If you are a student interested in the career of architect or civil engineer, and the warrant of perit, in Malta:
In Malta, the route to the professional status of perit, that is architect or civil engineer, is regulated by the Periti Act, Cap 622 of the Laws of Malta.
The Act defines the academic training requirements in conformity with Article 46 Para. 1 of the European Directive 2005/36/EC, for the title of architect in Europe, the minimum academic training for civil engineers, and the professional traineeship requirements.
In Malta, the academic training route envisages a six-year programme in the Faculty for the Built Environment of the University of Malta. The route starts with a one-year programme leading to the Diploma in Design Foundation Studies, followed by a three-year bachelor degree programme leading to a B.Sc.(Built Environment Studies), and then a two-year master degree programme leading to an M.Arch or an M.Eng.
In order to be admitted to the diploma year, you would require Matriculated status, as defined in the regulations of the University of Malta. Admission to the BSc programme requires successful completion of the diploma programme, together with A-level passes (at Grade C or higher) in Mathematics and Physics, plus Intermediate passes from a list of subjects found here.
Admission to the respective master degree programme requires successful completion of the bachelor degree, comprising successful completion of a specific Schedule of study-unit credits. The elective system is designed so that candidates who successfully complete the 3-year B.Sc., and the 2-year M.Arch programmes, fulfill the training requirements outlined in Article 46 Para. 1 of the European Directive 2005/36/EC. Those who successfully complete the 3-year B.Sc. and the 2-year M.Eng. programme will fulfill engineering training requirements recognized across Europe by organisations such as FEANI, (with the award of the title of Eur.Ing.).
At the moment, the M.Arch degree is offered via three different programmes, Architectural Design, Architecture and Conservation Studies, and Architecture and Urban Studies; whilst the M.Eng. degree is offered via three other different programmes, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering and, Engineering and Management.
Once you complete the academic training programme, you will be required to undertake a period of professional traineeship of at least one year’s duration. Training is undertaken under the supervision of a warranted perit. You will be required to keep a log-book of the activities undertaken during this training period, which is designed to cover various aspects of the profession. At the end of the traineeship period, you will be examined by the Periti Warranting Board, and, if successful, admitted to the Warrant of Perit.
To apply for a warrant online, click here for the Official Application.
If you are a citizen of an EU Member state, and an architect or civil engineer in your country:
European legislation defines two ways by which a professional architect or civil engineer, citizen of an EU member state, can practice the respective profession in Malta.
One of the fundamental tenets of the European Union is the freedom of professionals to establish themselves in any member state. This requires the mutual recognition of professional qualifications by the member states. The Periti Act has transposed the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU. Article 46 (Section 8 of Chap. III) defines the minimum academic studies and professional training requirements for recognition. Annex V lists the academic titles awarded by Universities, which have notified the relative courses to the other member states, and which courses have been deemed as in conformity with the requirements of the Directive; as well as any professional certificates (warrants) issued by the respective Member states. Annex VI lists the lists of formal qualifications that benefit from acquired rights. The professionals, whose studies and professional status are listed in Annex V and Annex VI, benefit from automatic recognition as architect in every member state, including Malta.
The recognition of civil engineers is based on Chapter I of Title III. The process is referred to as the General System for the Recognition of Evidence of Training. (The General System may also be used for architects, whose formal qualifications are not listed in Annex V). In general, the access to the regulated profession of civil engineer depends on evidence that the qualifications held entitle the holder to practice this profession in the home state. In other words, if a professional has been recognized as qualified to practice as a civil engineer in his home state, then he/she shall be entitled to practice the same profession in Malta. If there are significant differences between the training undertaken in the home state compared to the training required to be undertaken in Malta, then the applicant must be given the opportunity to undertake compensation measures, such as an aptitude test, or an adaptation period of up to three years. If such differences are too large to be addressed properly by compensation measures, the applicant may be granted “partial access” to the profession, meaning that he/she can practice only that part of the profession for which the professional is fully qualified to undertake in the home member state.
If you are a professional architect or civil engineer wishing to establish yourself in Malta, you should submit an application to the local designated authority, competent to receive applications and take decisions on applications for recognition, that is, the Periti Warranting Board. This link gives information about the way such an application should be submitted and the process to be expected. You can apply online on the Official Application page.
A second important tenet is the freedom to offer services across borders. This is regulated by Directive 2006/123/EC, also transposed in the Periti Act. Consequent to this Directive, a professional architect or civil engineer has the right to offer professional services, on a temporary and occasional basis, in a member state, without the need for establishment in such state, and without undertaking the procedures that are prescribed for the formal recognition of professional qualifications.
If you wish to offer professional services in this way, you are still required to advise the Periti Warranting Board in advance, and to submit the information as is prescribed in the law.