Architects Act 1991

Architects Act 1991

2020 REVISED EDITION

This revised edition incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 December 2021 and comes into operation on 31 December 2021

An Act to establish the Board of Architects, to provide for the registration of architects, and to regulate the qualifications and practice of architects and the supply of architectural services in Singapore by corporations, partnerships and limited liability partnerships.

[28/2005]

[30 August 1991]

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

Short title

1.  This Act is the Architects Act 1991.

Interpretation

2.  In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —

“allied professional” means —

(a) a professional engineer who is registered under the Professional Engineers Act 1991; or

(b) a land surveyor who is a registered surveyor under the Land Surveyors Act 1991;

[Act 25 of 2024 wef 01/10/2025]

“architectural firm” means —

(a) a partnership comprising wholly of registered architects, each of whom has in force a practising certificate; or

(b) a sole proprietorship comprising a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate;

“architectural practice” means —

(a) an architectural firm;

(b) a limited corporation licensed under section 20(1);

(c) an unlimited corporation licensed under section 20(2);

(d) a partnership licensed under section 20(3); or

(e) a limited liability partnership licensed under section 20(4);

“architectural services” includes selling or supplying for gain or reward any architectural plan, drawing, tracing or the like for use in the construction, enlargement or alteration of any building or part thereof;

“Board” means the Board of Architects established under section 4;

“builder”, “building” and “building works” have the meanings given by the Building Control Act 1989;

“building authority” means any person empowered under the provisions of the Building Control Act 1989 to approve plans of building works;

“certificate of registration” means a certificate of registration issued under section 17;

“Commissioner of Building Control” means any person empowered under the provisions of the Building Control Act 1989 to approve plans of building works;

“Disciplinary Committee” means a Disciplinary Committee appointed under section 31C;

“foreign architect” means any person who is authorised to practise as an architect in a country or territory outside Singapore under the law of that country or territory;

“foreign registration authority”, for any country or territory outside Singapore, means the person in that country or territory having the function conferred by the laws of that country or territory of registering persons in connection with the persons carrying on the practice of architecture in that country or territory;

“Investigation Committee” means an Investigation Committee appointed under section 30;

“Investigation Panel” means the Investigation Panel appointed under section 27;

“licence” means a licence to supply architectural services in Singapore granted under section 20;

“licensed”, in relation to a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership, means a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership which has in force a licence;

“limited liability partnership” has the meaning given by section 4(1) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005;

“limited partnership” means a limited partnership registered under the Limited Partnerships Act 2008;

“manager”  —

(a) in relation to a corporation or partnership, means the principal executive officer of the corporation or partnership for the time being by whatever name called and whether or not he or she is a director or partner thereof; and

(b) in relation to a limited liability partnership, has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005;

“nominee”, in relation to any person, means a person who is accustomed or under an obligation (whether formal or informal) to act in accordance with the directions, instructions or wishes of another person, except that a person is not to be regarded as a nominee of another person by reason only that the person acts on advice given by that other person in a professional capacity;

“participating jurisdiction” means any country or territory outside Singapore in relation to which an arrangement under section 6A(2) is in force;

“partnership” includes a limited partnership;

“practising certificate” means —

(a) in relation to a registered architect — an annual certificate issued under section 18 authorising him or her to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore;

(b) in relation to an allied professional who is a professional engineer registered under the Professional Engineers Act 1991 — a practising certificate issued under section 28 of that Act; and

(c) in relation to an allied professional who is a registered surveyor under the Land Surveyors Act 1991 — a practising certificate issued under section 15 of that Act;

[Act 25 of 2024 wef 01/10/2025]

“president” means the president of the Board;

“register of architects” means the register of architects kept and maintained by the Board under section 8(1)(a);

“register of licensees” means the annual register of licensed corporations, partnerships and limited liability partnerships kept by the Board under section 8(1)(e);

“register of practitioners” means the annual register of practitioners kept by the Board under section 8(1)(d);

“registered architect” means a person registered as an architect under section 15(1) or (2A);

“Registrar” means the Registrar of the Board, and includes any individual acting in that capacity;

“rules” means rules made by the Board under section 38;

“unlimited corporation” means a corporation formed on the principle of having no limit placed on the liability of its members.

[18/2003; 28/2005; 20/2017; 5/2018]

Act not to apply to Government, naval and landscape architects, etc.

3.—(1)  Nothing in this Act applies to anything done or omitted to be done by the Government or a public officer under the authority of the Government.

(2)  This Act does not apply to naval architects and landscape architects.

(3)  This Act is not to be construed as requiring any public authority which supplies architectural services in Singapore under the provisions of any written law to obtain a licence.

(4)  In subsection (3), “public authority” means any body established by or under any written law and exercising powers vested therein by written law for a public purpose.

PART 2

BOARD OF ARCHITECTS

Establishment of Board of Architects

4.  A body called the Board of Architects is established in Singapore, which is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, with power, subject to the provisions of this Act —

(a) to sue and be sued in its corporate name;

(b) to acquire and dispose of property, both movable and immovable; and

(c) to do and perform any other acts that bodies corporate may by law perform.

Constitution of Board

4A.—(1)  The Board consists of the following members:

(a) the Commissioner of Building Control;

(b) the president of the Singapore Institute of Architects;

(c) not more than 6 registered architects who have in force a practising certificate —

(i) to be elected by registered architects who have in force a practising certificate; or

(ii) failing such election, to be appointed by the Minister under subsection (2);

(d) 6 registered architects to be appointed by the Minister; and

(e) a registered professional engineer to be appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the Professional Engineers Board.

