ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION RULES AND GUIDELINES JUNE 2017

Transcription

1 ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION RULES AND GUIDELINES JUNE 2017 Plot Tholo Office Park Tsuma Unit 1B Fairgrounds, Gaborone Tel: I Fax: info@arc.org.bw 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 About the Council The Architects Registration Council (Council) is established by Act of Parliament-Cap.61:08, to provide for the registration of Architects, Architectural Technologists and Architectural Draftspersons, regulation of the conduct of registered persons, regulation of the practice of architecture, qualifications and training of architectural professionals and for matters incidental thereto. The main objective of the Council is to regulate the Architectural profession ensuring protection of both practitioners and the public. 1.2 Benefits of ARC membership By obtaining and maintaining the Certificate of Registration, an individual has demonstrated that he or she has met the established standards for certification Registration with the Council is expected to soon become an important factor for employers in hiring and promotion as a registered architectural professional would have demonstrated that he or she has met the established standards for certification. 1.3 Registration The enforcement of the Act commenced on the 01 st June 2016, and as a result, any person using the title Architect, Architectural Technologist or Architectural Draftsperson must be registered with the Council. A practicing certificate is required if performing the Work of an Architect for a fee or reward. Below are some of the minimum requirements for one to be considered for registration; Education Applicants for registration in any of the three categories of Architect, Architectural Technologist and Draughtsperson are required to have attained a specified minimum level of architectural education from a recognised institution as required by the Act and the Regulations. Page 1 of 10

2 Professional Work Experience Applicants for registration with the Council are required to demonstrate sufficient work experience under the supervision of a registered Architect in both Pre- and Post-Contract architectural works as required by the Act and the Regulations The Council requires a structured internship with direct supervision by a registered Architect for a stipulated period Professional Examination Additionally, the Council may require an applicant to sit for a professional examination as part of the registration process. 1.4 What is the ARCPE? The Council is required, in terms of the Architect s Registration Act, 2008 CAP 61:08, Section 23 (a) (iii), to administer an examination for eligible applicants as deemed necessary The examination is developed by the Council through its Registration Committee and is used by the Council as the registration examination for candidates for Architectural registration categories The examination assesses a candidate s knowledge, skills and abilities to provide various services required in the practice of architecture The content of the Architects Registration Council Professional Examination (ARCPE) is based on the knowledge and skills required of a recently graduated Architect, Architectural Technologist or Architectural Draftsperson with a minimum of two years professional work experience, to provide Architectural services. The ARCPE evaluates an applicant s competence in the provision of Architectural services to protect public health, safety, welfare and business interest in terms of the quality of the service The purpose of the examination is to evaluate a candidate s competence regarding pre-design, site design, building design, building systems, contract administration, construction documents and services as they relate to social, cultural, natural and physical forces, and to other related external constraints In addition, The ARCPE attempts to determine a candidate s skills not only in performing measurable tasks, but also in exercising such skills and judgment as a generalist working with numerous specialists. In short, the objective is to reflect the practice of architecture as an integrated whole To help candidates prepare for the examination, some reference material has been recommended under Section 3 of this Professional Examination Rules and Guidelines document. Page 2 of 10

3 1.4.8 Schedule The ARCPE will normally be administered twice per annum by the Registration Committee of the Council. Examination dates and venues will be publicized through the Government Gazette and selected local newspapers Steps for completing the ARCPE, including eligibility and requirements, are outlined in this Professional Examination Rules and Guidelines document Seminars The Council will from time to time organize Seminars or Workshops designed to prepare candidates for the ARCPE. Examination questions for all categories of registration may be based partly on material covered in the seminars. Examination question may be based on any of the documents listed under guidelines for examination content. Page 3 of 10

