Architect – automatic recognition of qualifications

Do you wish to work as an architect in Poland? Are you a citizen of one of the EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein and you have obtained your qualifications to practise the profession of architect in one of those countries? If your diploma is on the list of those recognised in the European Union, you can apply for automatic recognition of qualifications. Find out how to do this.

How to proceed

What you should know and who can use this service

Who may apply for recognition of professional qualifications

You may apply for recognition of qualifications if you are a citizen of one of EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein and you have obtained your qualifications to practise the profession of architect in one of those countries, and you meet the requirements specified in the Act of 15 December 2000 on professional self-government of architects and construction engineers.

When automatic recognition of qualifications is possible

The procedure for automatic recognition of qualifications will be possible if the applicant’s diploma or other documents approved by the European Commission are listed in:

• Notice of the Minister for Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy of 20 August 2013 on the list of diplomas and other documents issued by the European Union Member States other than the Republic of Poland, Swiss Confederation, Members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, confirming qualifications to practise the profession of architect and the periods of education

and

• Attachments to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications

If your diploma is not listed in one of the above-mentioned documents, you may apply for recognition of your qualifications under the general system.

Representative for service of documents

If you live abroad and you have not appointed a representative residing in Poland to act on your matter, you are required to name a representative for service of documents in Poland, unless all documents are to be delivered by means of electronic communication. If you do not appoint such a representative, all documents addressed to you will remain in your case file as if they have been delivered to you.

When you should complete this procedure

Apply before you start practising as an architect in Poland.

Where you can complete this procedure

IZBA ARCHITEKTÓW RZECZYPOSPOLITEJ POLSKIEJ W WARSZAWIE ul. Stawki 2A, 00-193 Warszawa

What to do step by step

1. Submit an application for automatic recognition of qualifications to practise the profession of architect

You may submit your application in writing or online by sending it to the e-PUAP mailbox of the National Council of the Chamber of Architects.

Submit your application in Polish.

Documents

Time limit

Apply before you start practising as an architect in Poland.

2. Formal analysis of the application and its attachments

The National Council of the Chamber of Architects performs the initial analysis of the application to verify whether the applicant has submitted all documents necessary to conduct the procedure of automatic recognition of qualifications. If the documentation is complete, it is forwarded to the National Qualifications Commission (KKK).

The National Council of the Chamber of Architects notifies the applicant of the receipt of the application no later than one month of the date of receipt. Such notice states the date of filing the application and the case number.

Documents

Time limit

Within 1 month

3. Request to correct any formal defects

If the application is found incomplete, the National Council of the Chamber of Architects requests the applicant to correct the formal defects within the indicated time limit. If the defects are not corrected within the indicated time limit, the National Council notifies the applicant that the application will not be considered.

Documents

How much you will have to pay

PLN 1221.50 - fee for the proceedings on the recognition of qualifications to pursue the profession of architect

Where to pay: pay the fee for the proceedings on the recognition of qualifications to the account of the National Council of the Chamber of Architects.

How long you will have to wait

How can you appeal

The applicant is entitled to apply for re-examination of his/her application following the decision of the National Council of the Chamber of Architects, within 14 days of the date of receipt of such decision. If the applicant wishes to appeal against the decision of the National Council of the Chamber of Architects issued as a result of such re-examination, he or she should file a complaint to the Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw, within 30 days of the date of receipt of such decision. The complaint is filed through the National Council of the Chamber of Architects.

Good to know

A citizen of a Member State holding professional qualifications to practise the profession of architect or construction engineer is entitled to use in the territory of the Republic of Poland his/her original title indicating his/her education completed in the Member State, or its abbreviation in the language of such Member State.

The documents related to the procedure of the recognition of qualifications are kept in the office of the National Council of the Polish Chamber of Architects.