Architect: conditions of access and exercise in France
Verified 23 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Directorate-General for companies, Ministry of Culture and Communication
- Technical and regulated life profession
- Liberal activity
- EPA Code : 71.11Z
- Social contributions : Urssaf
- Retirement : Inter-branch pension and old-age insurance fund (Cipav: titleContent)
- Health insurance : general social security scheme (CPAM: titleContent)
Definition
The architect participates in everything relating to the act of building and the planning of the space.
He is responsible for the various phases of the design and the realization the work of a work. Firstly, it is required to carry out a feasibility study of the site before drawing the first plans of the future building. He takes charge of obtaining the building permit and negotiates the prices with the various contractors who work on the site.
It also intervenes in the management and monitoring of construction sites, the maintenance, rehabilitation, transformation and enlargement of buildings, the security of buildings, the interior or exterior decoration of a building.
Throughout the project, it takes into account city planning regulations, legal and technical constraints, as well as the client's requirements on budget and deadlines in particular.
Once the plans have been designed, the architect co-ordinate the teams responsible for carrying out the work until delivery of the work.
Access
The profession of architect is regulated. You have to fill out conditions concerning training/qualification and registration (or declaration) with the Regional Council of the Order of Architects.
If these conditions are not complied with, the exercise of the profession of architect shall be illegal. This is a misuse of title. This offense is punishable by one year imprisonment and €15,000 of fine.
The condition of training or qualification depends on nationality:
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French
To practice the profession of architect in France, you must obtain one of the following French diplomas:
- State Diploma in Architecture (DEA)
- Diploma in Architecture (DPLG)
- Diploma in architecture from the Ecole speciale d'architecture de Paris (DESA)
- Diploma of architect of the National Higher School of Arts and Industries of Strasbourg (ENSAIS)
- Diploma of architect of the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Strasbourg (INSA)
This diploma must be supplemented by the authorization to the project management in its own name (HMONP) which allows to carry out construction projects of more than 150 m ²:
Authorization for project management: organization and financing
National Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
The HMONP prepares in 1 year in the National Higher Architecture Schools (ENSA) or in the architecture educational institutions. It is possible to pass the HMONP after a period of professional activity as a state-certified architect, by relying on the experience gained.
FYI
People who have graduated as architects before 2007 which are entitled “DPLG”, “ENSAIS” and “DESA” do not need to pass the HMONP.
It is also possible to practice in France as an architect, with a European diploma listed in Annexes V and VI of the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 . The Order of Architects provides a list of all recognized European diplomas:
List of recognized European diplomas for the profession of architect
Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
Certain diplomas obtained in a third country and recognized by ministerial decree may also be used as architects:
List of diplomas recognized by the French State
National Institute of Applied Sciences (Strasbourg)
Pour en savoir plus
National of an EU, EEA and Swiss State
The architect who is a citizen of a Member State of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) has the possibility of settling in France for an exercise permanent (we're talking about free establishment), or to exercise it temporarily his profession (we speak of freedom to provide services).
It must meet several conditions:
Establishment in France (permanent exercise)
Holder of a French diploma
A European national may practice in France if he holds one of the French diplomas following:
- State Diploma in Architecture (DEA)
- Diploma in Architecture (DPLG)
- Diploma in architecture from the Ecole speciale d'architecture de Paris (DESA)
- Diploma of architect of the National Higher School of Arts and Industries of Strasbourg (ENSAIS)
- Diploma of architect of the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Strasbourg (INSA)
This diploma must be supplemented by the authorization to the project management in its own name (HMONP) which allows to carry out construction projects of more than 150 m ²:
Authorization for project management: organization and financing
National Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
The HMONP prepares itself in one year in the National Higher Architecture Schools (ENSA) or in the architecture educational institutions. HMONP can be completed after graduation with a DEA or equivalent degree.
FYI
People who have graduated as architects before 2007 which are entitled “DPLG”, “ENSAIS” and “DESA” do not need to pass the HMONP.
A European national may also establish himself in France permanently if he receives automatic recognition of his educational qualification or recognition of his professional qualifications.
Automatic recognition of evidence of formal qualifications
It is also possible to practice as an architect with a European diploma. Some diplomas are automatically recognized to enable them to practice their profession in France. The recognized diplomas are listed in Annexes V and VI to the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005.
The Architects' Association shall make available a list of all European diplomas which benefit from automatic recognition of qualifications:
List of recognized European diplomas for the profession of architect
Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
Certain diplomas obtained in a third country and recognized by ministerial decree or by mutual recognition agreement may also be used as architects. These diplomas are listed below:
List of diplomas recognized by the French State
National Institute of Applied Sciences (Strasbourg)
Pour en savoir plus
FYI
Diplomas obtained in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2020 benefit from automatic recognition of diplomas.
Recognition of professional qualifications
In the absence of automatic recognition of his diploma, a European national may apply for recognition of his professional qualifications.
To apply for recognition of professional qualifications, one must be in one of the following situations:
- Have a diploma in architecture after at least 4 years of study in a course providing the diploma of architect or allowing the practice of the profession of architect in his State of origin
- Have a diploma issued by a third State recognized in an EU Member State or in another EEA State and have practiced the profession in that State for at least 3 years.
- Demonstrate professional experience in architectural design. In this case, the National Commission for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications gives its opinion on the quality of the architectural design.
Your request for authorization must be addressed to the Order of Architects in one of the following ways:
- Either by using the on-line approach next:
- Either by postal service by completing the following form:
The form must be sent to the following address:
Who shall I contact
FYI
For a faster instruction of the case, it is advisable to make an online request.
The file is received by the Ministry responsible for culture, which forwards it to the National Council of the Order of Architects for its opinion. A decision on the application for recognition of professional qualifications shall be issued and sent to the person concerned.
To obtain recognition of their professional qualifications, architects shall submit the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter setting out the applicant's reasons
- Collection presenting a diverse selection of studies and projects carried out, showing their external appearance, their interior design and their insertion in the site, illustrated with photographs, plans and sections as well as sketches and drawings
- List of references of work and studies carried out
- Copies of articles and publications on the achievements presented or on their authors
- Attestations and referrals from employers and clients
- Certificate issued by their home Member State attesting that the activities are architectural.
In the case of studies or projects carried out in collaboration or in association, the applicant shall specify the nature and extent of his participation and the name of the contracting authority. Where the applicant carries out his tasks in an agency, the work record shall contain one or more personal items of work.
These documents must be accompanied by their translation into French.
In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.
The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:
- The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
- Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).
After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:
- If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
- If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Freedom to provide services (temporary exercise)
In order to practice the profession of architect on a temporary and occasional basis in France, a European national must fulfill the following conditions:
- To practice the profession of architect and be legally established in a Member State of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Not subject to administrative or disciplinary sanctions which prevent the pursuit of the profession of architect.
A European national must obtain a license to practice without applying for registration in the Order of Architects. He must then file a declaration of performance of services in France:
- Either by using the on-line approach next:
Provision of services in France without registration in the Order of Architects (EU nationals)
- Either by postal service to the Regional Council of the Order of Architects of the place where the first performance is envisaged by completing the following file:
Architect: declare a freedom to provide services
Who shall I contact
When the file is complete, the Conseil de l'ordre sends its decision, within a period of 1 month upon receipt of the complete dossier.
Where the architect does not benefit from automatic recognition of diplomas, the Regional Council of the Order of Architects shall verify the professional qualifications.
In the event of a difference between his professional qualifications and the training required in France, the regional council of the order of architects proposes that he take an aptitude test before the committee for the evaluation of professional qualifications for the freedom to provide services. It is a test to demonstrate that he has acquired the missing knowledge and skills.
In case of unfavorable decision, it is possible to bring an action before the tribunal administratif de Paris within 2 months:
Who shall I contact
Please note
The architect providing the services must renew his declaration once a year if he intends to provide services temporarily or occasionally in France during the year concerned.
In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.
The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:
- The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
- Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).
After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:
- If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
- If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Third-country national
Nationals of third countries of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) must apply for an authorization if they wish to settle in France. He or she may also apply for authorization to practice the profession of architect for a given project on condition that he or she is a foreigner architect.
Installation in France
A third-country national may settle in France if he or she is in one of the following situations:
- He holds a French diploma in architecture.
- He holds a diploma recognized by the French State
Holder of a French diploma
A third-country national may establish himself in France if he is the holder of one of the French diplomas following:
- State Diploma in Architecture (DEA)
- Diploma in Architecture (DPLG)
- Diploma in architecture from the Ecole speciale d'architecture de Paris (DESA)
- Diploma of architect of the National Higher School of Arts and Industries of Strasbourg (ENSAIS)
- Diploma of architect of the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Strasbourg (INSA)
This diploma must be supplemented byauthorization to take charge in his own name (HMONP) which enables construction projects of more than 150 m² to be carried out.
