(To locate an architect click on RIBA Members Directory.)

In the USA, the title "Architect" may be used to describe an RIBA member who is licensed in his or her US state of current activity or, (in some states) if in partnership or association with US licensed architects, the firm that comprises such partnership or association. The State Licensing Board must be contacted in each case for clarification of the applicable codes and laws. The guidelines contained in this description are offered as no more than a prelude to the making of such inquiries. The RIBA website and the AIA website should be consulted for details of how to get in touch with individuals and firms.

As a general principal, no one may call himself or herself an architect, nor engage in the practice thereof (with some exceptions) unless they are licensed in the state in which they intend to do so. This principle holds as true for the USA as for the UK, because although only title is protected in the UK, once a person is on the UK Register of Architects, they become subject to all the codes and restrictions of practicing as such (Architects Registration Acts 1996-7).

Corporate Membership of the RIBA does not confer the right to use the title architect, unless that corporate member is registered (licensed). The letters "RIBA" typically indicate that the holder has satisfactory completed all the examinations and experience requirements for UK registration. Prior to 1990, it was also indicative of eligibility for a US State license, subject to passing the Lateral Forces (sometimes referred to as the seismic) paper of the ARE and a professional interview. However, unless a person actually possesses a currently valid license, he or she may not use the title "architect". Members of the Royal Institute of British Architects and their prospective employers should therefore avoid assuming the title "architect" in the absence of a current license. Although, on their own, the letters "RIBA" are not a generally recognized description for an architect in the United States, the letters "AIA" certainly are, and there have been instances where US State Boards have prosecuted individuals for using the letters AIA while unlicensed. Clarification of an individual's exact obligations should always be obtained from the relevant State Board and/ or an appropriately qualified legal authority. Similarly in the UK, no unlicensed person may use the title "architect", and a recent court ruling has determined that the letters RIBA are understood in the UK to imply status as an architect.

The UK ruling has aroused strong feelings, but sadly it is due to RIBA's success in becoming recognized as a profession of "architects". To clarify the position in the UK, the Director General of the RIBA, Dr Alexander Reid, has issued the following memorandum:

Judgement was handed down in the High Court on 6th March 1998 in the case between the Architects Registration Board and Ronald Baden Hellard. The Court ruled that Ronald Baden Hellard had committed an offence by practising or carrying on business in the UK using a name, style or title containing the word architect, without being on the ARB register. Ronald Baden Hellard had used the affix FRIBA, and the court ruled that FRIBA contains the word architect. The Court did not attempt to rule on the possible use by others, not on the ARB register, of expressions such as Hon.FRIBA, retired architect, or unregistered architect.

In the light of the High Court judgement in the Baden Hellard case, the RIBA advises all its corporate members who are not on the ARB register, and who are practising or carrying on any kind of business in the UK, either promptly to join the ARB register or to refrain from the use of the word architect and the affixes RIBA, ARIBA, FRIBA, as part of the name, style, or title under which they are practicing or carrying on that business. The RIBA likewise advises its Honorary Fellows who are practicing or carrying on any kind of business in the UK to refrain from the use of the affix Hon.FRIBA as part of the name, style, or title under which they are practicing or carrying on that business.

In the above advice, the phrase practicing or carrying on any kind of business refers to any kind of practice or business, regardless of whether it is architecture, related to architecture, or unrelated to architecture.

Notes by the RIBA Director General:
Prior to the High Court ruling in the Baden Hellard case, some had argued that the RIBA should change its name to Royal Institute of British Architecture in order that the affix RIBA could be used regardless of ARB policy. The argument was that because the new name would not contain the word architect, ARB would not be able to control the use of the affix.

However, having sat through the High Court hearing, it seems to me that such change of name would not in fact extricate the affix from ARB requirements. This is because the judge placed considerable stress on the question of whether the public would be misled - he did not confine himself to verbal technicalities. Also the word architecture could be taken to include the word architect. Accordingly, it seems to me that such change of name for the RIBA (whatever its other advantages or disadvantages) would be unlikely to remove the affix from ARB requirements.

We are continuing to press ARB to clarify their policy position on the use of the RIBA affix. Until they have done so, it would be wise for RIBA corporate members to follow the advice issued by the RIBA immediately after the Baden Hellard High Court judgement.

The RIBA will be giving careful consideration to the wider implications of this judgement, and expects to issue further advice in due course.

Tim Clark