The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)

There are a number of routes to registration as an Architect in Ireland, but typically you must have: Completed an RIAI accredited and prescribed 5-year qualification in Architecture in Ireland or completed a prescribed qualification in architecture outside Ireland that has been approved by the RIAI, followed by Completion of at least two years of approved post-graduate professional experience (note that post-graduate means after completion of your 5-year qualification in Architecture.

‘Year Out’ experience does not count), followed by Completion of a RIAI accredited Professional Practice Examination. The Professional Practice Examination is the final stage in qualifying for admission to the Register of Architects and to RIAI Membership.

In Ireland, there are currently three Professional Practice Examination programmes available to Architectural Graduates. These programmes cover subjects such as professional ethics, planning and building legislation, contract law, project management, practice management, etc., and and success in the Professional Practice Examination leads to eligibility for admission to the Register for Architects in Ireland. Graduates of the following Professional Practice Examination qualifications are eligibile for admission to the Register for Architects in the Republic of Ireland:

Due to capacity issues currently affecting the ability of architectural graduates to progress to admission to the Register for Architects, it was deemed appropriate that the RIAI re-establish its Professional Practice Examination (PPE) function, having previously operated a PPE until 2014. The first RIAI PPE full programme cycle commenced in February 2025, and a second cycle commenced in February 2026.  The RIAI Examination Cycle is delivered over a calendar year and includes five parts: