HKIA/ARB PA Paper 2
HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment
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ExploreAbout this exam
The HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment (PA) is the professional assessment route administered jointly by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) for candidates who have completed an HKIA/ARB accredited architectural programme and wish to proceed toward registration as an architect in Hong Kong. Registration itself is governed by the Architects Registration Ordinance (Cap. 408); the ARB website frames the registration route around applicants who have met the qualifications set out in section 13(1) of that Ordinance. The PA is therefore a milestone on the pathway to becoming a Registered Architect, not a separate licence.
The published PA structure on the HKIA site lists eligibility, assessment components, registration, the HKIA/ARB e-Self Service, preparation, the Case Study, Examiners' Reports, a Lecture and Seminar Series, a Study Guide and Sample Questions, a publication and open book list, a list of Professional Assessment Advisors, and results. Candidates should treat the Examiners' Reports and the Study Guide and Sample Questions as core preparation material, and note the separate Non-Local Architectural Professional (NLAP) route with its own eligibility and assessment components.
This page is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by HKIA or ARB, and it does not reproduce official question banks. Always confirm current requirements, dates, and procedures directly with HKIA and ARB before enrolling.
What you'll study
About HKIA/ARB PA Paper 2 preparation
Who is the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment for?
It is aimed at candidates who have completed an HKIA/ARB accredited architectural programme and are working toward registration as an architect in Hong Kong. Registration is governed by the Architects Registration Ordinance (Cap. 408), and the ARB registration route is framed around applicants meeting the qualifications in section 13(1). Non-local candidates should look at the separate NLAP route.
What does the assessment involve?
The HKIA Professional Assessment pages list eligibility, assessment components, registration, the e-Self Service, preparation, the Case Study, Examiners' Reports, a Lecture and Seminar Series, a Study Guide and Sample Questions, a publication and open book list, Professional Assessment Advisors, and results. Check the current handbook and announcements for the components that apply to your intake.
How should I order my study?
Start with eligibility and the assessment components so you know what is being tested. Then work through the Study Guide and Sample Questions and past Examiners' Reports before attempting full Case Study practice under time pressure. Use the open book list to decide what you will actually bring, and attend the Lecture and Seminar Series for framing rather than last-minute cramming.
Are past papers and sample questions available?
Yes. HKIA publishes a Study Guide and Sample Questions, Examiners' Reports, and an open book list under the Professional Assessment preparation pages. These are the appropriate official preparation materials. Avoid commercial question banks that claim to reproduce actual assessment content, and verify anything you use against the official HKIA and ARB publications.
What is the most common way candidates struggle?
Typically it is preparation that is broad but shallow: reading widely without rehearsing the Case Study under realistic conditions, or ignoring Examiners' Reports that show how answers are actually judged. Treat the reports as feedback on your own drafts, and be deliberate about what you bring from the open book list rather than assuming you can look everything up.
Can I get advice from a Professional Assessment Advisor?
HKIA maintains a list of Professional Assessment Advisors under the preparation pages. This is the appropriate channel for guidance on the assessment process. Confirm current availability and how to make contact through the HKIA website, since arrangements and lists are updated from time to time.
What if I qualified outside Hong Kong?
There is a separate Non-Local Architectural Professional (NLAP) route with its own eligibility and assessment components, listed alongside the Professional Assessment on the HKIA site. Do not assume the local PA sequence applies to you; check the NLAP eligibility and components pages and confirm your position with HKIA and ARB before preparing.
Where do I confirm dates, fees, and results?
Only through HKIA and ARB. HKIA publishes Professional Assessment notices and announcements, and ARB publishes circulars and news items on its website. This page is an independent study resource and does not set, interpret, or confirm any requirement, date, or fee.
Is this page officially connected to HKIA or ARB?
No. It is independent study material written for candidates searching this assessment. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects or the Architects Registration Board, and it does not reproduce any official question bank. Always rely on the official HKIA and ARB publications for requirements and procedures.