Website legal requirements · for architects
The word “architect” on your website.
One rule matters most: who may trade under the title.
Only a person registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) may practise or carry on business under a name, style or title containing the word “architect”. A practice may use it only if a registered person controls its architecture business and the work at every office is done or supervised by a registered person. Naval, landscape and golf-course architects are exempt.
Chris Painter, founder of ThemeSmith · checked 28 October 2026 · every rule links to its source
The rules for architects
What the rules ask of your website.
The title belongs to registered people.
No one may practise or carry on business under any name, style or title containing the word “architect” unless they are registered. On a website that covers the business name, your own title, and how you describe your team.
Law · UK · Architects Act 1997, section 20(1)
A firm may use it under a registered person’s control.
A company, firm or partnership may trade under a name containing “architect” only if its architecture business is under the control and management of a registered person (who doesn’t do the same for another firm), and in every office where it does architecture, the work is done or supervised by a registered person.
Law · UK · Architects Act 1997, section 20(3)
Three titles are exempt.
Naval architect, landscape architect and golf-course architect may be used without ARB registration.
Law · UK · Architects Act 1997, section 20(2)
Not on the list
What the rules don’t ask for.
A registration number on the site.
Section 20 is about the name you trade under; it doesn’t ask you to publish your ARB number. Showing it, or linking to the ARB register, helps a client check you.
The three rules every business has still apply.
A price shown to the public includes VAT; a limited company shows its registered name, number and office; a site that takes enquiries says how it will use them. What every UK business website must show.
Questions
What architects ask.
Can I call my business an architecture practice if I’m not registered?
Not under a name, style or title containing the word “architect”. That needs ARB registration, or for a firm, a registered person in control.
Can a landscape architect use the title without ARB registration?
Yes. The Act exempts landscape, naval and golf-course architects.
Building the site
A website for architects, with this built in.
Other trades with a rule of their own: dentists · physiotherapists · therapists and psychologists · estate agents · driving instructors · gas engineers · cafés, restaurants and caterers.