The 9.8% rise means architects will pay £20 more than last year
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has increased the annual retention fee for 2026 from £205 to £225, a rise of 9.8%.
The fee had already climbed by 72%, from £119 to £205, between 2021 and 2025.
Recent increases have sparked criticism of the regulator’s expenditure, with former ARB board member Ian Salisbury pointing to the board’s legal spend, which rose from £982,254 in 2019 to £1,532,957 in 2023, and arguing that architects are being forced to bankroll reforms they neither chose nor fully support.
The ARB has previously said the increase is necessary to ensure the organisation can continue to deliver its programme of work, including updates to professional standards, digital transformation, and the introduction of a new education and training framework.
The board has stated that its activities are focused on improving public protection and maintaining confidence in the profession.
The retention fee applies to all architects on the UK Register and must be paid annually to maintain registration. Failure to pay results in removal from the Register.
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