[28/2005]

(2)  If elections held for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) result in less than 6 persons being elected as members of the Board, the Minister may appoint such number, as he or she thinks fit, of registered architects who have in force a practising certificate to be members of the Board, except that the number of members so appointed and the number of members elected under subsection (1)(c) must not exceed 6 in total.

[28/2005]

(3)  The members elected under subsection (1)(c) hold office for a term not exceeding 3 years and are eligible for re‑election.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(3A)  However, a person is ineligible for re‑election to office as a member under subsection (1)(c) if the re‑election would result in the person holding office as a member for 3 consecutive terms.

[20/2017]

(4)  Only registered architects of at least 10 years’ standing may be elected under subsection (1)(c) or appointed under subsection (2) as members of the Board.

[28/2005]

(5)  The members appointed under subsection (1)(d) or (e) or (2) hold office for a term not exceeding 3 years and are eligible for re‑appointment.

[28/2005]

(6)  The Minister may, at any time, revoke the appointment of any member appointed under subsection (1)(d) or (2) without giving any reason.

[28/2005]

Compulsory voting

4B.—(1)  Every registered architect who has in force a practising certificate on the day of the election of candidates as members of the Board under section 4A(1)(c) must vote for the election of those members at the time and in the manner prescribed, if any.

[28/2005]

(2)  Every registered architect who is required to vote for the election of the members of the Board in accordance with subsection (1) and who fails to do so is not entitled to apply for a practising certificate unless he or she —

(a) satisfies the Registrar that he or she had a good and sufficient reason for not voting at the election; or

(b) pays to the Board a penalty prescribed by the Board.

[28/2005]

President of Board

4C.—(1)  The Board must have a president who is elected by the members of the Board from among its members —

(a) who have been elected under section 4A(1)(c) or appointed under section 4A(2); or

(b) who have been appointed under section 4A(1)(d).

[28/2005]

(2)  The president elected under subsection (1) must serve for a term not extending beyond the expiry of the term for which he or she has been appointed or elected to be a member of the Board and is eligible for re‑election.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(3)  However, a person is ineligible for re‑election as the president under subsection (1) if the re‑election would result in the person holding office as the president for 3 consecutive terms.

[20/2017]

Disqualifications for membership of Board

4D.  A person is not qualified to be a member of the Board if the person —

(a) is neither a citizen nor a permanent resident of Singapore;

(b) is an undischarged bankrupt or has made any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors;

(c) has been convicted of any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, or of any other offence implying a defect in character which makes him or her unfit for the architectural profession;

(d) has a mental disorder and is incapable of managing himself or herself or his or her affairs, or is incapacitated by physical illness; or

(e) has at any time after due inquiry been found guilty by a Disciplinary Committee of improper conduct.

[28/2005; 21/2008]

Filling of vacancies

4E.—(1)  The office of a member of the Board becomes vacant if the member —

(a) dies;

(b) resigns or is removed from office; or

(c) becomes in any manner disqualified for office within the meaning of section 4D.

[28/2005]

(2)  The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, remove from office any member of the Board who is absent without leave of the Board from 3 consecutive ordinary meetings of —

(a) the Board; or

(b) a Disciplinary Committee of which he or she is a member.

[28/2005]

(3)  Any question as to whether a person has ceased to be a member of the Board is to be decided by the Minister whose decision is final.

[28/2005]

(4)  If any vacancy arises among the elected or appointed members, the Minister must, as soon as practicable, appoint any registered architect to fill that vacancy.

[28/2005]

(5)  Any person appointed to fill the vacancy holds office for the remainder of the term for which his or her predecessor was elected or appointed.

[28/2005]

(6)  The powers of the Board are not affected by any vacancy in its membership.

[28/2005]

(7)  No act done by or under the authority of the Board is invalid in consequence of any defect that is subsequently discovered in the appointment, election or qualification of the members or any of them.

[28/2005]

Meetings and quorum of Board

4F.—(1)  At any meeting of the Board, 8 members form a quorum and no business may be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present.

[28/2005]

(2)  At any meeting of the Board, the president presides and in his or her absence the members present must elect from among themselves one member to preside over the meeting.

[28/2005]

(3)  If on any question to be determined by the Board there is an equality of votes, the president or the member presiding over that meeting has a casting vote.

[28/2005]

(4)  Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, the Board may determine its own procedure.

[28/2005; 5/2018]

(5)  The Board must cause proper records of its proceedings to be kept.

[28/2005]

Common seal of Board

5.—(1)  The common seal of the Board must bear such device as the Board may approve and the seal may be broken, changed, altered or made anew by the Board as it may think fit.

(2)  The common seal must be kept in the custody of the president and must be authenticated by the president or other member acting in the president’s absence.

(3)  Any document purporting to be sealed by the common seal and authenticated as provided under subsection (2) is, until the contrary is proved, deemed to be validly executed.

