Application for entry in the list of architects (specialising in architecture)

Responsibility lies with the Lower Saxony Chamber of Architects.

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Registration requirements

Registration is possible under the following conditions (overview):

- Completion of a course of study corresponding to the subject area with a standard duration of at least 4 years

- Completion of at least 2 years of professional practice under the supervision of an architect, including submission of own work

- Proof of compulsory further training

- Residence, professional establishment or place of work in Lower Saxony for registration in the employment type "freelance":

-Proof of sufficient professional liability insurance

Registration requirements in detail according to §§ 5-7 NArchtG:

§ 5
Requirements for registration

( 1) Upon application, a person shall be entered in the list of architects with a professional title in accordance with Section 1 (1) and an addendum in accordance with Section 10 (1) who

1. has a place of residence or a professional establishment in Lower Saxony or practises his profession wholly or partly, but not only temporarily and occasionally, in Lower Saxony and

2. is qualified to perform the professional duties associated with the professional title in accordance with Section 2 (1) to (6).

(2) Entry in the list of architects shall be refused if there are facts indicating that the applicant does not possess the reliability required for the profession.

§ 6
Qualification on the basis of a degree
and practical professional experience

(1) The qualification pursuant to Section 5 (1) No. 2 is held by anyone who

1. has successfully completed a course of study corresponding to the respective subject area at a German university in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 2 and the guidelines on training content (see appendix) or

2. has successfully completed a course of study corresponding to the respective subject area at a foreign university or at another foreign educational institution which is equivalent to a course of study in accordance with number 1,

and has subsequently completed practical work experience in this subject area in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 3 and 4.

(2) ¹ In the field of architecture, the standard period of study must be at least four years.

(3) ¹ The practical professional activity must have been completed full-time for at least two years, or longer if part-time, and must have built on the knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the course of study in the respective subject area and enabled the acquisition of practical professional knowledge, skills and competences in the essential parts of the respective professional tasks in accordance with Section 2 (1) to (6). ² It may also have been completed abroad. ³ Evidence of the practical professional activity must be provided by submitting own work and documents which show the duration of the activity and the practical professional knowledge, skills and competences acquired.

(4) ¹ At least eight one-day further training events on the following topics must have been attended as part of the practical professional activity:

1. public law fundamentals and procedures of planning and construction,

2. civil law fundamentals of planning and construction,

3. planning and construction practice and

4. economic efficiency of planning and construction.

² For registration with the professional title "architect", attendance of two courses per subject area is required and for registration with another professional title in accordance with Section 1 (1), attendance of one course per subject area and four further courses is required.

(5) ¹ For registration with the professional title of "architect", the practical professional activity must also have been completed under the supervision of a professional person or a chamber of architects which has monitored that the practical professional activity complies with paragraph 3 sentence 1. ² For registration with the professional title "architect", up to one year of the practical professional activity may already have been completed after completion of a three-year course of study. ³ The Chamber of Architects may regulate the details of the content of the practical professional activity, the requirements for supervision and the documents in accordance with paragraph 3 sentence 3 by means of statutes (see link under Forms/Applications).

§ 7
Qualification based on the recognition of a European professional qualification

(1) ¹ The qualification pursuant to Section 5 (1) No. 2 for registration with the professional title of "architect" shall also be held by anyone who has proof of training

1. in accordance with Annex V No. 5.7.1 of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 7, 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ EU No. L 255 p. 22; 2007 No. L 271 p. 18; 2008 No. L 93 p. 28; 2009 No. L 33 p. 49; 2014 No. L 305 p. 115), last amended by Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2016/790 of January 7, 2016 (OJ EU No. L 134 p. 135),

2. in accordance with Annex VI of Directive 2005/36/EC, if the training for the profession of architect began at the latest in the academic reference year specified therein, or

3. in accordance with Article 49(2) of Directive 2005/36/EC

has.

