Commencement of the RIAI Professional Practice Examination Programme
In March 2024, the RIAI made the landmark decision to develop and provide a new RIAI Professional Practice Examination. The RIAI operated a Professional Practice Examination (PPE) in the past but ceased its involvement in PPE in 2014. Due to capacity issues presently affecting the ability of architectural graduates to progress to admission to the Register of Architects, it was deemed appropriate that the RIAI re-establish its PPE function.
The first RIAI PPE full programme cycle will commence in early 2025. However, to clear some of the existing backlog, a special Case Study Programme will commence in October 2024. This special programme will be open to those who have successfully completed the Lecture Series and Written Examinations/Assignments modules at another RIAI accredited Professional Practice Examination programme (i.e., the Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice at TU Dublin or the Professional Diploma (Architecture) at UCD) but have not had the opportunity to complete the Case Study module at that university.
The eligibility criteria include:
- Applicants must hold either an Irish prescribed qualification in architecture or a non-Irish qualification in architecture approved by the RIAI.
- Applicants must have completed at least 24 months of approved professional experience under the supervision of a registered architect, with at least 12 months of that experience in Ireland.
- Applicants must have successfully completed:
- Module components ARCH6101, ARCH6102 and ARCH6103 at the Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice at TU Dublin;
Or - The three lecture-based modules Architectural Practice, Construction Legislation and Procurement & Contracts and associated written examinations at the Professional Diploma (Architecture) at UCD.
- Module components ARCH6101, ARCH6102 and ARCH6103 at the Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice at TU Dublin;
- Applicants must have a ready-to-go Case Study project that satisfies the criteria set down in the RIAI PPE Case Study Programme Guidelines.
Full information on the special Case Study Programme can be found in the RIAI PPE Case Study Programme Guidelines which are available below. Please ensure that you read the Guidelines carefully before making your application.
The application process for the Case Study Programme will be in two stages. Stage 1 will confirm eligibility, and successful applicants will be invited to submit Stage 2 documentation including detailed Case Study information and signed verification documents as outlined in the Case Study Programme Guidelines.
The fee for the RIAI Case Study Programme is €2,875.
The Stage 1 application form can accessed here.
The closing date for Stage 1 applications is 5pm on 26 September 2025.
Information regarding the RIAI PPE Full Programme will be issued later in 2024 and applications will begin in Q1 of 2025. There is no waiting list in operation so please keep an eye on the RIAI newsletter and website.
All enquires should be sent by email to the RIAI PPE Convenor, Carole Pollard.
