Recognition of a foreign architect’s qualification

A person who has obtained abroad the qualification giving access to the profession of architect, and who intends to practise in Italy, must have it recognised by the Ministry of University and Research, the authority responsible for the architect and for the other professions of the architecture area.

When recognition is required

The profession of architect is regulated under Italian law, and its practice is reserved to members of the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators. A person who has obtained abroad the qualification that, in the country of origin, gives access to the profession must obtain its recognition in order to register with the Order and practise in Italy, or to make use of the corresponding professional title.

Who grants recognition

The competent authority is the Ministry of University and Research, which grants recognition of architect qualifications and of the professions of the architecture area obtained abroad, for the purpose of establishment in Italy. The procedure concludes with a recognition decree, the precondition for registration with the territorially competent Order. Recognition of the professional qualification is distinct from academic recognition of the title, which follows the university route and is not required for this purpose. The official guidance is published on the official page of the Ministry of University and Research.

The professions of the architecture area

The Order’s register is divided into two sections, under Presidential Decree 328/2001. Section A comprises the architect, the town planner, the landscape architect and the conservator of architectural and environmental heritage. Section B comprises the junior architect and the junior planner. Recognition of foreign qualifications for all these professions falls to the Ministry of University and Research.

Qualifications obtained in the European Union

The architect is one of the sectoral professions of Directive 2005/36/EC, for which automatic recognition applies. Qualifications obtained in a country of the European Union, in the European Economic Area or in Switzerland that meet the harmonised minimum training requirements and appear among those listed in the directive are recognised without a fresh examination of the course of study, and give entitlement to registration. For these qualifications a Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) is not required.

Where the qualification obtained in the Union does not fall among those admitted to automatic recognition, the general system applies, with a comparison between the training acquired and that required in Italy and, where appropriate, a compensation measure. For practice on a temporary and occasional basis, as opposed to establishment, a prior declaration is required.

Qualifications obtained in non-EU countries

For qualifications obtained outside the Union, recognition follows the general system and rests on an examination of the academic and professional background. The application is submitted to the Ministry of University and Research, on the ministerial forms, and must reconstruct the qualification and the authorisation obtained abroad. The following are required in particular:

• the foreign academic qualification, as a certified copy and with an official translation
• the transcript of examinations taken and the study programme, with an official translation
• the title or licence authorising practice of the profession in the country of origin, with an official translation
• any registration with the professional body of the country of origin
• the Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore) issued by the competent Italian diplomatic or consular mission
• documentation of the professional experience gained abroad
• a copy of a valid identity document or passport

Documents drawn up in a foreign language require translation into Italian, certified as conforming by the diplomatic or consular mission or by an official translator and, depending on the country of origin, legalisation or an Apostille under the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.

Compensation measures

Where the examination of the application reveals substantial differences between the foreign training and that required in Italy, recognition may be made subject to a compensation measure, in the form of an aptitude test or an adaptation period. Documented professional experience is taken into account in order to reduce or to waive the measure.

From the decree to registration with the Order

The recognition decree does not in itself permit practice of the profession. It is the precondition for registration with the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the district in which the professional intends to establish themselves, which completes the authorisation to practise. For a non-EU national, registration remains subject to holding a valid residence permit.

Timeframes and stamp duty

The procedure for non-EU qualifications is normally concluded within three months of submission of the complete documentation. Stamp duty is settled by means of two sixteen-euro stamps, one for the application and one for the decree. A third stamp is due where a certified paper copy of the decision is requested.

Legal references: Directive 2005/36/EC, Directive 2013/55/EU, Legislative Decree 206/2007, Legislative Decree 15/2016, Presidential Decree 328/2001, Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.