(2) ¹ The qualification pursuant to Section 5 (1) No. 2 shall also be held by any person who

1. possesses one or more evidence of formal qualifications which are required in another Member State of the European Union, another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or a state treated as such by agreement in order to obtain authorization to take up and practice the profession there, or

2. has practiced the profession full-time for one year, or correspondingly longer if part-time, in the previous ten years in a state referred to in number 1 in which this profession is not regulated, and is in possession of one or more training certificates issued by the competent authority in a state referred to in number 1 which certify that the holder has been prepared for the practice of the profession,

if there are no significant differences between the professional qualification resulting from the certificates and the professional qualification pursuant to Section 6 in accordance with paragraph 4 or if these differences have been

differences have been compensated for in accordance with paragraph 6. ² In the case of registration with the professional title "architect", sentence 1 shall only apply if the requirement of paragraph 1 is not fulfilled for special and exceptional reasons.

(3) The following shall be deemed equivalent to proof of training in accordance with paragraph 2 sentence 1 no. 1

1. evidence of formal qualifications issued in third countries under the conditions of Article 3 (3) of Directive 2005/36/EC,

2. evidence of formal qualifications or sets of evidence of formal qualifications recognized as equivalent in a country referred to in paragraph 2 sentence 1 no. 1 under the conditions of Article 12 (1) of Directive 2005/36/EC and

3. professional qualifications under the conditions of Article 12 (2) of Directive 2005/36/EC.

(4) Significant differences exist between the proven professional qualification and the professional qualification required under § 6 if

1. the evidence relates to skills, knowledge and competences which differ significantly in terms of content or scope from the skills and knowledge to which the vocational training regulated in § 6 relates,

2. the relevant skills, knowledge and competences constitute an essential prerequisite for practising the respective profession and

3. the person to be registered has not compensated for these differences by knowledge, skills and competences acquired in the course of their professional practice or through lifelong learning and which have been recognized by a competent body.

(5) ¹ If registration cannot take place due to significant differences in accordance with paragraph 4, the Chamber of Architects shall establish the proven professional qualification and the significant differences to the professional qualification required in accordance with Section 6 by means of a written decision. ² The notice shall state the level of the professional qualification demonstrated within the meaning of Article 11 of Directive 2005/36/EC, the level required under Section 6 and the reasons why the significant differences cannot be offset by the qualifications referred to in paragraph 4 no. 3. ³ The decision shall also state which compensatory measures pursuant to paragraph 6 can be used to compensate for the significant differences.

(6) ¹ For registration with the professional title "architect", the substantial differences pursuant to paragraph 4 may be compensated for by passing an aptitude test; if the training corresponds to the qualification level pursuant to Article 11 letter a of Directive 2005/36/EC, the possibility of compensation shall not exist...

by completing an adaptation period of no more than three years or by passing an aptitude test at the choice of the person to be registered, if the training corresponds to the level of qualification referred to in Article 11(c), (d) or (e) of Directive 2005/36/EC. c, d or e of Directive 2005/36/EC.

³ If an aptitude test must be taken in accordance with sentences 1 and 2 nos. 1 and 2, the Chamber of Architects must ensure that the aptitude test can be taken within six months of notification of the decision in accordance with paragraph 5.

Annex Guidelines on the content of training pursuant to Section 6 sentence 1 no. 1 NArchtG

A.

General information

Theoretical and practical aspects of the specialization must be sufficiently covered in the course of study in relation to the respective professional tasks in accordance with Section 2 NArchtG as well as the required professional skills and possible activities.

B.

Specializations

I. Subject area Architecture

The degree program must focus primarily on architecture with course content in accordance with Article 46 (2) of Directive 2005/36/EC. At least 240 credit points according to the European Credit Transfer System (credit points) must have been acquired in the subject groups listed below. In the individual subject groups, at least the number of credit points specified in each case must have been acquired.

1. design and building theory: 48 credit points

The subject area group includes, for example, the subject areas

Design, design methodology, detailed design, building theory, utilization planning.

2. presentation and design: 12 credit points

This subject group includes, for example, the following subjects

Design basics, descriptive geometry, freehand drawing, painting, sculptural design, model making, photography, CAD, presentation, visual communication.

