The

Architects
Code

Standards of professional conduct and practice 2025

 The Architects Code is a positive statement of what
professionalism and ethics mean for an architect.
The Standards explain to members of the public
the behaviours they can expect from architects.
By meeting them, architects will uphold trust and
confidence in the profession.

Applying the Standards professional conduct for architects must also

meet those standards.
The Code consists of six Standards. Each of
these is of equal importance, and architects are The rule of law
accountable for always meeting them. ARB has
also published guidance which provides further The Code does not seek to repeat legal
supporting detail on how the Standards can be obligations, or requirements set out in regulations
met. or guidelines elsewhere. All architects must
comply with the law and regulations of any
There will be times when an architect must jurisdiction in which they practise.
make difficult and proportionate decisions, and
deal with conflicting or competing priorities.
Architects should use the Standards, which are Disciplinary proceedings
supported by examples of how architects can
meet them. Compliance with these examples The Professional Conduct Committee will
is not mandatory, but any architect departing take the Code into account in any disciplinary
from them may be called upon to justify how proceedings brought before it. However, not
they would be able to meet the Standards in every failure to meet the Standards will give rise
those circumstances. to disciplinary proceedings.

Jurisdiction The fact that a course of conduct is not

specifically referred to in the Code does not
Architects registered in the UK practise all mean that it cannot form the basis of disciplinary
over the world in a wide range of roles and proceedings. Each case is judged on its facts,
organisations. The Standards apply to all UK and there may be circumstances in which
registered architects, wherever they work and unacceptable professional conduct or serious
in whichever field they specialise. professional incompetence is found even where
there has been no clear breach of the precise
The Code also covers situations outside work terms of the Code.
and online, where architects’ conduct may affect
their fitness to practise or public confidence in
the profession.

A registered architect working in a country

which has its own accepted standards of

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 The six Standards

Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3

Honesty and Public Competence

integrity interest

Standard 4 Standard 5 Standard 6

Professional Communication Respect

practice and
collaboration

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Standard 1 - Honesty and integrity

Architects must be honest and act with

integrity

Honesty is central to professional ethics. It is the

foundation that underpins professional standards;
architects must always be truthful. Public confidence
in the profession will be maintained only when
architects act with integrity in all their actions and
decisions.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 1 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

1.1 Use impartial judgment based on the evidence available

1.2 Promote their services responsibly and accurately

1.3 Declare and manage any conflicts of interest appropriately

1.4 Are transparent about any inducements offered or received

1.5 Report to ARB any instance where they or another architect may have fallen
significantly short of the Standards within this Code

1.6 Co-operate with any formal inquiries or ARB investigations

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Standard 2 - Public interest

Architects must act in the public

interest and in a way that supports the
environment and prevents harm to
others

Architects’ role in society means their responsibilities

are wider than to themselves and their clients,
and they must prioritise the public interest by
demonstrating respect for life, the law and the
environment.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 2 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

2.1 Use their best endeavours to enhance the environment

2.2 Protect the health and safety of those who construct, maintain and use
buildings and places

2.3 Challenge others where their actions may put people or the environment at
risk, and report the matter to an appropriate authority when those risks are not
adequately managed

2.4 Decline any work which requires them to act contrary to these Standards

2.5 Do not knowingly break the law or assist others in unlawful actions

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Standard 3 - Competence

Architects must be competent to carry

out the work they do

Architects must maintain and develop their

competence to deal with an ever-changing
built environment by committing to continuous
professional development throughout their careers.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 3 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

3.1 Acknowledge and work within the limits of their competence

3.2 Ensure they are up to date with current standards and good practice

3.3 Adopt a reflective approach to their work by learning from feedback and
addressing individual learning needs

3.4 Assure themselves of the competence of anyone they engage to carry out work
on their behalf

3.5 Provide appropriate supervision and sufficient resources to people they engage
to carry out work on their behalf

3.6 Encourage the professional development of those for whom they are
responsible

3.7 Maintain their knowledge and understanding of guidance issued by ARB in

support of these Standards

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Standard 4 - Professional practice

Architects must carry out their work

effectively, exercising skill and diligence

Architects must carry out their work with

competence, care and diligence, ensuring their
work is managed effectively and to a high standard.
Professional practice requires architects to organise
and manage their work effectively, employing
robust business practices and responsible financial
management.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 4 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

4.1 Provide clear, understandable, written terms of engagement to their clients

before commencing work

4.2 Plan, monitor and manage their work in a timely manner

4.3 Have sufficient resources and capacity to provide their services effectively

4.4 Establish processes to ensure that projects are regularly monitored and
reviewed

4.5 Maintain accurate records of their work and decisions

4.6 Protect the confidentiality and security of information for which they are
responsible

4.7 Ensure their liabilities are covered by adequate and appropriate professional
indemnity insurance

4.8 Deal with disputes or complaints promptly and courteously

4.9 Manage their professional finances appropriately

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Standard 5 - Communication and
collaboration

Architects must communicate

effectively and collaborate with others

Effective communication and collaboration are

essential to delivering successful outcomes. By
actively listening, sharing information transparently
and working respectfully with clients, colleagues and
other stakeholders, architects can build trust, resolve
challenges and achieve shared goals.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 5 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

5.1 Communicate in a way that is appropriate to their audience

5.2 Understand and confirm their clients’ initial requirements before committing to
work

5.3 Explain their role to their clients, and manage the expectations of others as to
what can be achieved

5.4 Communicate to their clients, in a timely manner, any issues that may impact
the cost, time or quality of a project

5.5 Collaborate proactively with other professionals

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Standard 6 - Respect

Architects must treat others with

respect

Respect is fundamental to building trust and

fostering positive relationships. By promoting open-
mindedness and inclusive practices, architects can
create environments where all ideas and individuals
are valued, contributing to a collaborative and
innovative profession.

There are a number of ways to meet Standard 6 and below are examples of the
conduct and practices expected.

Architects will meet the Standard when they:

6.1 Are polite and considerate

6.2 Have a committed approach to equality, diversity and inclusion in their

approach to designing environments and in their relationships with colleagues,
employees, clients and communities

6.3 Contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment where unfair

discrimination is not tolerated

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For more information, please contact the Architects Registration Board

5th floor, 70 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8NH

Web: www.arb.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7580 5861