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Rwanda Institute of Architects

Membership and licensing

Professional interns

A degree in architecture is the start. Two years of supervised practice, a professional examination, and then a licence to practise independently.

Register as an intern Find a supervising architect
A graduate architect working on a laptop

The route

From graduate to licensed architect

  1. 01

    Register

    Apply to RIA as a professional intern once you have found a supervising architect.
  2. 02

    Find a supervisor

    Choose a licensed architect or firm willing to supervise your two-year internship.
  3. 03

    Complete supervised practice

    Work on real projects for two years while your supervisor records your progress.
  4. 04

    Sit the examination

    Pass the written and oral professional examination to receive your licence.
An engineer reviewing work on a construction site

What an internship means

Registered, supervised, accountable

During your internship you are on the public register as a professional intern. You gain hands-on experience, but your supervising architect carries professional responsibility for every project you work on.

Your name and registration number do not appear on drawings as the responsible architect. That responsibility comes after you pass the professional examination and receive your licence.

What to expect

Real project experience You work on live projects under the direct responsibility of your supervising architect.
Not yet independent You may not offer architectural services alone or take professional responsibility for a design.
Towards a licence Your internship, records and examination prepare you for independent practice.
Register Find a supervisor During internship Completing

Register as a professional intern

Start with the supervisor. You cannot complete your registration without one.

Register as a professional intern Find a supervising architect