The HMONP prepares itself in one year in the National Higher Architecture Schools (ENSA) or in the architecture educational institutions. HMONP can be completed after graduation with a DEA or equivalent degree.
FYI
People who have graduated as architects before 2007 which are entitled “DPLG”, “ENSAIS” and “DESA” do not need to pass the HMONP.
Holder of a diploma recognized by the French State
A third-country national may practice in France if he holds a diploma in architecture recognized by the French State.
For a list of recognized diplomas, please consult the following document:
List of diplomas recognized by the French State
National Institute of Applied Sciences (Strasbourg)
Pour en savoir plus
If the diploma is recognized, it you must then apply for a license to practice the profession of architect.
The file may be submitted:
- Either by using the on-line approach next:
- Either by postal service to:
Who shall I contact
FYI
For a faster instruction of the case, it is advisable to make an online request.
To learn more about licensure in France, you can visit the dedicated page of the ministry responsible for culture.
Implementation in France of a specific architectural project
The architect who is not a national of an EU Member State or of the EEA may carry out a specific project in France. To do so, he must obtain an authorization issued by the Ministry responsible for culture.
To obtain this license, a file must be filed:
- Either using the following online approach:
- By sending a file by post to the National Council of the Order of Architects:
Who shall I contact
National Council of the Order of Architects (CNOA), Ministry of Culture
Montparnasse Maine Tower
33 avenue du Maine - BP 154
75755 Paris Cedex 15
To ask a question about the process:
Email: secretariat@cnoa.com
Telephone: 01 56 58 67 00
The file sent by post must contain the following documents:
- Copy of diploma, certificate or other title of architect
- Declaration of the specified project, including the location, name and contact details of the developer, estimated time for completion of the project, amount of work
- Where applicable, proof of successful completion of a competition
- Certificate proving that the applicant has taken out insurance covering his professional liability under French law
- Copy of a valid ID
FYI
For more information on the authorization to carry out a specific project, you can consult the dedicated document.
Before being able to practice the profession of architect, it is mandatory to register with the Regional Council of the Order of Architects.
The Conseil régional de l'ordre maintains the Tableau de l'ordre, which is the directory of architects and architectural businesses entitled to practice in France. Once registered, the architect has the right to practice throughout the national territory.
Exception: the architect who is a national ofEU or theEEE who wishes to practice in France temporary or occasional (freedom to provide services - LPS) must only make a statement to the regional council of the order of architects.
General case
Registration is made with the Regional Council of the Order of Architects of the place where the architect establishes his professional home.
Rules and regulations The architect who registers with the Order of Architects, must comply with the Code of Ethics of Architects, the rules governing the profession of architect, the Rules of the Order of Architects and have professional insurance.
The application for registration shall be submitted to the Regional Council of the Order concerned or sent by registered mail with a request for notice of receipt:
Subscribe to the Order of Architects
Please note
When the architect exercises in a architectural business, the latter must also register with the Regional Council of the order of the place of its registered office.
The Regional Council of the Order sends a written acknowledgement of receipt and indicates the deadlines and remedies. The silence of the Regional Council of the Order for 2 months means that the application for registration is refused.
The Regional Council's decision to refuse registration is sent to the applicant by registered letter with AR. It shall specify the time limit and the detailed rules for the appeal.
The decision to refuse registration may be appealed to the Minister responsible for culture within 30 days of the date of notification of the refusal decision. Recourse is made via the following online approach:
The Ministry of Culture has a two-month period to decide.
The silence of the Ministry of Culture is tantamount to a rejection decision.
For more information, see the ministry of culture page.
FYI
This appeal is mandatory before going to the administrative court.
Once registered, the architect is liable for an annual fee calculated according to a scale established each year by the National Council of the Order of Architects.
The amount of the contribution is flat rate.
The amount depends on the number of associated architects. To determine the amount of the contribution, refer to the following contribution schedule:
2024 contributions for architects and architectural businesses to the order of architects
National Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
Freedom to provide services (LPS)
The architect who is a national of theEU or theEEE wishing to practice in France must make a statement freedom to provide services to the regional council of the Order.
Architect: declare a freedom to provide services
An acknowledgement of receipt shall be sent after verification of the documents.
The Council of the Order of Architects shall declare registration of the provision of services within 1 month of receipt of the complete file.
On receipt of the official notification of registration, the architect may begin to practice in France.
FYI
Registration on the Order’s board allows you to practice the profession and to wear the protected title of “architect”.
