HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Update: One Single Technical Paper to replace Papers 3, 4 & 5
Date: 03 July 2025
HKIA Circular no.: 37/2025
ARB Circular no.: 14/2025
3 July 2025
HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Update:
One Single Technical Paper to replace Papers 3, 4 & 5
HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment is a primary pathway for professionally trained persons in architecture to meet the prerequisites for becoming HKIA Members and be eligible to become Registered Architects in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) regularly review the existing system to identify areas for improvements and respond to ongoing and anticipated changes.
After many studies and deliberations, HKIA and ARB has decided that as from March 2027, Papers 3 (Building structures), Paper 4 (Building services and Environmental control) and Paper 5 (Building materials and technology) will be abolished and replaced by a single, integrated technical paper. The new technical paper will emphasis practical applications and focus on an integrated approach to building design and construction. The detail of the New Technical Paper is outlined below.
The eligibility criteria for registering of the new technical paper will be the same as that of the existing paper 3, 4 and 5.
Candidates should plan their examination accordingly to suit their individual status. All candidates who have not passed all the 3 Papers (Paper 3, 4 & 5) before the launching of the new single Technical Paper will be required to take the new Technical Paper.
Please refer to the tables below for a comparison of the current Papers 3, 4, and 5 with the new format of the combined single paper.
Existing Papers 3, 4 & 5 Structure
|
3 Papers |
No. of MC Questions |
Time Allowed |
|
Paper 3 - Building Structures |
90 |
1.5 Hours |
|
Paper 4 - Building Services & Environmental Controls |
90 |
1.5 Hours |
|
Paper 5 - Building Materials & Technology |
90 |
1.5 Hours |
|
Total |
270 |
4.5 Hours |
Single Technical Paper Starting from 2027 Q1
|
One Combined Paper |
No. of MC Questions |
Time Allowed |
|
Section A Combined Topics from Papers 3, 4 & 5
|
75 |
2.5 Hours |
|
Section B Scenario-based Integrated Questions
|
15 |
|
|
Total |
90 |
2.5 Hours |
Timeline for Termination of Papers 3, 4, 5 and Implementation of a Combined Single Paper
|
Format |
PA Activities |
Timeline |
|
* Existing Papers 3,4&5 |
Examination of PA 2025 Q2 |
July 2025 |
|
Registration for PA 2026 Q1 |
October 2025 |
|
|
Examination of PA 2026 Q1 |
March 2026 |
|
|
Registration for PA 2026 Q2 |
April 2026 |
|
|
Examination of PA 2026 Q2 |
July 2026 |
|
|
Single Technical Paper |
Registration for PA 2027 Q1 |
October 2026 |
|
Examination of PA 2027 Q1 |
March 2027 |
|
|
Registration for PA 2027 Q2 |
April 2027 |
|
|
Examination of PA 2027 Q2 |
July 2027 |
Further details regarding fees, contents, and preparatory guidelines for the new combined single paper will be released in due course. Candidates are encouraged to stay informed through the HKIA website.
Please do not hesitate to contact HKIA Secretariat at +852 25116323, or joinhkia@hkia.org.hk if you have any questions.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Yours sincerely,
HKIA Secretariat