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1. Access and exercise of the activities of an architect The laws regulating the profession of architects are State Law. Consequently, applications for professional recognition fall into the competence of the relevant professional chambers of the 16 Federal States, the “Länder”. A useful link to the relevant competent authorities of the Länder is available here... Exercise of the profession of architect (design planning, approval planning, supervising building work during construction, supervising building) is only restricted in as much as this activity is exercised under the legally protected professional title of architect. Apart from certain civil engineers, only members of the profession holding the title of architect are entitled to draw up plans for approval of building projects and submit them for permission to the local construction authorities; this restriction to members of the profession is derived from the State Building Acts (16 different building regulations). Under the Legislation regulating the architects’ profession, the title of architect is protected. The title is awarded after registration with the architects list (registry) run by one of the chambers. Registration is normally linked to (compulsory) membership in one of the state chambers of architects. Architects from other EU countries providing services in Germany are not subject to compulsory membership. Nevertheless, in most States such provision of services must be must be notified to the local chamber of architects, according to Article 7 of Directive 2005/36/EC. Registration in the list of architects of a state chamber of architects in the Federal Republic of Germany is granted on application on production of proof of a diploma, examination certificate or other relevant evidence in the field of architecture according to Article 46, 47 and 49 of Directive 2005/36/EC and relevant practical experience of 2 years (in Saarland 3 years). 2. Fees and the law Fees are regulated by the "Feescale for architects and engineers" (Honorarordnung für Architekten und Ingenieure, HOAI, currently amended). It covers most regular services in particular areas where the fees depend on the degree of difficulty and the building costs (so-called chargeable costs) and are shown in fees tables. Further useful information referring to professional recognition is provided under this website of the European Commission, GD MARKT.
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