4 2 RULES FOR TAKING THE COUNCIL S PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION 2.3 Eligibility to sit the ARCPE To establish eligibility candidates must first submit an application for registration to the Council. After assessment of applications, the Council then notifies eligible candidates officially in writing. 2.4 Scheduling of the ARCPE The Council will schedule all examinations and inform the public through publications in the Government Gazette and selected local newspapers. Until further notice, all examinations will be hosted in Gaborone. 2.5 Examination Fee Currently, the examination fee for all categories has been set by the Council at P (eight hundred and fifty pula only) as a nonrefundable cash payment due seven (07) calendar days before the date of the examination. The examination fee will be reviewed from time to time as deemed necessary. 2.6 All candidates must produce legal forms of identification as follows; Botswana Citizens Valid Omang, Foreign Nationals Valid Passport. No candidates will be admitted to the examination without proper identification and confirmation from the Council of accepted intent to write. 2.7 Candidates need to confirm their intent to sit for the examination seven (7) calendar days prior to the examination date. 2.8 Candidates shall be expected to produce proof of ARCPE recommendation letter from the Registrar and proof of Examination Fee payment (refer to item 2.3). 2.9 Candidates who fail to show up for a scheduled examination will forfeit their entire examination fee Candidates who fail to attend due to illness must provide proof a medical report from a registered medical officer Candidates for the draftsperson examination are expected to bring their own scale ruler, pen and pencil Candidates must arrive at the examination centre 30 minutes before the scheduled examination time Communication devices such as cell phones, lap tops, ipads (electronic tablets), etc. are not permitted in the examination room. (Candidates with cell phones will be asked to turn them off and hand them over to the invigilation team for safe keeping during the examination) 2.14 A candidate who engages in misconduct and/or does not heed the Council representative s warning to discontinue inappropriate behaviour may be dismissed from the test centre and/or have examination results cancelled, and/or have examination eligibilities suspended The examination is open book and as a result, all printed reference material including those listed under Section 3 are allowed in the examination room. Past examination papers and sample questions from regulatory bodies locally or internationally are however NOT allowed in the examination room 2.16 Sharing of reference material or equipment between candidates during the examination is strictly prohibited. Page 4 of 10

5 2.17 Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA) Requirements The Council will liaise with the BQA for compliance with all requisite legislation Taking the ARCPE Council representatives at the examination centre will guide candidates through examination procedures Pass Mark - Candidates must obtain the following minimum pass marks to be considered eligible for registration; Architect 65% Architectural Technologist 60% Architectural Draughtsperson 60% 2.20 Receiving Your Score Candidates will receive their scores for the ARCPE through official correspondence from the Council. The score will be reported as Pass or Fail. Limited descriptive feedback will be given to failed candidates only. Candidates may contact the Council Registrar s office if they have further enquiries regarding the exam scores Retaking the Examination Candidates who fail the examination may arrange with the Council to retake the examination in future and will pay the applicable examination fee. Eligibility to retake the examination and when a candidate may retake it will be determined by the Council. Page 5 of 10

6 3 ARCPE GUIDELINES ON EXAMINATION CONTENT (3.1 - Architect Candidate Guidelines) (3.2 - Architectural Technologist Candidate Guidelines) (3.3 - Architectural Draftsperson Candidate Guidelines) 3.3 Architect Candidate Guidelines Candidates for the Architects Professional Examination will be tested to determine their depth of knowledge / understanding of most of the below listed architectural aspects: (It should be noted that pending Council s formulation of its own Client / Architect Agreement and related documentation, the Examination will be partly based on acceptable global standards which are in use in Botswana today Relevant Legislative framework A knowledge of the Technical and Administrative content of the Architects Registration Act and its Regulations (1) CAP 61:08 - The Architects Registration Act, 2008 and Amendments thereof (2) The Architects Registration Regulations of Architect s Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) (1) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the Architectural Profession Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework Knowledge and application of current Building Regulations and other legislative documents (1) Cap Building Control Act (2) Cap Building Control Regulations (3) Town And Country Planning Act, 2013 (4) The Development Control Code of 2013 (5) Factories Act and Standards Act Standard Forms of Building Contracts An in-depth knowledge of general contract administration (1) The Standard Form of Building Contract - BIDP (2) FIDIC Conditions of Contract for Construction (1st Edition -1999) (3) The Joint Building Contract Committee (JBCC) Principal Building Agreement (PBA) Page 6 of 10

