ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL ARCPE (ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION) ARCPE RULES AND GUIDELINES [Architect s Registration Act, 2008 CAP 61:08, Section 23 (a) (iii)] PRIVATE BAG 00226, GABORONE, BOTSWANA PLOT 50663, UNIT 1B, THOLO OFFICE PARK, FAIRGROUNDS TEL: (+267) 395 1830 FAX: (+267) 391 3730 WEBSITE: www.arc.org.bw EMAIL: info@arc.org.bw NOVEMBER 2018 - ARCPE 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. About the ARC 1.1.1. The Architects Registration Council (Council) is established by Act of Parliament- Cap.61:08, to provide for the registration of Architects, Technologists and 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 profession ensuring protection of both practitioners and the general public. 1.2. Benefits of ARC membership 1.2.1. By obtaining and maintaining the Certificate of Registration, an individual has demonstrated that he or she has met the established standards for certification. 1.2.2. Registration with the Council has 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 1.3.1. The enforcement of the Act commenced on the 01 st June 2016, and as a result, any person using the title Architect, Technologist or 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; 1.3.1.1. Education 1.3.1.1.1. Applicants for registration in any of the three categories of Architect, 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. 1.3.1.2. Professional Work Experience 1.3.1.2.1. 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. 1.3.1.2.2. The Council requires a structured internship with direct supervision by a registered Architect for a stipulated period. 1.3.1.3. Professional Examination 1.3.1.3.1. Additionally, the Council may require an applicant to sit for a professional examination as part of the registration process. Page 1 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
1.4. What is the ARCPE? 1.4.1. 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. 1.4.2. The examination is developed by the Council through its Registration Committee and is used by the Council as the registration examination for candidates for registration categories. 1.4.3. The examination assesses a candidate s knowledge, skills and abilities to provide various services required in the practice of architecture. 1.4.4. The content of the Architects Registration Council Professional Examination ) is based on the knowledge and skills required of a recently graduated Architect, Technologist or Draftsperson with a minimum of two years professional work experience, to provide services. The ARCPE evaluates an applicant s competence in the provision of services to protect public health, safety, & welfare and business interest in terms of the quality of the service. 1.4.5. The purpose of the examination is to evaluate a candidate s competence in regard to 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. 1.4.6. In addition, The ARCPE also, determines 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. 1.4.7. To help candidates prepare for the examination, some reference material has been recommended under Section 3 of this Professional Examination Rules and Guidelines document. 1.4.8. Schedule 1.4.8.1. The ARCPE will normally be administered twice (2) per annum by the Registration Committee of the Council. Examination dates and venues will be publicised through the ARC website, the notice board at the ARC secretariat, the Government Gazette and selected local newspapers. 1.4.8.1.1. ARCPE for June 2018 Held on 04 th June 2018 1.4.8.1.2. ARCPE for November 26 th November 2018 1.4.8.2. Steps for completing the ARCPE, including eligibility and requirements, are outlined in this Professional Examination Rules and Guidelines document. 1.4.9. Seminars/Workshops 1.4.9.1. The Council will from time to time organise 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 2 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
1.4.9.2. The seminar/workshop schedule for the ARCPE candidates will be published on the ARC website, the notice board at the ARC secretariat, the Government Gazette and selected local newspapers as well as the ARC Facebook page. 1.4.9.3. The Council has set a non-refundable cash payment of (one hundred and two pula only) for attendance of each workshop, the fee of which is due (5) five working days before the date of the seminar. 2. RULES FOR TAKING THE ARC PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION 2.1. Eligibility to sit the ARCPE To establish eligibility candidates must first submit an application for registration to the ARC. After assessment of applications, the ARC then notifies eligible candidates officially in writing. 2.2. Examination Fee Currently, the examination fee for all categories has been set by the Council at P1, 050.00 (one thousand and fifty pula only) as a non-refundable cash payment due not later than seven (07) calendar days before the date of the examination. The examination fee will be reviewed from time to time as deemed necessary. 2.3. 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. 2.4. Candidates need to confirm their intent to sit for the examination at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the examination date. 2.5. 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). 2.6. Candidates who fail to show up for a scheduled examination will forfeit their entire examination fee. 2.7. Candidates who fail to attend due to illness must provide proof a medical report from a registered medical officer. Failure to notify the Registrar in writing within 3 working days from the date of the Exam shall result in item 2.7 above being applied. 2.8. Candidates for the Technology and Draftsperson examination are expected to bring their own scale ruler, pen and pencil. 2.9. Candidates must arrive at the examination centre 30 minutes before the scheduled examination time. 2.10. Communication devices such as cell phones, lap tops, ipads (electronic tablets), etc. are not permitted in the examination room. 2.11. A candidate who engages in misconduct and/or does not heed the ARC 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. Page 3 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
