New RIAI Non-practising Membership Class

The RIAI has announced two new classes of membership – Non-practising Members and Fellows and Non-practising Architectural Technologists. The new classes were proposed by RIAI Council and passed by RIAI Members at the RIAI AGM on 17 June. Pictured are RIAI President Sean Mahon FRIAI and RIAI Council Member, Patrick Daly FRIAI (Non-practising), marking the announcement.

The Non-practising Members and Fellows class amalgamate the existing classes of Retired Member and Retired Fellow. The new class of Non-practising Members and Fellows class acknowledges that on occasion a Member or Fellow may wish to voluntarily withdraw from the register but maintain a connection with the Institute. For instance, Members and Fellows may change career out of architecture, move overseas and no longer require to be registered in Ireland, or take a career break for personal or family reasons. Previously the only option open to them was to remain on the register, despite not practising or transfer to the Retired Member or Fellow class while being under the typical age of retirement. Similarly, there are RIAI (Arch. Tech.) members who no longer practice as architectural technologists or who wish to take career breaks who would benefit from being able to transfer their membership to a Non-practising Architectural Technologist class. 

By introducing the Non-practising Membership classes Members, Fellows, and Architectural Technologists who choose to no longer practice would be able transfer to a class of membership that would more appropriately reflect their situation and allow them retain an active link and involvement with the Institute.

Entry Requirements for Non-practising Membership Classes

The entry requirements for the Non-practising Members and Fellows class is the same as eligibility for admission to the Register of Architects and the entry requirements to the Non-practising Architectural Technologist class is the same as eligibility for RIAI (Arch.Tech.) membership.

This means that a person can join the institute directly as a Non-practising Member or Fellow or Non-practising Architectural Technologist without having to have previously been a Member of the Institute.