The following are a set of pathways to registration. Potential applicants should review these procedures and determine the appropriate pathway for them, given their particular circumstances.
It is also important to read the Notices page.
To become registered, an applicant must complete either pathways 1, 2, 3 or 7 or 8. The majority of applications are through pathway 1.
Pathways 4, 5 and 6 are for persons who wish to proceed to pathway 1, but need to be assessed beforehand to determine whether or not they have the required equivalence to proceed. This is done by a so-called Equivalency Assessment of either the applicant's academic qualifications or experience.
Please note that the NZRAB's capacity to process pathway 1 and 2 applications is limited. When this capacity is reached, applications are held over until the next intake, typically six months later. Also, the NZRAB reserves the right to alter these procedures and documentation without notice.
Page updated 18 December 2009
Pathway One - Recognised New Zealand / Australian Qualification (plus practical experience).
Fee $2,036.25 incl GST
This pathway is for applicants who hold a recognised New Zealand or Australian qualification in architecture recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). Those who have a recognised qualification must also meet the practical experience requirements prior to applying for registration.
Information on experience areas is to be found in the document you can download. Relevant documents are to be found in the grey side bar panel to the left.
Click here
Pathway Two - Recognised Overseas Registration (other than Australia)
plus New Zealand Practical Experience.
Fee $2,036.25 incl GST
Some registrations granted from jurisdictions other than New Zealand or Australia are recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). Countries currently recognised are: Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Information on experience areas is to be found in the document you can download.
Relevant documents are to be found in the grey side bar panel to the left.
Click here
Pathway Three - Recognised Australian Registration (Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition).
Fee $275.62/$551.25 incl GST
Architects registered by any Australian State or Territory Registration Board may upon application be registered in New Zealand without assessment, in accordance with the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. Applications are welcome throughout the year.
Click here
Pathway Four - Other Qualifications.
Fee $506.25 incl GST
Applicants with qualifications that are not recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) may seek an Equivalency Assessment (undertaken by the Board's Qualifications Committee) to ascertain if their qualification is equivalent to that of an applicant with a recognised qualification.
Click here
Pathway Five - No Recognised Qualifications.
Fee $1,687.50 incl GST
Applicants who do not hold a recognised tertiary qualification in architecture may seek an Equivalency Assessment to ascertain if their skills and knowledge are equivalent to those gained by an applicant who has a recognised qualification in architecture.
Mr Murray Ackroyd of Timaru and Mr Ian Seddon of Hawkes Bay, are recently successful Pathway 5 applicants and now Registered Architects under Pathway 1. They are prepared to provide advice to others working to achieve equivalence under Pathway 5. The email contacts are murrayackroyd@xtra.co.nz and Ian.seddon@pmarchitects.co.nz
Click here
Pathway Six - Recognised Qualification
– no work experience with a Registered Architect.
Fee $1,687.50 incl GST
Applicants with qualifications that are recognised by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) who have not undertaken a minimum period of work experience (45 weeks) under the direction of a Registered Architect in New Zealand or Australia, may seek an Equivalency Assessment to ascertain if their experience is equivalent to that of an applicant who has worked under the direction of a Registered Architect.
Click here
Pathway Seven -
Previously Registered
Fee $618.75 incl GST
Persons who were New Zealand Registered Architects once before and wish to practice again should apply under Pathway 7.
As a general rule, the longer an applicant has not been practising in New Zealand the more likely it is that an interactive assessment will be required. Applications are welcome throughout the year.
Click here
Pathway Eight -
APEC Architect
APEC Architects from other economies who wish to be registered in New Zealand should apply for registration via pathway 8. Applications can only be accepted from APEC architects whose home economies have a bilateral or multilateral arrangment with New Zealand under the APEC Architect Framework. Currently New Zealand has such an arrangement with Japan only.
Click here