Functions of Board

6.  The functions of the Board are —

(a) to keep and maintain every register mentioned in section 8(1);

(b) to hold or arrange for the holding of any examinations that the Board considers necessary for the purpose of enabling persons to qualify for registration under this Act;

(c) to establish, maintain and develop standards of professional conduct and ethics of the architectural profession;

(d) to promote learning and education in connection with architecture and the practice of architecture, either alone or in conjunction with any other professional body;

(e) to hear and determine disputes relating to professional conduct or ethics of registered architects or to appoint a committee or arbitrator to hear and determine those disputes;

(f) to appoint arbitrators for the purpose of hearing and determining disputes between registered architects or licensed corporations, partnerships or limited liability partnerships and other persons;

(g) to license corporations, multidiscipline partnerships or limited liability partnerships which intend to supply architectural services in Singapore;

(ga) to facilitate the mutual recognition, within Singapore and any country or territory outside Singapore, of the qualifications and standards regarding the practice of architecture; and

(h) generally to do all acts, matters and things that are necessary to be carried out under the provisions of this Act.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

Powers of Board

6A.—(1)  The Board has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions, including power —

(a) to grant prizes and scholarships in connection with architecture, either alone or in conjunction with any person;

(b) to accept grants, donations or gifts from any source or raise funds by lawful means;

(c) to determine the requirements for continuing professional education, and to organise related courses, programmes and other activities; and

(d) to do any other thing that is necessary or convenient to be carried out for or in connection with, or as incidental to, the performance of its functions.

[20/2017]

(2)  The Board may, with the approval of the Minister, enter into arrangements with the appropriate foreign registration authority of any country or territory outside Singapore for the mutual recognition, within Singapore and that country or territory, of the qualifications and standards adopted by each of the parties to the arrangement regarding the practice of architecture.

[20/2017]

Committees

7.  The Board may appoint such committees from among its members, registered architects or allied professionals as it thinks fit to assist or advise the Board on such matters arising out of its functions under this Act as are referred to them by the Board.

Registers

8.—(1)  The Board must keep and maintain at its office the following registers:

(a) a register of architects containing the names of persons registered under section 15(1) or (2A) and any other particulars determined by the Board;

(b) a register containing the names of persons recognised under section 15A and any other particulars determined by the Board;

(c) a register of exempted architects containing the names of registered architects to whom an exemption under section 15(3) applies, and any other particulars determined by the Board;

(d) an annual register of practitioners containing the particulars as contained in the declaration delivered under section 18(3)(a) and any other particulars determined by the Board;

(e) an annual register of licensees containing the names and addresses of all licensed corporations, partnerships and limited liability partnerships issued with a licence and any other particulars determined by the Board.

[20/2017]

(2)  A person may, with the Registrar’s approval and upon payment of the prescribed fee, obtain an extract from any register kept and maintained under subsection (1).

[20/2017]

Appointment and duties of Registrar

9.—(1)  There must be a chief executive of the Board called the Registrar of the Board, whose appointment and removal must be in accordance with the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018.

[5/2018]

(1A)  The Board may, subject to the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, appoint an individual to act temporarily as the Registrar during any period, or during all periods, when the Registrar —

(a) is absent from duty or Singapore; or

(b) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

[5/2018]

(2)  In addition to duties under the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, the Registrar must —

(a) be under the general direction of the Board;

(b) sign all certificates of registration, practising certificates and licences; and

(c) record all relevant entries in any register kept and maintained under section 8(1), including any suspension, cancellation or reinstatement of registration in any of the registers.

[20/2017; 5/2018]

(3)  The Registrar must attend all meetings of the Board and record the proceedings of those meetings, and must conduct the correspondence and deal with any matters that the president or the Board may assign to the Registrar.

(4)  The Registrar must publish, in a manner that will secure adequate publicity to the general public, the following:

(a) as soon as possible after 1 January each year, a list containing the names, qualifications and addresses of all registered architects who, on that date, have in force a practising certificate and the names of the architectural practices under which they are practising, or that are employing them;

(b) from time to time, supplementary lists of the names, qualifications, addresses and the names of the architectural practices of persons added to or removed from the register of practitioners.

[20/2017]

(5)  In any proceedings, a list published under subsection (4) is sufficient evidence that the persons whose names appear in the list are registered architects who have in force practising certificates.

PART 3

PRIVILEGES OF ARCHITECTS

Illegal practice

10.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not draw or prepare any architectural plan, drawing, tracing, design, specification or other document intended to govern the construction, enlargement or alteration of any building or part of a building in Singapore unless the person —

(a) is a registered architect —

(i) who has in force a practising certificate; or

(ii) who, if he or she is not required to obtain a practising certificate, is doing so in accordance with any prohibition, restriction or condition of his or her registration;

(b) is doing so under the direction or supervision of a person mentioned in paragraph (a); or

(c) is exempt under section 36 from this section.

[20/2017]

(2)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not sign and submit to a building authority or to a public authority (as defined in section 3(4)) —

(a) any architectural plan, drawing, tracing, design, specification or other document intended to govern the construction, enlargement or alteration of any building or part of a building in Singapore; or

(b) any report, certificate or other document relating to the construction, enlargement or alteration of any building or part of a building which is required by any written law to be signed by an architect,

unless the person is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate.

[28/2005]

(2A)  Any document that is signed in contravention of subsection (2) is invalid.

