Recognition of qualifications to pursue the profession of architect in relation to architects who are citizens of EU member states, the Swiss Confederation and Members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Recognition of qualifications can be either automatic or under the general system.

Automatic recognition is applicable when the diploma as well as accompanying certificates are included in the Annexes to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on recognition of professional qualifications – Annex V, point 5.7.1. or Annex VI, point 6.

If the diploma as well as accompanying certificates do not meet the above requirements, the general recognition applies.

The procedure for recognition of qualifications:

1. The architect submits (in person or by post to the address of the National Chamber of Polish Architects [Krajowa Izba Architektów RP], ul. Stawki 2A, 00-193 Warszawa) a completed application form to initiate proceedings aimed at recognition of qualifications to pursue the profession of architect in Polish version (English version for information only) and the required documents.
2. The National Qualification Committee, at its meeting, gives its opinion on the application form and the attached documents and submits it to the National Council of the Chamber of Architects.
3. In case the application form is not filled in completely or some of the attached documents are missing, the National Council of the Chamber of Architects calls the applicant to submit the missing documents.
4. The National Council issues a positive or negative decision on recognition of qualifications based on automatic or general recognition.
5. The decision on recognition of qualifications, after the deadline to appeal from the decision, i.e. after 14 days of its notification, is sent to:
   1. The Regional Chamber of Architects indicated by the applicant to enter into the list of members of this chamber (The list of regional chambers) and
   2. The Chief Inspector of Building Control to enter into a central registry of persons having building entitlements.

AUTOMATIC RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants are required to submit the following documents attached to the application form:

1. document confirming citizenship of the applicant (i.e. ID card or passport);
2. documents confirming professional qualifications required to work as an architect, and if required, documents confirming professional experience of the applicant;
3. certificate issued by appropriate authority of concerned member state, confirming that the applicant’s right to work as an architect had not been suspended, issued no more than 3 months prior the date of submitting the application form. If appropriate authority does not issue the certificate, it may be substituted by a statutory declaration submitted to the National Council of the Chamber of Architects by the applicant, under penalty of perjury, specified in article 233 of the Criminal Code. A specimen of such a statutory declaration can be found in Appendix No. 8 to the Regulations.
4. proof of payment of application fee for the proceedings aimed at recognition of professional qualifications – 1505 PLN
5. applicant’s statement of consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the proceedings aimed at recognition of professional qualifications - specimen of that statement can be found in Appendix No. 2 to the Regulations.

Any letters or documents shall be submitted in originals¹ and accompanied by photocopy or notarised copy in Polish or accompanied by sworn translation into Polish.
Documents confirming identity or citizenship of the applicant do not have to accompanied by sworn translation into Polish, however they have to be accompanied by notarised copy.

RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL SYSTEM

Applicants are required to present the following documents attached to the application form:

1. photocopy of a valid identity document;
2. photocopies of:
   1. diplomas,
   2. certificates and other documents confirming completed education,
   3. certificates and other documents confirming completed training courses and other forms of training,
   4. certificates and other documents confirming completed professional experience, showing information on period of employment, type of legal relationship between the applicant and employer/customer,
   5. certificates showing the applicant’s qualifications to work in a regulated profession, issued by an authorised institution in the applicants country of origin,
   6. document from the applicant’s country of origin, issued by an authorised institution, confirming the applicant’s rights to work in the concerned profession - provided that such documents are issued in the applicant’s country of origin ex officio or upon request of applicants, - accompanied by sworn translations into Polish;
3. sworn translation (into Polish) of the name of the profession;
4. copy of certificate issued by appropriate authority of concerned member state, confirming that the applicant’s right to work as an architect had not been suspended, that the applicant had not been prevented from working as an architect as a result of serious malpractice, issued no more than 3 months prior the date of submitting the application form, and if appropriate authority does not issue such documents, the applicant shall be required to file a statutory declaration under penalty of perjury, specified in article 233 of the Criminal Code. A specimen of such a declaration can be found in Appendix no. 8. to the Regulations;
5. proof of payment of application fee for the proceedings aimed at recognition of professional qualifications – 1505 PLN;
6. applicant’s statement of consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the proceedings aimed at recognition of professional qualifications - specimen of that statement can be found in Appendix No. 2 to the Regulations.

Any letters or documents shall be submitted in originals² and accompanied by photocopy or notarised copy in Polish or accompanied by sworn translation into Polish.
Documents confirming identity or citizenship of the applicant do not have to accompanied by sworn translation into Polish, however they have to be accompanied by notarised copy.

PAYMENTS

Payments related to proceedings aimed at recognition of qualifications to pursue the profession of architect are the following:

1. Payment for the recognition of qualification to practice the architectural profession which amounts to 1505 PLN should be made into the following account: Krajowa Izba Architektów RP
   ul. Stawki 2A, 00-193 Warszawa
   Powszechna Kasa Oszczędności Bank Polski SA
   10 1020 1013 0000 0102 0003 2359
   SWIFT CODE: BPKOPLPW
   IBAN: PL10 1020 1013 0000 0102 0003 2359

More information on the proceedings can be obtained at:

Office of the Polish Chamber of Architects
ul. Stawki 2A, 00-193 Warszawa
tel. +48 22-827-85-14
fax. +48 22-827-62-42
e-mail: izba@izbaarchitektow.pl

¹ original document must be presented for viewing only
² original document must be presented for viewing only