HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Update: One Single Technical Paper to replace Papers 3, 4 & 5
日期: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

  • Building Structure
  • Building Services & Environmental Controls
  • Building Materials & Technology

 

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