3. urban development, local and regional planning: 6 credit points

The subject area group includes, for example, the subject areas

Urban planning, settlement planning, regional planning, landscape planning.

4. general scientific foundations of architecture: 6 credit points

This subject group includes, for example, the following subjects

Building history, art history, architectural theory, building culture, monument preservation, political science, sociology.

5. building construction and structural design: 24 credit points

This subject group includes, for example, the following subjects

Building construction, structural design, strength theory, implementation and detail planning.

6. building materials, building physics and building technology: 12 credit points

This subject group includes, for example, the following subjects

Building materials science, building physics, technical construction, energy-efficient construction, ecology.

7. construction economics and planning management: 6 credit points

This subject group includes, for example, the following subjects

Data processing, surveying, building surveys, construction operations, cost and schedule planning, project management, facility management.

8. law and regulations, possibly also as part of subject groups 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7: 6 credit points

The subject area group includes, for example, the subject areas

Planning law, building regulations law, private building and architectural law, public procurement law, standards and guidelines.

If a subject area of subject group 8 is part of subject group 1, 3, 5, 6 or 7, the minimum number of credit points in subject group 8 is reduced and the minimum number of credit points in the other subject group is increased accordingly.

The application must be accompanied by documents relating to the following areas:

• Evidence of formal qualifications
• Foreign applicants: copy of identity card or passport as proof of nationality
• Practical work
• Own work and certificates
• Compulsory training
• Type of employment
• For freelance applicants: proof of professional liability insurance

All documents in non-German must be accompanied by a translation, which must be confirmed by a publicly appointed and sworn translator.

Important note on registration:

Registration presupposes that the applicant has a domicile or a professional establishment in Lower Saxony or pursues the profession wholly or partially, but not only temporarily and occasionally, in Lower Saxony (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1 NArchtG).

Please have all the necessary documents ready for the electronic application. Without the complete documentation, you will not be able to complete the electronic application process and submit your application.

Depending on whether you are registering with a Chamber of Architects for the first time or whether you are applying for re-registration or registration in Lower Saxony after an existing registration in another federal state, different proofs are required. Therefore, the two variants are presented separately in the following with regard to the documents to be provided.

Documents required for a first registration:

• Evidence of formal qualifications

Copies of the diploma certificate and diploma certificate, if applicable, copy of the Bachelor's and Master's certificates and a copy of the respective degree certificate and the respective Diploma Supplement as proof of studies in the field of architecture with a standard period of study of at least four years of study. 

Applicants with evidence of formal qualifications from a member state of the EU or another state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or a country treated as such by an agreement:

Certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin on the conformity of the training with the European Professional Recognition Directive (BARL - 2005/36/EC), e.g. according to Art. 46 in conjunction with Annex V No. 5.7.1, Art. 49 para.1 in conjunction with Annex VI or Art. 49 para. 2 BARL

In the case of studying abroad outside the EU, the EEA or equivalent countries:

Copies of graduation certificates and certificates. The documents must state the standard duration of study and the training content with the respective temporal scopes.

Note: A list of foreign universities recognised in the Federal Republic of Germany can be found on the Internet (www.anabin.de). If you have any questions about the equivalence of foreign degrees, you can also contact the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB: www.kmk.org). It is responsible for the assessment of foreign qualifications in Germany. (Postal address: Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, Taubenstraße 10, 10117 Berlin).

• Foreign applicants:

Copy of identity card or passport as proof of nationality

• Practical work

Certificates from architects as supervising professional members of at least 2 years of full-time work – correspondingly longer part-time –  in the essential professional tasks pursuant to § 2 para. 1, 5 and 6 NArchtG (cf. § 6 para. 3 and 5 NArchtG as well as the statutes of the Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony for the field of practical professional activity under supervision of 23.11.2017, cf. also the performance profiles of the Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure (HOAI). 