(3)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not —

(a) use verbally or otherwise the word “architect” or any of its derivatives in connection with the person’s business designation, or any other words, name or designation that will lead to the belief that the person is an architect unless the person is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate;

(b) advertise or hold himself, herself or itself out, or conduct himself, herself or itself in any way or by any means, as a person who is authorised to supply architectural services in Singapore, unless the person is —

(i) a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate; or

(ii) an architectural practice;

(c) use the word “architect” or any of its derivatives as part of the name of an architectural practice unless the person is authorised under this Act to supply architectural services; or

(d) use verbally or otherwise the word “architect” or the abbreviation “Ar.” as a title before the person’s name unless the person is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(4)  Nothing in subsection (3)(b) prevents a corporation or limited liability partnership that ceases to have in force a licence from carrying on any activity necessary to the winding up of the corporation or limited liability partnership.

[28/2005]

(5)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not —

(a) supply architectural services in Singapore unless the person is —

(i) a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate and is doing so on the person’s own account or under, or as an employee of, an architectural practice;

(ii) a registered architect who, if he or she is not required to obtain a practising certificate, is doing so in accordance with any prohibition, restriction or condition of his or her registration; or

(iii) a licensed corporation or licensed limited liability partnership; or

(b) offer to supply architectural services in Singapore unless the person is —

(i) a person mentioned in paragraph (a); or

(ii) an allied professional who is doing so only by reason of being a partner in a licensed partnership or licensed limited liability partnership.

[20/2017]

(5A)  Despite subsection (5), a builder may supply or offer to supply architectural services in Singapore in connection with any building works which the builder undertakes to carry out if the architectural services are provided by a person referred to in subsection (5)(a)(i) or (iii).

[18/2003; 20/2017]

(6)  Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3) or (5) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —

(a) in the case of a natural person —

(i) to a fine not exceeding $5,000; and

(ii) if the person is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both; and

(b) in the case of a body corporate —

(i) to a fine not exceeding $5,000; and

(ii) if the body corporate is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

[20/2017]

(7)  In this section, a person is a repeat offender if the person who is convicted, or found guilty, of an offence under subsection (6) has (whether before, on or after 6 October 2017) been convicted or found guilty on at least one other earlier occasion of —

(a) an offence under subsection (6) for contravening subsection (1), (2), (3) or (5); or

(b) an offence under subsection (6) as in force immediately before that date for contravening subsection (1), (2), (3) or (5) as in force immediately before that same date.

[20/2017]

Remuneration for architectural services

11.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person is not entitled to demand, claim or sue for or recover any charge, fee or remuneration for any architectural services supplied by the person in Singapore, or for any offer by the person to supply architectural services in Singapore, in connection with any arbitration, suit or matter, if the person supplying or offering to supply the architectural services is not authorised by this Act to supply those services.

[20/2017]

(2)  Any person, who has made any payment to another person for that other person engaging in conduct which is in contravention of section 10, may recover the money in a court of competent jurisdiction if the person did not know, or have reason to believe, when making payment, that the conduct by that other person was in contravention of section 10.

[20/2017]

Employment or engagement of unregistered architect prohibited

12.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not employ as an architect any other person unless the other person is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate.

[20/2017]

(1A)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, a person must not engage the architectural services of any other person in relation to any building works unless the other person —

(a) is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate; or

(b) is a registered architect who, if he or she is not required to obtain a practising certificate, is supplying the architectural services in accordance with any prohibition, restriction or condition of his or her registration.

[20/2017]

(2)  Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (1A) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, for a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

[20/2017]

Minor building works

13.  Nothing in this Act is to be construed to prohibit or prevent any person not registered under this Act from carrying out work in respect of the construction of or repairs to any building or part of a building in any case in which plans are not required by any written law to be submitted to a building authority or to a public authority (as defined in section 3(4)).

[28/2005]

Relationship with professional engineers, etc.

14.  This Part does not prevent —

(a) a professional engineer who has in force a practising certificate issued under the Professional Engineers Act 1991 or any person under the direction or supervision of such a professional engineer; or

(b) a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership which is licensed under that Act to engage in professional engineering work in Singapore,

from carrying on any activity within the practice of professional engineering which he, she or it is authorised to carry on under that Act where to do so does not constitute a substantial part of services within the practice of architecture.

[28/2005]

PART 4

REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS

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]

(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]

Recognition for purposes of mutual recognition arrangements

15A.—(1)  Subject to this section, any registered architect who intends to supply or offer to supply architectural services in any participating jurisdiction, may apply to be recognised for the purposes of any arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) with a foreign registration authority in that jurisdiction.

[20/2017]

(2)  An application to be recognised for the purposes of an arrangement mentioned in section 6A(2) with a foreign registration authority of a participating jurisdiction must be granted by the Board if, upon payment of the prescribed fee, it is satisfied —

(a) that under the terms of the arrangement, the applicant is eligible to supply or offer to supply those architectural services in the participating jurisdiction if the applicant is first recognised under this section; and

(b) that the applicant —

(i) has the requisite practical experience in architectural work as may be approved by the Board; and

(ii) has passed such oral or written examinations as may be approved by the Board.

[20/2017]

(3)  Any recognition under subsection (2) —

(a) is valid for the period (not exceeding one year) that the Board determines; and

(b) may be renewed upon payment of the prescribed fee.

[20/2017]

Application for registration

16.  Every application for registration under this Act must be made to the Board in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

Certificates of registration

17.  Every registered architect is, on payment of the prescribed fee, entitled to receive a certificate of registration under the hand of the Registrar.

