements on the practical experience recognized by the HKIA/ARB for Professional Assessment, please refer to HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook Section 2.