2.12. The examination is open book and as a result, all printed reference material including those listed under Section 3 is 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. 2.13. Sharing of reference material or equipment between candidates during the examination will NOT be permitted. 2.14. Taking the ARCPE Council representatives at the examination centre will guide candidates through examination procedures. 2.15. Pass Mark - Candidates must obtain the following minimum pass marks to be considered eligible for registration; 2.15.1. Architect 65% 2.15.2. Technologist 60% 2.15.3. Draughtsperson 60% 2.16. Receiving Your Score Candidates receive their result for the ARCPE through official correspondence from the Council. The results are reported as Pass or Fail (only). Limited descriptive feedback is given to failed candidates only upon request. Candidates may contact the Council Registrar s office if they have further enquiries regarding the exam results. 2.17. Remarking of the ARCPE; 2.17.1. Only candidates who have failed and are within a 5% margin of the stipulated pass rate may qualify for a remark. 2.17.2. The Remarking fee for all categories has been set by the Council at P2700.00 (two thousand, seven hundred pula only) as a non-refundable cash payment. 2.17.3. Requests for remarking shall only be accepted if made within ten (10) working days from the date the ARCPE feedback/results have been released or issued. 3. ARCPE GUIDELINES ON EXAMINATION CONTENT (3.1 - Architect Candidate Guidelines) (3.2 - Technologist Candidate Guidelines) (3.3 - Draftsperson Candidate Guidelines) 3.1. 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. 3.1.1. Relevant Legislative framework 3.1.1.1. 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 2015 Page 4 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
3.1.2. Architects Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) (1) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the Profession 3.1.3. Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework 3.1.3.1. Knowledge and application of current Building Regulations and other legislative documents (1) Cap 65.02 - Building Control Act (2) Cap 65.02 Building Control Regulations (3) Town And Country Planning Act, 2013 (4) The Development Control Code of 2013 3.1.4. Standard Forms of Building Contracts 3.1.4.1. 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) 3.1.5. Practice Management 3.1.5.1. A knowledge of Principles of Management of an 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 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 The Framework for the delivery of Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees issued by the Council 3.1.6. 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 3.2. Technologist Candidate Guidelines Page 5 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
Candidates for the 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. 3.2.1. Relevant Legislative framework (1) The Architects Registration Act 23 of 2008 and amendments thereof (2) The Architects Registration Regulations of 2015 3.2.2. Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework; (1) Cap 65.02 Building Control Act (2) Cap 65.02 Building Control Regulations (3) Town And Country Planning Act 2013 (4) The Development Control Code of 2013 3.2.3. Architects Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) (1) Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the Profession 3.2.4. Standard Forms of Building Contracts (1) The Standard Form of Building Contract - BIDP (2) The Joint Building Contract Committee (JBCC) Minor Works Agreement 3.2.5. Practice Management 3.2.5.1. A knowledge of Principles of Management of an 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) 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 Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees (7) Elements of a Client/ Professional Agreement. (8) ARC Work stages and deliverables, Tariff of Professional Fees (9) Tariff of Professional Fees The Framework for the delivery of Services and Use of the Tariff of Fees issued by the Council 3.2.6. Site Inspection and Contract Administration (1) Role of an architectural technologist. Page 6 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
(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 3.2.7. 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 3.2.8. Equipment / tools (1) The candidate should bring a scale ruler, pen and pencil 3.3. Draftsperson Candidate Guidelines 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. 3.3.1. 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 2015. 3.3.2. Associated Legislative / Regulatory Framework (Theory) (1) Cap 65.02 Building Control Regulations (2) The Development Control Code of 2013. 3.3.3. 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 3.3.4. Equipment / tools (2) The candidate should bring a scale ruler, pen and pencil 3.4. Reference Material i) Architects Registration Act & Amendment Act ii) ARC Regulations, 2015. iii) Building Regulations iv) Standard Contract Documents (BIDP, JBCC, FIDIC) v) Development Control Code, 2013 vi) Tariff of Fees issued by Council. Page 7 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -
4. ARCPE PROPOSED SEMINARS THIS DOCUMENT IS MERELY A GUIDE and should be used as such. The Location will be announced closer to the Event; No Topic Attributes CPD Code 1. The Architects Registration Act and Professional code of Conduct and Ethics (Architects, Technologists & Draftspersons) 2. Planning and the Built Environment Legislation (Architects, Technologists & Draftspersons) 3. Building Contracts in the Built Environment (Architects, Technologists & Draftspersons) 4. Practice and Framework of Fees (Architects, Technologists & Draftspersons) 5. Standards, Specifications and Drawing (Architects, Technologists & Draftspersons) Duration Location, Date & Attendance Required. Understand to background and the need for regulations A1 5 hrs. Gaborone (20 th October, 2018) Understand the Act and implications of the Act to the profession in Botswana Understand the professional code of conduct and ethics and be able to put into practice. Understand the key provisions of the council. Understand the conditions to the regulation of the practice of the discipline Understanding to legislation around A1 5 hrs. Gaborone and within the planning and builtenvironment. (27 th October, 2018) Learning the application of different planning and built-environment legislation. Be able to competently answer to all requirements in the built-environment legislation. Understand the origins of modern town planning. Understand some of the qualities and principles which inform the making of positive urban places Be able to distinguish between good and bad planning. And finally better appreciate the practice of town planning and hopefully contribute to a more integrative approach to the building of our cities. Understand the different between all A2 8 hrs. Gaborone building contracts in use in Botswana. (03 rd November, Learning the application of different 2018) building contracts in use in Botswana. Be able to competently advise and choose an appropriate building contract for client and project. Learn about the application of the A2 5 hrs. Gaborone Framework of the tariff of fees (10 th November, Learn about the use of the agreement 2018) for provision of professional services. Understand the basis and use of the tariff Understand the Rules & Conditions regarding payments Understand the obligations of the parties to the Agreement The Services and the context of rendering professional services A2 5 hrs. Gaborone (17 th November, 2018) Cost per person 5. Please note that all material is available on the ARC website (www.arc.org.bw) Page 8 of 8 - ARC ARCPE RULES & GUIDELINES -