Amendment of registers

17A.  The Registrar must —

(a) amend any register kept and maintained under section 8(1) when there is any alteration which may come to the Registrar’s knowledge in the name, address or other relevant particulars of any person registered;

(b) correct any error in any entry in any such register; and

(c) remove from any such register the name of any person —

(i) whose name has been ordered to be removed under any provision of this Act; or

(ii) who is dead.

[20/2017]

Removal of name and particulars from register of architects

17B.—(1)  The Board may order the name and other particulars of a registered architect to be removed from the register of architects if he or she —

(a) has no address in Singapore at which he or she can be contacted or sent any document using his or her particulars in the register; or

(b) has not renewed his or her practising certificate for a continuous period of at least 10 years.

[28/2005]

(2)  Despite the provisions of Part 7, the Board may order the name and other particulars of a registered architect to be removed from the register of architects if it comes to the knowledge of the Board that —

(a) he or she has obtained his or her registration by fraud or misrepresentation;

(b) his or her qualification for registration under section 15 has been withdrawn or cancelled by the authority through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded; or

(c) he or she refuses or fails to comply with —

(i) an order made (whether before, on or after 6 October 2017) by the Board under section 31B(1)(a) (pursuant to the recommendation of an Investigation Committee under section 31A(d)), or under section 31B(1)(c);

(ii) an order made (whether before, on or after 6 October 2017) by a Disciplinary Committee under section 31G(2)(c) or (3) to pay a penalty or sum, or under section 31G(2)(e); or

(iii) any prohibition, restriction or condition imposed by the Board under section 15(2B).

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(3)  The Board must, before exercising its powers under subsection (2), notify the registered architect concerned of its intention to take such action and must give the registered architect an opportunity to submit reasons, within the period that the Board may determine, as to why his or her name should not be removed from the register.

[28/2005]

(4)  Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Board under subsection (2) may, within 30 days of being notified of the order, appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.

[28/2005]

(5)  Any registered architect may apply to the Board to have his or her name and particulars removed from the register of architects.

[28/2005]

(6)  Every application under subsection (5) must be made in the form that the Board may require and the Board may, if it thinks fit, require either or both of the following:

(a) that the application should be supported by a statutory declaration;

(b) that the applicant should advertise his or her intention to make the application in the manner that the Board directs.

[28/2005]

(7)  Subject to subsection (8), the Board may, upon receiving an application made under subsection (5), direct the Registrar to remove the name and particulars of the applicant from the register of architects.

[28/2005]

(8)  No order may be made on an application under subsection (5) if the Board is satisfied that —

(a) disciplinary action is pending against the applicant; or

(b) the conduct of the applicant is the subject of a complaint made against the applicant which is not dismissed, or an inquiry by an Investigation Committee.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

Reinstatement of registration

17C.—(1)  Any person whose name and particulars have been removed from the register of architects under section 31G(2)(a) must, if the person’s appeal to the General Division of the High Court under section 31H is allowed, be immediately reinstated without payment of any fee.

[28/2005; 40/2019]

(2)  The Board may, after the expiry of at least 3 years from the removal from the register of architects of the name and particulars of any person, consider any fresh application for registration by that person in accordance with the provisions of Part 4.

[28/2005]

PART 5

PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

Practising certificates

18.—(1)  Where a registered architect desires to engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore after 31 December of any year, he or she must, not later than 1 December of that year and in such form and manner as may be prescribed, apply for a practising certificate authorising him or her to engage in the practice of architecture in the succeeding year.

(2)  Despite subsection (1), where a registered architect applies for a practising certificate for the first time after registration under section 15, the application may be made at any time during the year and the registered architect may be issued a practising certificate for the remainder of the year in which the application is made.

(3)  Any application by a registered architect under this section must be accompanied by —

(a) a written declaration stating —

(i) his or her full name;

(ii) the name of the architectural practice under which he or she practises, or by which he or she is employed; and

(iii) the principal and any other address or addresses of the architectural practice under which he or she practises, or by which he or she is employed;

(b) such evidence as the Board may require that the applicant has complied with or is exempt from the rules relating to insurance against professional liability; and

(c) the prescribed fee,

and the Board must, subject to subsection (4), thereupon issue to the registered architect a practising certificate.

[20/2017]

(4)  The Board may refuse to issue a practising certificate if —

(a) the applicant is an undischarged bankrupt;

(b) the applicant has entered into a composition with his or her creditors or a deed of arrangement for the benefit of his or her creditors;

(c) the applicant does not intend to practise either on his or her own account or in partnership, or is not or not about to be employed by an architectural practice;

(d) the declaration under subsection (3) contains a statement that to its knowledge is false in a material particular;

(e) the conduct of the applicant provides reasonable grounds for believing that he or she will not engage in the practice of architecture in Singapore in accordance with any written law and with honesty and integrity;

(f) the Board is not satisfied that the applicant has complied with the prescribed requirements relating to continuing professional education;

(g) the Board does not approve the name of the architectural practice under which the registered architect intends to carry on his or her practice or by which he or she is employed;

(h) the applicant’s qualification for registration under section 15(1)(a), (b) or (c) has been withdrawn or cancelled by the authority through which it was acquired or by which it was awarded or granted;

(i) the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions imposed by the Minister under section 15(3); or

(j) the applicant refuses or fails to comply with —

(i) an order made (whether before, on or after 6 October 2017) by the Board under section 31B(1)(a) (pursuant to the recommendation of an Investigation Committee under section 31A(d)), or under section 31B(1)(c);

(ii) an order made (whether before, on or after 6 October 2017) by a Disciplinary Committee under section 31G(2)(c) or (3) to pay a penalty or sum, or under section 31G(2)(e); or

(iii) any prohibition, restriction or condition imposed by the Board under section 15(2B).

