The following are information pertaining to questions frequently asked by architects. It is not intended to explain all aspects of the BOA-SIA CPD Programme, but to address key areas of current concern pertaining to the Programme. The FAQ will be updated from time to time to reflect the latest requirements of the Programme.
1. What is SIA-BOA CPD Programme?
The BOA-SIA CPD Programme is a continuing professional development system, developed by the SIA for the professional development needs of architects as a mandatory requirement for the renewal of practicing certificate. The objective is to enable the architects to keep themselves current, acquire new knowledge and skills, plan for the future, and responsibly meet the role society entrusts to a professional. The BOA-SIA CPD Programme aims to assist architects in maintaining their competence and achieving their professional goals. It has the potential to be one of the primary forces in the improvement and revitalisation of the profession.
2. How does it work?
Licensed architects are required to earn CPD points for the renewal of the practicing certificate under the Architects Act. CPD points can be earned by participating in approved activities and committee works. These approved activities are usually offered under the BOA-SIA CPD Programme and by its Registered Service Providers. Architects are required to keep their own record of CPD points earned through participating in CPD activities. However, as a service to architects, the record can also be accessed from the SIA Website www.sia.org.sg. The detail of the reporting procedure is given in item (16) below.
3. What is the annual CPD point requirement?
All registered architects who wish to practise in Singapore, are required to successfully obtain the annual requirement as stipulated in the Architects Act as follows:
Where a registered architect is below the age of 60 years on the date on which the practising certificate in respect of which he has made an application is to commence the requisite continuing professional development (CPD) points he is required to obtain before a practicing certificate may be issued to him is 20 CPD points
Where a registered architects is 60 years and above but below the age of 70 years on the date on which the practicing certificate in respect of which he has made an application is to commence, the requisite continuing professional development points (CPD) he is required to obtain before a practicing certificate may be issued to him is 15 (CPD) points
Where a registered architects is 70 years and above on the date on which the practising certificate in respect of which he has made an application is to commence, the requisite continuing professional development (CPD) points he is required to obtain before a practicing certificate may be issued to him is 10 CPD points.
| Below 60 years (i.e. 59 years and below) | 20 points |
| 60 years and above but below 70 years | 15 points |
| 70 years and above | 10 points |
4. What if I do not have enough CPD points?
The BOA may issue a practicing certificate notwithstanding that he has failed to obtain the requisite continuing professional development points applicable to him during the qualifying period if he gives an undertaking that he will make up for the shortfall in the requisite CPD points during the period of 12 months immediately following the last day of the qualifying period.
5. What if I have excess CPD points for the year?
Excess CPD points obtained in a year can be carried over only to the following year. For example, if the CPD points obtained in 2004 is say 28, 20 points can be used for renewing the 2005 practising certificate and 8 points can be carried forward for use when renewing the 2006 practising certificate.
6. Do I earn CPD points if I participate in committee?
Yes, participating in committees that contribute towards improving and upgrading architectural design, practice, education and the built environment.
For such activities, a maximum of 10 credit points can be used as part of the 20 CPD points’ requirements. CPD points will be applicable only for the year the architect serves on the committee. Application for committee CPD points must be done during the year the architect serves on the committee. Any application after the year in question will not be entertained. Any excess under this category cannot be carried over to the following year. In other words, irrespective of the number of points obtained for such activities, only 10 points can be used for renewal of the practising certificate.
The architect who participates in SIA committees must achieve 75% attendance to qualify for CPD point. The architect who represents SIA on government agency committees/workgroups, or who sits on government agency’s Boards, committees, workgroups, etc. should apply to the Joint Accreditation Panel for accreditation.
7. Do I earn CPD points if I am an Arbitrator?
Yes, an arbitrator will earn CPD points only when he handles a case during the year in question. This pertains to mediator, expert witness, adjudicator, expert determinator and other similar panels. Serving on a panel will not qualify for CPD points. Only when there is an active case during the year in question will earn CPD points.
8. Do I earn CPD points if I participate in a re-run seminar?
CPD points will not be earned for participating in a re-run seminar if you have attended the same seminar within the same year.
9. Do I earn CPD points for lecturing?
Yes, full-time lecturers in architecture leading to a recognised architectural degree will earn 10 CPD points. Part time lecturing (for at least one-semester) in architecture in recognised tertiary institutions will earn 5 CPD points.
10. What is the CPD point requirement if I am a newly registered architect?
A Newly Registered Architect is exempted from the CPD renewal requirement for the first application for the practising certificate and for the 1st renewal within 12 months from the notification of passing the Professional Practice Examination by BOA.