7 3.3.5 Architectural Practice Management A knowledge of Principles of Management of an Architectural Practice (1) Setting up a Practice (Forms of Practice) (2) Working with Staff (Employment Legislation etc.) (3) Insurance and Risk (Office Insurances, Risk Avoidance, Professional Indemnity insurance) (4) Architect-client relationship (client identity; client perceptions; client guidance; professional guidance; the appointment; copyright; other consultants) (5) Claiming Fees. (6) The Framework for the delivery of Architectural Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees (7) Client Architect Agreement / Professional Consultancy Services Agreement (PROCSA) (8) ARC Work stages and deliverables, Tariff of Professional Fees Draft Framework for the delivery of Architectural Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees issued by the Council Site Inspection and Contract Administration (1) Payment Certificate Valuations, work done, material on/ off site, advance mobilization fee, W.H.T., VAT, retention (2) Dispute Resolution FIDIC (3) Standards of materials/ construction and workmanship (4) Site Inspections, Instructions, Condemnation and Approvals of workmanship (5) Completion Certification and Defects Liability (6) End-of-Activity reporting (7) Construction Programming 3.4 Architectural Technologist Candidate Guidelines Candidates for the Architectural Technologists Professional Examination will be tested to determine their depth of knowledge / understanding on the integration of technologies, technical documentation and in area as below listed: (It should be noted that pending Council s formulation of its own Client / Architect Agreement etc the Exam will be partly based on acceptable global standards (e.g. BIDP, JBCC) which are in use in Botswana today. Candidates will also be tested on their design and planning aptitude. Page 7 of 10

8 3.4.1 Relevant Legislative framework (1) The Architects Registration Act 23 of 2008 and amendments thereof (2) The Architects Registration Regulations of Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework; (1) Cap Building Control Act. (2) Cap Building Control Regulations. (3) Town and Country Planning Act 2013 (4) The Development Control Code of (5) Factories Act and Standards Act Architect s Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) (1) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the Architectural Profession Standard Forms of Building Contracts (1) The Standard Form of Building Contract - BIDP (2) The Joint Building Contract Committee (JBCC) Minor Works Agreement Architectural Practice Management A knowledge of Principles of Management of an Architectural Practice (1) Setting up a Practice (Forms of Practice) (2) Working with Staff (Employment Legislation etc) (3) Insurance and Risk (Office Insurances, Risk Avoidance, Professional Indemnity insurance) (4) Architectural Technologist-client relationship (client identity; client perceptions; client guidance; professional guidance; the appointment; copyright; other consultants (5) Claiming Fees (6) The Framework for the delivery of Architectural Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees (7) Elements of a Client/Architectural Professional Agreement. (8) ARC Work stages and deliverables, Tariff of Professional Fees (9) Tariff of Professional Fees Page 8 of 10

9 Draft Framework for the delivery of Architectural Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees issued by the Council Site Inspection and Contract Administration (1) Role of an architectural technologist. (2) Building technologies, standards of materials and site workmanship. (3) Standards of materials/ construction and workmanship (4) Site Inspections, Instructions, Condemnation and Approvals of workmanship Practical (1) Hand-drafting a given design exercise to Council submission level (site plan, sections and elevations) Maximum A3 size (2) Hand-drafting a given detail drawing Maximum A3 size Equipment / tools (1) The candidate should bring a scale ruler, pen and pencil. 3.5 Architectural Draftsperson Candidate Guidelines Architectural Draftspersons will generally be tested on their practical/demonstrable competency in drafting and detailing a given design by an Architect to a level ready for council submission. They will also be expected to have considerable applied knowledge of the building regulations and codes Relevant Legislative framework (Theory) (1) CAP. 61:08 The Architects Registration Act, 2008 and Amendments thereto. Sections dealing, amongst others, with categories of registration and the required qualifications - Part III). (2) The Architects Registration Regulations of Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework (Theory) (1) Cap Building Control Regulations (2) The Development Control Code of (3) Factories Act and Standards Act Practical (3) Hand-drafting a given design exercise to Council submission level (site plan, sections and elevations) Maximum A3 size (4) Hand-drafting a given detail drawing Maximum A3 size Equipment / tools (2) The candidate should bring a scale ruler, pen and pencil Page 9 of 10

10 3.6 Reference Material i) Architects Registration Act & Amendment Act ii) ARC Regulations, iii) Building Regulations iv) Standard Contract Documents (BIDP, JBCC, FIDIC) v) Development Control Code, 2013 vi) Tariff of Fees issued by Council. Page 10 of 10