So You Want to Be an Architect in the Philippines? Here's What You Need To Know
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    • Dec 7, 2022
    • 3 min read

So You Want to Be an Architect in the Philippines? Here's What You Need To Know



“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe you have written down “Architect” since you can remember, which is what struck you for the years to come.


Well, now either you are in your Senior High School deciding on a strand to take or an incoming first-year student who has yet to fill up the course you’ll study for the following years. Or maybe you are already an architecture student who wants to read articles like this, but here are the most common questions and the essential information you’ll need to know to become an architect in the Philippines.


How many years does it take to become an architect in the Philippines?


Short answer, seven years. However, those seven years are composed of 5 years getting your undergraduate bachelor’s degree from your school of choice, and the other 2 is your apprenticeship from architectural firms, where you will be hands-on in providing support to the senior architects.


Although some schools offer trimesters, which could also mean that you can take the degree for four years, most schools only offer two semesters per year.


After earning your bachelor’s degree, then that’s the time when you can be an apprentice. Being an apprentice will require you a total of hours worth two years to be qualified for the next step, that is, the licensure examination.


What are the top Architect Schools in the Philippines?


According to the recent June 2022 Architect Licensure Examination Results, here are the top 5 performing architect schools in the Philippines.


The Ateneo de Davao University is in the fifth rank, with 84.21% percentage passing. Next fourth is the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Main (Sta. Mesa), with 84.85%. The third is Mapua University (Manila), with 85.96%. Second is the University of Santo Tomas, with 88.24%, and the first in rank of the top-performing architectural schools in the Philippines is the University of the Philippines Diliman, with 97.01% of passers.


Well, if you’re looking for an architecture school to enroll in, you might consider these institutions.



How to be a licensed architect in the Philippines?


According to Republic Act No. 9266, or The Architecture Act of 2004, all aspiring architects should take a licensure examination given by the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture in places and dates designated by the Professional Regulation Commission.


And in Section 13, here are the qualifications of an applicant for the licensure examination:


(a) He/she is a Filipino citizen or a citizen of a foreign country qualified to take the examination as provided for in this Act;


(b) He/she is of good moral character;


(c) He/she is a holder of a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture conferred by a school, college, academy or institute duly recognized and/or accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and in addition has a specific record of at least two (2) years or equivalent of diversified architectural experience duly certified by a registered/licensed architect…


(d) He/she has not been convicted of any criminal offensive involving moral turpitude.


Also, here are the subjects covered (Section 14) for the examination, however, when the need arises, the Board could revise either to add or exclude some depending on need of the profession at the moment :


(1) History and Theory of Architecture; Principles of Planning and Architectural Practice;


(2) Structural Design, Building Materials, and Architectural Specifications, and Methods of Construction and Utilities;


(3) Urban Design and Architectural Interiors; and


(4) Architectural Design and Site Planning.


Finally, to be one of the passers and be a licensed architect, according to Section 15, the examinee should have a weighted general average of at least 70%, with no grade below 50% in any subject.


Becoming an architect in the Philippines requires more than just talent and creativity. It also takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance.


It is necessary for you to have a strong foundation in the basic principles of architecture and be passionate about your work. The best way to achieve your dreams is to start by getting the essential information you need to know.


With hard work and determination, you can become one of the many innovative and resourceful Filipino architects.


Read more about the Architecture Act of 2004 here!


For more inspiration, here are some Emerging Filipino Architects today:

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