If a chamber of architects has supervised the practical professional activity, a certificate from the Chamber of Architects must be submitted. Such a certificate is not required if the Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony has supervised it. 

Note: If the practical work began before 01.01.2018 and was not completed under the supervision of an architect, the transitional provision of § 43 NArchtG must be observed. Thereafter, the provisions of the NArchtG 2003 continue to apply insofar as they are more favourable to the applicant. Accordingly, a professional activity can also be recognised if it has not been carried out under the supervision of a member of the profession. Anyone wishing to make use of this transitional arrangement must submit certificates from employers, clients or authorities as proof of practical professional activity. In these cases, however, there is a risk that the entry in the list of architects will not be recognised in another EU country in accordance with the BARL. 

• Submission of own work and certificates

As a rule, at least two plans must be submitted for three objects (design plans – e.g. scale 1: 100) and at least one execution plan (scale 1: 50 or 1: 20) and a detailed drawing for one object.

If a professional has supervised the professional activity, it must be accompanied by a certificate from the professional that the own work submitted has been carried out under the supervision of that professional. 

If the Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony has supervised the practical professional activity, the work to be submitted must be selected from the work submitted to the Chamber of Architects during the practical professional activity. The same applies if the Chamber of Architects of another federal state has exercised supervision.

• Compulsory training

In order to deepen the focus of the practical professional activity, at least eight one-day training events on specific topics (§ 6 para. 4 NArchtG) must have been attended. Two events on the following topics are required:

1. public law principles and procedures for planning and construction,

2. civil law foundations of planning and building,

3. planning and construction practice and

4. Cost-effectiveness of planning and construction.

• Type of employment

The type of freelance employment must be proven by a certificate from the tax consultant, the tax office or the office partner(s).

The type of employment employed is proven by a certificate from the employer. Unemployed applicants submit a certificate from the Employment Agency, a copy of the approval decision if applicable.

Civil servant applicants submit a copy of their certificate of appointment and a current certificate from the employer on the nature of the activity.

Applicants active in the construction industry submit a business registration or an excerpt from the commercial register with a list of shareholders.

• For freelance applicants 

Proof of professional liability insurance (cf. § 11 NArchtG)

Documents required for a change of chamber / re-registration:

• Copy of the diploma or bachelor's and master's certificate and copies of the respective degree certificates

• Proof of previous or current registration – copy of the registration certificate/certificate of the respective Chamber of Architects or proof of the previous or current entry in the list of drafters of the Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony

• Proof of current type of employment – see variant initial registration

• For freelance applicants:

Proof of professional liability insurance (cf. § 11 NArchtG)

• § 11 Lower Saxony Architects Act (NArchtG)

Registration fee: EUR 285.00

If the Chamber of Architects has supervised the practical professional activity, the fee is: EUR 192.50.

In the case of additional registration in other disciplines, a separate application must be submitted; for this the registration fee is: 250,00 EUR.

Fee for re-registration/change of chamber: EUR 195.00

If you do not use the fully electronic application procedure including the online payment function, please attach a receipt, e.g. printout of the transfer via the payment for online banking, to your registration application. The bank details are:

Nord/LB Hannover: BIC NOLADE2HXXX - IBAN: DE55 2505 0000 0101 4747 81

Commerzbank Hannover: BIC COBADEFFXXX - IBAN: DE97 2504 0066 0338 8345 00

The following payment methods are possible online:

• Credit card

• Scale of fees of the Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony

An application for registration must be submitted in writing or online using the form provided. The supporting documents referred to under "Required documents" must be attached to the application. The procedure is essentially regulated in §12 of the Lower Saxony Architects Act.

• § 12 Lower Saxony Architects Act (NArchtG)

There are no deadlines to be observed.

Usually up to 3 months, maximum 4 months (cf. § 12 NArchtG)

• § 12 Lower Saxony Architects Act (NArchtG)

• Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony Registration
• Chamber of Architects of Lower Saxony

• §§ 5 -12 Lower Saxony Architects Act (NArchtG)

Possibility of bringing an action before the Administrative Court of Hanover