Training credits for architects

Training credits for architects: why are they so important?

Continuing education has come into force, as for other professional categories, also for architects. For almost 4 years now (precisely since 15 December 2016) the CNAPPC, the National Council of Architects, Planners, Landscapers and Conservationists, has issued the guidelines for mandatory professional updating and development for all professionals registered in the register of architects.
Every three years, architects must accumulate 60 professional training credits, of which at least 12, mandatorily, from professional development and updating activities on the topics of ethics and professional disciplines. The training obligation starts from January 1st of the year following the first registration with the order.
The training and refresher activities are aimed at:

• safeguard the interests of the community and the expectations of clients;
• protect architectural quality by refining the technical and professional skills of both employees and freelancers;
• to advance both the freelancer and the employee in the study and cultural, technical and scientific deepening for a quality professional practice;
• make professional development and updating activities accessible to all while trying to contain their costs.

Although it is recommended for all members of the register and is essential for the continuation of work, continuing education is not mandatory for members with more than twenty years in the register and over 70 years of age.
There are also other cases in which it is possible to request exemption from the activity:

• maternity, paternity and adoption (the training obligation in these cases is reduced by 20 CFP, of which 4 for ethics and professional disciplines);
• serious illness or injury (in the event that it causes an interruption of activity of at least six consecutive months);
• full-time university professors (whether full, associate or research);
• members who do not practice the profession, provided that their inactivity lasts for three consecutive years;
• impediment resulting from force majeure (exceptional situations which must in any case be duly documented).

What happens if you fail to obtain 60 training credits?
Professionals registered in the register who do not obtain the necessary number of training credits at the end of the three-year period are punishable by two different sanctions:

• censorship;
• Suspension.

Censorship is applied when the lack of credits is equal to or less than 12 CFP, it is a formal declaration in which the non-compliance is notified.
Suspension, on the other hand, applies in the case in which the lack is greater than 12 CFP and entails for the defaulting architect a cessation of professional practice whose duration is proportional to the number of missing credits.

How to get professional training credits?
Take GoPillar Academy courses certified by CNAPPC to get the credits you need!
For you, dear Archweb reader, a 60% discount awaits you using the code ARCHWEBCREDIT.
What are you waiting for?  You can find all the courses at the following link.