RIBA Standards Committee is seeking feedback on a proposed change to the Membership Eligibility Assessment Panel (MEAP) process.
The committee has brought forward a proposal to change the MEAP process, to put chartered membership eligibility criteria for architects practising outside the UK with non-RIBA validated qualifications on a fair and equal basis as for those with RIBA validated qualifications. This proposal has been endorsed by RIBA Council and is now subject to consultation with the chartered membership in accordance with RIBA Regulation 2.2.1.
RIBA validates qualifications at RIBA Part 1 and 2 in more than 50 countries, but we also receive applications for chartered membership from architects practising outside the UK that do not hold RIBA validated qualifications.
In 2016, RIBA Council introduced amended chartered membership eligibility criteria in relation to internationally qualified architects without RIBA validated qualifications who are practising outside the UK, based upon the principles of extending our professional membership and developing internationally.
The goal of this proposal is to ensure that eligibility criteria for chartered membership are fair and equitable for architects practising outside the UK, particularly those with non-RIBA validated qualifications. Currently, architects who hold RIBA-validated qualifications are subject to different membership eligibility criteria than those who hold international qualifications not validated by RIBA.
For architects practising outside the UK with non-RIBA validated international qualifications the membership eligibility requirements became:
- Awarded RIBA Parts 1 and 2 after individual assessment by the RIBA, undertaken by the Membership Eligibility Assessment Panel (MEAP), and a minimum of five years professional practical experience, or two years professional experience plus successful completion of a MEAP access course.
The core eligibility requirement for architects practising outside the UK with international qualifications which are validated by the RIBA is:
- RIBA-recognised Parts 1 and 2 examinations in architecture and two years post- qualification professional experience overseas.
Over time is has become clear that the additional requirements on top of the MEAP assessment for Part 1 and Part 2 equivalence (five years professional experience or two years plus completion of a MEAP access course) are a barrier to entry, act as a restriction on international membership growth, and impose a higher standard for entry than our default eligibility requirement for architects practising outside the UK, which is RIBA Parts 1 and 2 with at least two years professional post-qualification experience.
The MEAP process itself is an assessment of Part 1 and 2 equivalence, so it is inequitable that those that are able to demonstrate that by assessment must also jump a further hurdle than those who have RIBA validated qualifications. No Equality Impact Assessment was undertaken when this process was introduced.
For that reason of equity and consistency, it is proposed to simplify the requirement at this time to just MEAP assessment of Part 1 and Part 2 equivalency plus two years of professional experience. The membership eligibility requirements would become:
- Awarded RIBA Parts 1 and 2 after individual assessment by the RIBA, undertaken by the Membership Eligibility Assessment Panel (MEAP), and a minimum of two years professional practical experience.
We are therefore consulting chartered members on these proposals.
Standards Committee will give consideration to consultation responses received prior to finalising its decision on the implementation of this proposal. Any comments are welcome but in particular we would like to obtain responses to the following questions:
- Do you support the proposed changes to the MEAP process for chartered membership eligibility for architects practising outside the UK with non-RIBA validated international qualifications?
- Are there any factors you think the RIBA Standards Committee should take into account before enacting this change if it goes ahead?
- Do you have any significant concerns about this proposal, for example in relation to professional competence standards or equity of opportunity, that you wish to bring to the attention of the RIBA Standards Committee?
If you wish to share your thoughts please email professionalstandards@riba.org by 30 June 2025. Please include “MEAP consultation” followed by your RIBA Membership number as the subject of your email.