[18/2003; 28/2005; 20/2017]

(5)  Any registered architect (not being a registered architect who is applying for a practising certificate for the first time) who fails to apply for a practising certificate in the manner and within the period specified in subsection (1) may, on the making of an application in such form and on payment of such additional fee as may be prescribed, be issued a practising certificate for —

(a) the succeeding year if the application is made during the month of December of any year; or

(b) the remainder of the year if the application is made on or after 1 January of that year.

(6)  Subject to subsection (9), a practising certificate is, unless earlier cancelled, in force from the date of its issue until 31 December of the year in respect of which it is issued.

(7)  A practising certificate must specify the name, the principal address and all other addresses of the architectural practice under which the registered architect is practising or by which he or she is employed.

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(8)  Any change in any name or address mentioned in subsection (7) must be notified by the registered architect concerned to the Registrar within 2 weeks of the change and an endorsement of the change must be obtained from the Registrar.

[28/2005]

(9)  Where the registration of a registered architect is cancelled under section 17B(2) or 31G(2)(a), the practising certificate (if any) of that architect for the time being in force expires forthwith and the Registrar must enter the date of the expiry on the register of practitioners and remove from that register the name of that architect.

[28/2005]

(10)  Any person whose application for a practising certificate has been refused by the Board may, within 30 days after being notified of such refusal, appeal to the General Division of the High Court whose decision is final.

[40/2019]

Cancellation of practising certificates

19.—(1)  The Board may cancel the practising certificate of any registered architect on any ground specified in section 18(4) which applies to the registered architect, whether or not that ground existed at the time the practising certificate was issued.

(2)  The Board must not cancel any practising certificate under subsection (1) unless an opportunity of being heard either personally or in writing has been given to the person concerned.

(3)  Any person whose practising certificate has been cancelled by the Board under this section may, within 30 days after being notified of the cancellation, appeal to the General Division of the High Court whose decision is final.

[40/2019]

PART 6

MULTIDISCIPLINE AND CORPORATE PRACTICE

Licence for multidiscipline and corporate practice

20.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may grant to a limited corporation a licence to supply architectural services in Singapore if —

(a) the memorandum of association of the corporation provides that a primary object of the corporation is to supply architectural services;

(b) the paid-up capital of the corporation is not less than the amount prescribed by the Minister by notification in the Gazette;

(c) the articles of association of the corporation provide that —

(i) at least a prescribed number or prescribed proportion of the directors of the corporation must be registered architects or allied professionals, each of whom must have in force a practising certificate;

(ii) any person whose name and particulars have been removed from any of the following registers other than upon an application by that person, must not be a director unless his or her name and particulars have been reinstated:

(A) the register of architects;

(B) the register of registered professional engineers kept and maintained by the Professional Engineers Board under section 13 of the Professional Engineers Act 1991;

(C) the register of surveyors kept and maintained by the Land Surveyors Board under section 9 of the Land Surveyors Act 1991; and

(iii) any person who has been suspended from practice as a registered architect under this Act, or as a registered professional engineer under the Professional Engineers Act 1991, or as a registered surveyor under the Land Surveyors Act 1991, must not be a director for so long as he or she remains suspended;

(d) the business of the corporation, so far as it relates to the supply of architectural services, will be under the control and management of a director of the corporation who —

(i) is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate; and

(ii) is authorised under a resolution of the board of directors of the corporation to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of the corporation with respect to the requirements of this Act, the rules or any other law relating to the supply of architectural services by the corporation;

(e) the corporation is insured against professional liability in accordance with section 24 and the rules; and

(f) the name of the corporation has been approved by the Board.

[18/2003; 28/2005; 42/2005; 28/2005; 20/2017]

(2)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may grant a licence to any unlimited corporation to supply architectural services in Singapore if —

(a) the memorandum of association of the corporation provides that a primary object of the corporation is to supply architectural services;

(b) the articles of association of the corporation provide that —

(i) a person must not be a director of the corporation unless he or she is a registered architect or an allied professional;

(ii) at least a prescribed number or proportion of the directors of the corporation must be registered architects or allied professionals who each has in force a practising certificate;

(iii) a person must not be registered as a member of that corporation —

(A) unless he or she is a registered architect or an allied professional and a director, a manager or an employee of the corporation; or

(B) if he or she is a nominee of a person who is not a registered architect or an allied professional;

(iv) any person whose name and particulars have been removed from any of the following registers other than upon an application by that person, must not be a director unless his or her name and particulars have been reinstated:

(A) the register of architects;

(B) the register of registered professional engineers kept and maintained by the Professional Engineers Board under section 13 of the Professional Engineers Act 1991;

(C) the register of surveyors kept and maintained by the Land Surveyors Board under section 9 of the Land Surveyors Act 1991; and

(v) any person who has been suspended from practice as a registered architect under this Act, or as a registered professional engineer under the Professional Engineers Act 1991, or as a registered surveyor under the Land Surveyors Act 1991, must not be a director for so long as he or she remains suspended;

(c) the business of the corporation, so far as it relates to the supply of architectural services, will be under the control and management of a director of the corporation who —

(i) is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate;

(ii) is a member, or a registered owner of at least one share, of the corporation; and

(iii) is authorised under a resolution of the board of directors of the corporation to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of the corporation with respect to the requirements of this Act, the rules or any other law relating to the supply of architectural services by the corporation; and

(d) the name of the corporation has been approved by the Board.