Indeed, this title is reserved only for natural persons registered in a regional table of the Order of Architects. The title of business of architecture is reserved for businesses listed in the Order's table.
Exercise
We present the obligations and procedures to be completed for the liberal exercise.
Step-by-step approach
The architect may carry out his activities in one of the following ways:
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Individual business liberal
The architect exercises his profession in his own name and therefore creates a individual business VID (EI).
He may choose the status of micro-entrepreneur and be subject to the tax and social security system of the micro-entrepreneur. However, this regime is not recommended for the activity of architect, as the revenues are capped at €77,700. Furthermore, the micro-entrepreneurial scheme prevents deduction of expenses professional. In addition, the architect must take out professional and ten-year insurance, which can be a problem in micro-companies.
Business
Business Shapes
An architectural business has the right to exercise only architectural or spatial planning tasks (city planning, interior design, museography, scenography, etc.). It may not mention in its statutes, even as an annex, any commercial activity (property promotion, purchase and sale of materials or decorative objects, etc.) or construction.
The architectural business may take one of the following legal forms:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Public limited company (SA)
- Simplified Action business (SAS)
- Professional Civil business (PCS)
- Architects' liberal practice business (SEL): allows members of the liberal professions to carry out their activity in the form of capital businesses. The forms of SEL are as follows:
- SELARL (business of liberal practice with limited liability) and SELARLU (business of liberal practice with single-person limited liability)
- SELAFA (anonymous liberal exercise business)
- SELAS (simplified liberal share business) and SELASU (single-person simplified liberal share business)
- SELCA (Liberal limited partnership business)
- SPFPL (business of financial interests of professional architects) SPFPLs take the form of SA, SARL, SAS, or limited partnerships. The capital and voting rights of an SPFPL must be held at more than 50% by persons who exercise one of the professions exercised by the business or companies in respect of which the holding has been acquired.
- Cooperative Production business (SCOP)
The business must first register with the regional order of architects of the place of its registered office before registering with the company formalities office.
Please note
The architect natural person is associate or salaried worker architectural business.
If he is an associate architect or an employed architect, he must also register in a personal capacity with the regional order of architects. He may exercise his profession outside the business only if the statutes so provide or if he has obtained the written agreement of the partners of the architectural business.
Specificities of architectural businesses
There are a number of specific rules concerning the share capital of architectural businesses:
- More than half of the capital and voting rights must be held by one or more individual architects or by architectural businesses.
- In businesses with multiple partners, a single architect may own more than 50% capital.
- Associated legal entities which are not architectural businesses may not hold more than 25% share capital and voting rights. In businesses of the self-employed, associated legal entities which are not architectural businesses may not hold more than 49%share capital and voting rights.
In addition, the accession of a new member presupposes the prior approval of the general meeting of members acting by a two-thirds majority.
Please note
The businesses of architecture must communicate each year to the regional council of the Order the list of their partners and the allocation of voting rights and capital, as well as any modification of these elements.
Liberal contributor
The architect may work as a liberal collaborator in an individual firm or in an architectural business.
The status of liberal collaborator allows young architects to prepare for the exercise of their activity as self-employed, i.e. without subordinate relationship.
This status allows the young employee to be integrated as a partner in the host organization with a view to a gradual association or in the context of the succession of a professional at the end of his career.
In order to claim the status of liberal employee, the person concerned must comply with the following conditions:
- Be self-employed
- To practice his profession independently, without any link of subordination, with another architect, natural or legal person
- Benefit from a contract of liberal collaboration. It must be drawn up in writing and must contain a number of mandatory particulars.
Please note
The Order of Architects proposes a model contract of liberal collaboration for a fixed or indefinite period :
Model contract of liberal collaboration for an architect for a fixed or indefinite period
It also proposes a model contract of liberal collaboration for a specific operation defined (for example, building construction):
Liberal collaboration contract template for a specific operation
Employee
The architect is here employed by an architect's business, a business of collective interest in rural housing (SICAHR) or an individual contractor registered in the order. An employed architect shall enjoy the status of a titled architect in his employment contract. Nevertheless, registration in the Order is compulsory even if the professional acts are performed on behalf of the business and it is the business that takes out the insurance.
FYI
An employee of an architectural business may work as a prime contractor. To do this, he does not need to register on the board of the Order of Architects.
Official or public official
The architect may act as an official (e.g., architect of historic monuments) or a public official. The official or public official must be registered in the regional register of the Order of Architects and comply with the rules on cumulation of activities.