11. What is the cut-off date for reporting CPD points?
The cut-off date for reporting CPD points is 31 October each year. The reporting period is 1 November of current year to 31 October of the following year.
12. How do I fulfil the CPD point annual requirement if I am posted overseas for an extended period of time?
Architects who are overseas and who wish to renew their practising certificate have the following avenues to obtain the CPD points:
(i) By attending accredited webinars by various CPD registered service providers.
(ii) By attending relevant overseas seminars. The architect is encouraged to submit for accreditation (using the CPD points application form obtainable from SIA) before attending the overseas seminar. When submitting for accreditation, details of the seminar (such as seminar programme, write-up, and speaker’s particular) should accompany the application. The architect should submit proof of attendance not later than 6 months from date of seminar for recording purpose of CPD points.
(iii) Submitting for accreditation after attendance of overseas seminars is also allowed on condition that such submission should be done within 6 months from the date of the seminar. Submission for accreditation after 6 months from seminar date will not be allowed. Details of the seminar (such as seminar programme, write-up, speaker’s particular, and proof of attendance) should accompany the submission using the CPD points application form.
CPD points for attending seminars overseas are capped at a maximum of 10 points for the renewal of the practising certificate. The balance of the 10 points shall be earned by participating in CPD approved activities in Singapore.
13. How does mandatory CPD requirement affect the practising certificate?
The practising certificate may not be renewed, if the registered architect does not earn enough CPD points during the qualifying period.
If the architect does not wish to renew the practising certificate for the year he is not required to obtain the requisite CPD points during the qualifying period. However, the architect must obtain enough CPD points when applying for the practising certificate authorising him to engage in the practice of architecture for the following year.
14. Who are the registered service providers?
Several Service Providers are approved to conduct CPD accredited seminars/courses and they are mainly from the government agencies and non-profit organisations.
Organisations which wish to offer CPD seminars must first apply for approval to be Service Providers. Once approved, their seminars/courses can be submitted for accreditation. Seminars organised by the approved Service Providers are not recognised for CPD purposes, unless prior accreditation has been obtained. Architects must ensure that such seminars/courses have been accredited prior to attendance, if they need the CPD points. Application for CPD points for local seminars that have no prior accreditation will not be entertained.
15. What other events that architects can participate to earn CPD points?
CPD points are awarded for activities which contribute towards continuing professional development. Examples of such activities include serving in the various SIA committees, representing SIA in working groups/committees in government agencies, acting as mentor to architectural students, participating in SIA organised government related projects, speaking or chairing seminars, conferences, courses, workshops, etc. that are accredited under the BOA-SIA CPD Programme. These activities will be subject to review by the BOA-SIA CPD Programme Joint Accreditation Panel (JAP) from time to time. It should be noted that activities that were accredited with CPD points cannot be taken as precedence for similar activities to be automatically accredited with same number of CPD points.
16. How do I report my CPD activities?
The onus of keeping CPD points record is the responsibility of the architect. In this regard, all registered architects are advised to keep a summary record of CPD activities participated throughout the year. For convenience and ease of reference, the SIA will also provide a summary record of seminars/courses on SIA website www.sia.org.sg. Any discrepancies in their records should be advised to the Institute as soon as possible and latest by 31 October each year. Failing which, such summary records will be treated as accurate and correct, and will be forwarded to BOA for use when issuing the practising certificate, and no adjustment will be entertained or made then after regardless of any reason. CPD records can be viewed and downloaded and printed from the SIA website and submitted when renewing the practising certificate. The architect may also request for a copy from SIA at an administration charge of $20 per copy.
SIA will also submit a summary of CPD points to BOA one week after cut-off date, for use by BOA when issuing the practising certificate.
17. How are CPD points recorded?
The architect attending a seminar will sign the attendance register and show a photo-identification at the registration counter to record his/her attendance. The architect must ensure he/she signs the attendance register, failing which there will be no evidence of attendance. The seminar organiser will collate the signed attendance lists and submit these together with other required document to SIA.
In the case of a webinar, the organiser shall submits an attendance list (no signature required) and other required document to SIA.
Updating of the CPD points to individual attendees will take about 2-3 weeks after the organiser submit the attendance list and necessary documents.
18. How will quality be maintained?
Quality control is exercised on content of seminar, speakers and Service Providers. Such quality control is based on audit reviews and events are audited by random selection, or when a feedback has reached the BOA-SIA CPD Programme staff or committee members.
19. Where can I get help?
Assistance may be obtained from the SIA Secretariat via phone at +65 6226 2668 or via email at cpd@sia.org.sg.