Mobility of architectural professionals

Tuesday, 19 August 2025 | announcements

Issue Date: 19 August 202

Practice Notice

Mobility of architectural professionals

Section 13 (e) and (h) of the Architectural Profession Act empowers the Council to establish mechanisms that enable registered persons to obtain recognition of their qualifications and professional status in other countries. Furthermore, Council is empowered to enter into agreements with any person or body, within or outside the Republic, regarding the recognition of any examination or qualification for the purposes of this Act.

Pursuant to this empowering provision, SACAP has concluded a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the United States of America. The primary objective of this MRA is to enhance the mobility of architectural professionals between South Africa and the United States by streamlining registration processes and facilitating professional skills mobility.

SACAP is also engaged in discussions with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) of the United Kingdom. It is anticipated that the ongoing comparative analysis of accreditation processes, registration standards, and the training and development of candidates in both countries will culminate in a formal MRA.

At the regional level, the SADC Protocol on Trade in Services requires member states to negotiate MRAs covering qualifications, licenses, and related regulatory matters. Discussions in this regard are ongoing. Notably, several states, including the Architects Registration Council of Botswana and the Zambia Institute of Architects, have already expressed interest in commencing negotiations on MRAs.

As negotiations progress, we will keep the profession informed of developments, enabling professionals to benefit from the opportunities arising from MRAs.

END.

About SACAP

The South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) is legally charged to regulate the architectural profession in South Africa by the Architectural Profession Act 2000, Act 44 of 2000. The architectural profession includes professional architects, senior architectural technologists, architectural technologists, draughtspersons, specified categories, and candidates in each of the categories of registration, all of whom are required to be registered with SACAP before they can practice architecture. www.sacapsa.com.

 

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Brenda Phake: Stakeholder Relations, Communications and Marketing Manager

Email: brenda.phake@sacapsa.com

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