An architect who is a full-time civil servant or public servant may, on an individual basis, carry out design or project management tasks on behalf of public authorities other than those employing him or for the benefit of private persons. In this case, he must obtain, before each mission, a written authorization from the hierarchical authority to which he reports.
FYI
To find out the rules for the accumulation of the architect civil servant or public official, you can consult the following document:
Rights and obligations of civil servants and public servants with regard to the cumulation of activities
National Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
Once the architect has received a positive response from the regional order to register, the architect or business of architecture must register with the company formalities office:
Please note
The architect must register with the regional order of architects place of professional residence or of the place of registered office for a business
To register individually with the Council of the Order of Architects
Order of Architects
Pour en savoir plus
Every person listed in the table is required to be covered by ten-year and occupational civil insurance (CPR). The insurance obligation shall apply to the following persons:
- Architect practicing in a liberal capacity
- Architect associate architecture business
- Business of architecture.
L'professional indemnity insurance (CPR)concerns the architect or architectural business who is liable for damage caused to others by his activity.
Theten-year insurance is mandatory, especially for architects and architectural businesses. Protects the architect or architecture business of construction defect damage or a hidden defect that jeopardizes the solidity of a work. It applies for 10 years.
The certificate of insurance must be transmitted to the regional council of the order, on which the architect or business depends, no later than 31 March of the year. The production of this certificate is essential since it is a condition for maintaining the order of the architects.
The architect who does not produce insurance may be suspended from the board by the regional council.
FYI
The architect who exercises as salaried worker is not required to take out insurance. It is up to the employer to take out insurance for his employees for acts carried out in connection with their professional activity.
The profession of architect requires compliance with the code of ethics of architects. It specifies the general rules of the profession and the rules specific to each mode of practice.
It defines the mission of the architect and the professional duties from the architect to the customers (written contract, rules on the remuneration of the architect, etc.) but also towards the other architects and backwards the order of architects. If a professional does not comply with this code, he may be sanctioned by the Regional Disciplinary Chamber, which exercises disciplinary powers.
This chamber may be referred by the Regional Council of the Order of Architects, by the Prefect, by the public prosecutor or at the request of a client, partner or architect.
The architect listed on the Order has a training requirement of 20 hours per year with recognized organizations.
To find out which training organizations provide training, you can visit the website of the Interprofessional Liberal Fund (IPLF)
IFF-PL website
Interprofessional Fund for the Training of Liberal Professionals (IFF PL)
Pour en savoir plus
The architect is also responsible for statement annual of continuing training. He declares, in his personal space accessible on the website of the Order of Architects, the training activities which he has taken, by 31 March each year.
Each declaration shall be accompanied by the necessary supporting documents attesting to its participation in the training activities. If the architect has not been able to complete his training, he must produce exemptions (in case of sick leave of more than 28 days, maternity leave, parenthood, etc.).
The architect who has fulfilled his training obligation may download an annual training declaration certificate stating that the training obligation has been fulfilled.
FYI
For more information on architect training, see:
Registration in the Order of Architects shall entail the following obligations:
- Declare and justify to the Regional Council the selected exercise mode and any change who is involved in the professional activity
- To send before 31 March each year to the Regional Council thecertificate of professional insurance
- Declare links of personal or professional interest (family ties or financial ties with workers on site, for example) at the Regional Council of the Order
- Declare on the national website of the Order of Architects applications for building permits and development permitsprior to their deposit
- Declare continuing trainingbefore 31 march each year, on the national site of the order of architects
- Pay the levy to the order of architects before 31 March each year.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Regional Order of Architects
National Council of the Order of Architects (CNOA), Ministry of Culture
Montparnasse Maine Tower
33 avenue du Maine - BP 154
75755 Paris Cedex 15
To ask a question about the process:
Email: secretariat@cnoa.com
Telephone: 01 56 58 67 00
Profession of architect
Organization of the profession of architect
Cumulation of the design mission and project management of architects, civil servants or employees of the State or public authorities
Recognition of professional qualifications
Exercise by the architect of the prime contractor in his own name
Recognition of professional qualifications for the profession of architect
Document template
National Order of Architects
National Order of Architects
National Institute of Applied Sciences (Strasbourg)
Ministry of Culture and Communication
Ministry of Culture and Communication
National Order of Architects
Order of Architects
Order of Architects
National Order of Architects
National Order of Architects
Order of Architects
Order of Architects