[18/2003; 28/2005; 20/2017]

(3)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may grant to a partnership not consisting wholly of registered architects a licence to supply architectural services in Singapore if —

(a) the partnership is one in which only registered architects and allied professionals, who each has in force a practicing certificate, have a beneficial interest in the capital assets and profits of the partnership;

(b) the business of the partnership, so far as it relates to the supply of architectural services in Singapore, will be under the control and management of a partner who is a registered architect and has in force a practising certificate; and

(c) the name of the partnership has been approved by the Board.

[18/2003; 28/2005]

(4)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board may grant a licence to any limited liability partnership to supply architectural services in Singapore if —

(a) the statement lodged by the partners of the limited liability partnership with the Registrar of Limited Liability Partnerships under section 19(1) of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2005 provides that a primary nature of the business of the limited liability partnership is to supply architectural services;

(b) the partners in the limited liability partnership consist only of persons who satisfy the requirements that the Board, with the approval of the Minister, prescribes;

(c) at least one of the partners of the limited liability partnership is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate;

(d) the business of the limited liability partnership, so far as it relates to architectural services in Singapore, will be under the control and management of a partner who —

(i) is a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate; and

(ii) is authorised under a resolution of the partners of the limited liability partnership to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of the limited liability partnership with respect to the requirements of this Act, the rules or any other law relating to the supply of architectural services by the limited liability partnership;

(e) the name of the limited liability partnership has been approved by the Board; and

(f) the limited liability partnership is insured against professional liability in accordance with section 24 and the rules.

[28/2005]

(5)  Any application for a licence or for the approval of the name of a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership under this section must be made in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

[28/2005]

(6)  The Board may refuse to grant a licence under this section to any corporation (whether unlimited or not), partnership or limited liability partnership if, in the opinion of the Board, the past conduct of any director, manager or employee of the corporation or any partner, manager or employee of the partnership or limited liability partnership provides reasonable grounds for believing that the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership (as the case may be) will not supply architectural services in accordance with any written law and with honesty and integrity.

[28/2005]

(7)  Every licence granted under this section is, unless earlier revoked, valid for such period as may be specified in the licence.

(8)  Any person whose application for a licence or for the approval of the name of a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has been refused by the Board may, within 30 days after being notified of the refusal, appeal in the prescribed manner to the Minister whose decision is final.

[28/2005]

(9)  In subsections (1) and (2), “prescribed number or proportion of directors” means —

(a) where no number or proportion is specified under paragraph (b) — a majority of the directors; or

(b) where a number or proportion is specified by the Minister for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) by notification in the Gazette — that number or proportion of directors for the time being so specified.

[18/2003; 28/2005]

Conditions of licence to practise

21.—(1)  It is a condition of every licence granted to any corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership that the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership (as the case may be) must supply architectural services in Singapore by a registered architect —

(a) who has in force a practising certificate; and

(b) who is —

(i) in the case of a corporation — a director or an employee of the corporation;

(ii) in the case of a partnership — a partner or an employee of the partnership; or

(iii) in the case of a limited liability partnership — a partner or an employee of the limited liability partnership.

[28/2005]

(2)  It is a condition of every licence granted to any corporation, other than an unlimited corporation, or to any limited liability partnership that the corporation or limited liability partnership (as the case may be) must not supply architectural services in Singapore unless the corporation or limited liability partnership is insured in respect of professional liability in accordance with section 24 and the rules.

[28/2005]

(3)  It is a condition of every licence granted to any corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership that the name of the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership must not be changed without the prior approval of the Board.

[28/2005]

(4)  Without affecting subsections (1), (2) and (3), the Board may grant a licence subject to any other conditions that the Board thinks fit and may at any time vary any existing conditions (other than those specified in subsections (1), (2) and (3)) of a licence or impose additional conditions thereto.

[28/2005]

(5)  Where the Board grants a licence to a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership subject to conditions (other than those specified in subsections (1), (2) and (3)), the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership may, if aggrieved by the decision of the Board, appeal in the prescribed manner to the Minister whose decision is final.

[28/2005]

Change in composition of board of directors, members, etc.

22.—(1)  Any licensed corporation must, within 30 days of the occurrence of —

(a) any alteration of its memorandum or articles of association to remove the restrictions, limitations or prohibitions of the kind specified in section 20(1), (2) or (4), whichever is applicable to the licensed corporation;

(b) any change in the composition of its board of directors, members or shareholders; or

(c) any revocation of any resolution passed by the board of directors under section 20(1)(d)(ii) or (2)(c)(iii),

provide the Board a true written report giving full particulars of the alteration or change.

[18/2003]

(2)  Any licensed partnership must, within 30 days of the occurrence of any change in the composition of its members, provide the Board a true written report giving full particulars of the change.

(3)  Any licensed limited liability partnership must, within 30 days of the occurrence of any change in the composition of its partners, provide the Board a true written report giving full particulars of the change.

