No person other than a registered Architect or a registered firm of Architects can use the title and style of Architect. If any person misuses the title and style of Architect, such acts tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, which is punishable under section 36 or 37 (2) of the Architects Act, 1972. If a person contravenes this provision, he will be punishable on first conviction with fine of five hundred rupees, and on any subsequent conviction with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY THAT AN ARCHITECT BE REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?
Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of 'Architect' must have registered himself with Council of Architecture. It is very important that every qualified Architect be registered with the Council of Architecture because any reference in any law to an Architect, shall be deemed to be a reference to an Architect registered under the Act. The registration with Council of Architecture entitles a person to practice the profession of Architecture, provided he holds a Certificate of Registration with up-to-date renewals. The registration also entitles a person to use the title and style of Architect. The title and style of Architect can also be used by a firm of Architects, of which all partners are registered with COA. Limited Companies, Private/Public Companies, societies and other juridical persons are not entitled to use the title and style of Architect nor are they entitled to practice the profession of Architecture.
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR FALSELY CLAIMING TO BE REGISTERED?
If any person whose name is not entered in the Register but falsely represents that it is entered, or uses in connection with his name or title, any words to suggest that he is registered, such acts tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, which is punishable under section 36 or 37 (2) of the Architects Act, 1972. He will be punishable with a fine of one thousand rupees.
WHAT IS THE REGISTER OF ARCHITECTS?
The Central Government provides a Register of Architects in India. The Council of Architecture prepares and maintains the Register in accordance with the provisions of the Architect’s Act.
The Register includes the following particulars:
- The full name with the date of birth, nationality and residential address of the Architect.
- The Architect’s qualification for registration and the date on which he obtained that qualification and the authority which conferred it.
- The date of the Architect’s first admission to the Register.
- The Architect’s professional address.
- Further particulars prescribed by rules.
WHO IS QUALIFIED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?For the purpose of registration, one must possess the requisite qualifications, after having undergone education in accordance with the Council of Architecture, Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 1983. A person can have his name entered in the Register, on payment of the prescribed fee, if he resides or carries out the profession of Architecture in India and has the necessary qualifications.
WHY IS AN ARCHITECT NOT REGISTERED?
If an Architect is not registered, it could be because he does not hold a recognized qualification, or because he has not successfully completed the Architecture course, or because his name has been removed from the register for some professional misconduct or for some other reasons.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR GETTING REGISTERD WITH THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?
An application for registration is addressed to the Registrar of the Council along with a fee as prescribed. The documents to be submitted for Registration include:
- Application form in the prescribed format, duly filled in and signed by the applicant, along with two recent passport size photographs duly signed, with name mentioned at the back.
- A copy of the date of birth certificate attested by either a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public/Oath Commissioner.
- The recognised architectural qualification certificate on the basis of which registration is sought i.e. 5-year B.Arch. Degree or 5-year Diploma in Architecture or 5-year Government Diploma in Architecture or Membership of I.I.A. Certificate (as the case may be), IN ORIGINAL, for verification and return by Registered Post, along with a copy of the same duly attested by either a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public/Oath Commissioner.
- The copies of marksheets for all the semesters/years of the recognised architectural qualification duly attested by a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public/Oath Commissioner.
- A copy of the Marriage Certificate duly attested by either a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public/Oath Commissioner towards change of name consequent upon marriage. However, in case of change of name of Male applicants, only a copy of the Gazette Notification, duly attested by either a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public/Oath Commissioner, will be accepted.
- A duly attested copy mark sheet of 10+2 or equivalent examination with 50% marks in aggregate.
- A demand draft for Rs.500/- (Non-refundable) drawn in favour of "Council of Architecture", payable at Delhi/New Delhi towards registration fee. There is also an option of availing one-time payment at the time of registration by paying Rs.5,500/- vide demand draft (i.e. registration fee of Rs.500/- and one time payment of Rs.5,000/-) which is subject to submission of the final Degree/Diploma, in original, along with an attested copy of the same.
- A self-addressed envelope of size 12"X10" for sending the certificate of registration by Registered Post.
If the Registrar is of the opinion that the applicant is entitled to have his name entered in the register, he shall enter there the name of the applicant, provided that no person whose name has been removed from the Register, shall be entitled to have his name re-entered in the Register except with the approval of the Council.
Upon entry in the Register, the Registrar issues a Certificate of registration, in which the Council of Architecture’s Registration Number is mentioned.
This Registration Number has to be quoted by the Architect, when signing on an Agreement or on any documents related to the project for which the Architect has been signed.
Any person whose application for registration is rejected by the Registrar, can within three months of the date of rejection, appeal to the Council.
CAN AN ARCHITECT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION ENTERED IN THE REGISTER OF ARCHITECTS?
HOW & WHEN IS THE REGISTRATION WITH THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE RENEWED?
A renewal fee of Rs 500/- for the Current year, is paid annually to the Council before the first day of April, of the year to which it relates. A one time payment of Rs 5000/- is also accepted. On payment of the renewal fee, the Registrar endorses the Certificate of Registration accordingly. In case the renewal fee is not paid before the due date, the Registrar removes the name of the defaulter from the Register.
WHY IS AN ARCHITECT'S NAME REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?
The Council can remove from the Register the name of any Architect, where it is satisfied, after giving him reasonable opportunity of being heard and after such further inquiry has been made, for the following reasons:
- If a request has been received to that effect.
- If the Architect has died since the last publication of the Register.
- If the Architect’s name had been entered by error or on account of misrepresentation or suppression of material fact.
- If the Architect has been convicted of any offence which involves moral turpitude.
- If the Architect is an undischarged solvent.
- If the Architect has been adjudged by a competent court to be of unsound mind.
A person whose name has been removed from the Register or where such person is dead, his legal representative should surrender his Certificate of Registration to the Registrar, and the name so removed will be published in the Official Gazette.
If any person whose name has been removed from the Register fails to surrender his Certificate of Registration, he shall be punishable with fine of one hundred rupees, and, in case of continued failure, with an additional fine of ten rupees for each day thereafter.
HOW IS AN ARCHITECT'S NAME RESTORED TO THE REGISTER OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE?
The Council may, for reasons appearing to it to be sufficient and subject to the approval of the Central Government, order that the name of the person removed from the Register can be restored upon payment of a prescribed fee. Restoration Fee of Rs.1000/- shall be payable w.e.f. 1st April of the year.
HOW CAN AN ARCHITECT GET A DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION IN CASE THE ORIGINAL IS LOST OR DESTROYED?
If the Registrar is satisfied that a Certificate of Registration has been lost or destroyed, the Registrar will issue a duplicate Certificate, upon payment of a prescribed fee.
WHEN IS THE REGISTER PRINTED?
After the first day of April in each year, the Registrar gets copies of the Register to be printed and such copies are available to persons applying for a copy, on payment of the prescribed fee.
See also,
ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE
CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE
COA - STANDARDS OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION
COA-STANDARDS OF ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION M.ARCH
COA-ARCHITECTS PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT REGULATIONS
COA - COMPREHENSIVE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
COA - CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT
COA - ARCHITECT’S PROFESSIONAL CHARGES
COA - SCALE OF CHARGES
COA - SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT
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