Non-Local Architectural Professionals (NLAP), after going through an assessment jointly held by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board HKSAR (ARB), may be admitted as a Member of the Institute which, in accordance with the Architects Registration Ordinance, will be readily accepted as a Registered Architect by ARB.

A.             Eligibility

1)             Non-Local Architectural Professionals Qualifications

A holder of the professional registration by a national registration body of architects

Professional qualifications other than the list above will be considered case by case based on applicant’s individual merits.

2)       Relevant local and overseas Practical Experience

For details, please refer to HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook Section 3.

(Important Note: For 2025 July PA Handbook amendments on NLAP sections, please refer to :https://hkia.net/en/whats-on/3/information/detail/752)

B. Assessment Components

NLAP with not less than 15 years of practical experiences (Group A)

NLAP Group A candidates with not less than 15 years of post-professional registration practical experience (both local and overseas experiences are counted as experience) are required

• to submit a professional profile, and
• to pass the Professional Interview (Professional Assessment Paper 9)  

NLAP with not less than 2 years of practical experiences (Group B)

NLAP Group B candidates with not less than 2 years of recognised post-professional registration local practical experience are required

• to pass Papers 1 and 2 of the Professional Assessment (candidates should follow the 8-year validity rule for Professional Assessment Papers 1 and 2);
• to submit a professional profile; and
• to pass the Professional Interview (Professional Assessment Paper 9).

C. Application procedure

Application Period: 1-31 Oct 2024 
[NLAP 2025 application was ended, next registration period for NLAP 2026 will be on 1-31 Oct 2025]

If you find yourself eligible and interested in applying for NLAP Admission, please submit on or before 5:30pm of 31 October 2024 by email to joinhkia@hkia.org.hk with below documents:

1. HKIA Membership Application form (NLAP)
2. Payment slip with cheque/ payment proof
3. Your professional profile 
4. and substantiating documents required as stated in membership admission guidelines on page 6 of the enclosed application form.

Vetting and confirmation on qualification from issuing authorities may be lengthy on some occasions.  Therefore, applicants are reminded to provide all relevant and complete documentation; otherwise they may risk not being processed in time for NLAP Admission 2025.   

Eligible candidates for enrolling in NLAP Admission 2025 will receive written acknowledgement email from HKIA/ARB. 

All candidates will be automatically registered for the Professional Assessment Lecture Series 2025 to be held in July – September 2025 (Papers 1, 2, 6 and 7), January – February 2025 (Papers 3, 4 and 5) and April 2025 (Paper 8), though attendance of the lectures is non-compulsory. Video recordings will be provided subject to consent of lecture speakers.   

ALL NLAP Group B candidates who have not passed Papers 1 and 2 previously will also be registered for the Professional Assessment Papers 1 and 2 to be held in November 2025.

Both

1. NLAP Group A candidates, and
2. NLAP Group B candidates who have passed both Papers 1 and 2

are eligible to sit for NLAP Professional Interview (Paper 9 of Professional Assessment) in 2026 with dates to be confirmed.

Package fee

The package fee for NLAP is HK$15,000. Kindly note that HK$5,000 is non-refundable under any circumstances.

The NLAP package fee already includes the fee for a complete series of Professional Assessment lectures of the particular Professional Assessment year, Professional Interview and where applicable, Professional Assessment Papers 1 & 2. However, a relevant fee will be charged for retaking one or both written papers, or the Professional Interview after the first attempt.

Should you have any questions, please contact HKIA/ARB Secretariat Jenny Lai at 3155 0424 or Cindy Yue at 3155 0428.

Encl.   Membership Application Form

          Payment Slip

          Annex A – Template of Professional Profile

          Confirmation_Academic_Qualification

          Confirmation_Professional_Qualification