[28/2005]

Application of Companies Act 1967

23.—(1)  Sections 162, 163 and 197 of the Companies Act 1967 apply to a licensed corporation which is an exempt private company subject to the modification that any reference in those sections to an exempt private company does not include a reference to the licensed corporation.

[36/2014]

(2)  Every licensed corporation mentioned in subsection (1) must —

(a) comply with the prohibitions in sections 162 and 163 of the Companies Act 1967 as if it were not an exempt private company; and

(b) forward annually to the Registrar of Companies, together with the annual return required by section 197 of the Companies Act 1967, such copies of documents as are required to be included in the annual return and such certificates and particulars in accordance with the prescribed form mentioned in section 197(2) of that Act as if it were not an exempt private company.

[12/2002; 36/2014]

(3)  In this section, “exempt private company” has the meaning given by the Companies Act 1967.

Liability insurance

24.  Every licensed corporation which is not an unlimited corporation and every licensed limited liability partnership must be insured against liability for any breach of professional duty arising out of the conduct of its business of supplying architectural services as a direct result of any negligent act, error or omission committed by —

(a) in the case of a corporation — the corporation or its directors, managers, secretaries or employees; or

(b) in the case of a limited liability partnership — the partnership or its partners, managers or employees.

[28/2005]

Relationship between client and licensed corporation or limited liability partnership

25.  A licensed corporation or a licensed limited liability partnership has the same rights and is subject to the same obligations in respect of fiduciary, confidential and ethical relationships with each client of the corporation or limited liability partnership (as the case may be) that exist at law between a registered architect and his or her client.

[28/2005]

Professional responsibility of supervising architect

26.  A registered architect who has the control and management of the business of a licensed corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership relating to the supply of architectural services in Singapore is subject to the same standards of professional conduct and competence in respect of those services as if he or she were personally supplying the architectural services.

[28/2005]

Revocation of licence

26A.—(1)  Subject to subsection (3), the Board may by order revoke any licence it has granted to a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership if, in the opinion of the Board —

(a) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has failed to comply with any condition imposed by the Board under section 21;

(b) the memorandum or articles of association of the corporation have been so altered that they no longer include the restrictions, limitations or prohibitions of the kind specified in section 20(1) or (2), whichever applies;

(c) a person who is neither —

(i) a registered architect who has in force a practising certificate; nor

(ii) an allied professional who has in force a practicing certificate,

has a beneficial interest in the capital assets and profits of the partnership;

(d) the limited liability partnership no longer satisfies the requirements of section 20(4);

(e) the licence had been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation;

(f) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has stopped supplying architectural services in Singapore;

(g) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has contravened any provision of the prescribed code of professional conduct and ethics;

(h) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has contravened section 22, 23 or 24 or failed to comply with any condition imposed under section 21, or has been convicted of an offence under this Act;

(i) the conduct of any director, manager or employee of the corporation, or any partner or employee of the partnership or limited liability partnership, provides grounds for believing that the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership (as the case may be) will not supply architectural services in Singapore in accordance with any written law and with honesty and integrity; or

(j) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership has refused or failed to comply with an order of the Board made under subsection (2).

[28/2005; 20/2017]

(2)  The Board may, in any case in which it considers that no cause of sufficient gravity for revoking a licence exists —

(a) by order impose on the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned a penalty not exceeding $100,000 and every such penalty is recoverable as a debt due to the Board; or

(b) by writing censure the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership.

[20/2017]

(3)  The Board must not exercise its powers under subsection (1) or (2) unless an opportunity of being heard by a representative in writing or by counsel has been given to the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership against which the Board intends to exercise its powers.

[28/2005]

(4)  Where the Board has revoked a licence under this section, the Registrar must serve on the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned a notice of the order made by the Board.

[28/2005]

(5)  Any order by the Board revoking a licence or imposing a pecuniary penalty does not take effect until the expiry of 30 days after the Board has served the order on the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned.

[28/2005]

(6)  Where an order of revocation becomes effective —

(a) the Registrar must cause notice of the revocation to be published in the Gazette and remove from the register of licensees the name and other particulars of the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned; and

(b) the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned must, from the date of the notice, stop supplying architectural services in Singapore except as may be approved by the Board for the purpose of winding up its business.

[28/2005]

(7)  Subsection (6)(b) does not prejudice the enforcement by any person of any right or claim against the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership or by the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership of any right or claim against any person.

[28/2005]

Appeal against order of Board

26B.—(1)  If the Board has made —

(a) an order of revocation of a licence under section 26A against a corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership; or

(b) an order imposing any pecuniary penalty on a licensed corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership under section 26A(2),

the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned may, within 30 days after being served with the notice of the order, appeal to the General Division of the High Court against the order, and the decision of the General Division of the High Court is final.

[28/2005; 40/2019]

(2)  Where the corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership concerned has appealed to the General Division of the High Court against an order under section 26A, the order does not take effect unless the order is confirmed by the General Division of the High Court or the appeal is for any reason dismissed by the General Division of the High Court or withdrawn.

[28/2005; 40/2019]

(3)  Any corporation, partnership or limited liability partnership whose name has been removed from the register of licensees under section 26A(6)(a) must, if its appeal to the General Division of the High Court is allowed, be immediately reinstated without payment of any fee.

[28/2005; 40/2019]