Are tests for issuance of architecture practicing certificates eligible for oral questions in Vietnam?

1. Are tests for issuance of architecture practicing certificates eligible for oral questions in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 25 of Decree 85/2020/ND-CP stipulating program, contents and forms of tests for architecture practicing certificates as follows:

1. Vietnam Association of Architects shall design and promulgate a program and documents serving holding of tests and a set of questions after obtaining written consent from the Ministry of Construction.

2. The set of questions worth 100 points must conform to Clause 2 Article 26 of the Law on Architecture and include:

a) 10 questions on professional experience, which are worth 40 points;

b) 05 questions on legal knowledge, which are worth 20 points;

c) 05 questions on specialized knowledge, which are worth 20 points;

d) 05 questions on the code of professional conduct of practicing architects, which are worth 20 points.

3. Forms of a test for an architecture practicing certificate:

a) Individuals applying for an architecture practicing certificate for the first time shall take the test by completing a multiple choice test and oral questions. The oral test shall be conducted immediately after the result of the multiple choice test is announced. In this test, each individual is required to draw lots and then answer up to 04 questions about knowledge and application thereof to individuals’ practice of architecture in line with the set of questions mentioned in Clause 2 of this Article;

b) Individuals applying for re-issuance or renewal of their architecture practicing certificate shall take the test by completing a multiple choice test.

4. To pass the test, an individual must be awarded at least 70 points including 16 points for the legal knowledge section; for the remaining sections, such individual must be awarded at least 50% of the points specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

5. A test shall be held every 06 months or upon request depending on the actual requirements at a licensed test location. In case of failure to hold the test, it is required to notify the applicant once in writing within 15 days from receipt of the registration form.

6. Any individual that wishes to register to take a test shall send a registration form according to the form provided in the Appendix III hereof together with a copy of his/her training certificate to the agency that holds the test, whether online, by post or in person.

7. An organizations or agency holding a test for architectural practicing certificates shall:

a) notify test results to individuals within 15 days after the date of the test;

b) issue certificates of test results to individuals who pass the test.

8. The test results shall be valid for up to 12 months from the date of issuance of the certificate of test results. If the certificate of test results is lost, an application for re-issuance of the certificate shall be prepared.

Thus, when you take the exam for the first time to test for an architecture practicing certificate, you will have to take the test in two forms: multiple choice test and oral questions.

2. What does application for issuance of an architecture practicing certificate in Vietnam comprise? 

According to Clause 1, Article 27 of Decree No. 85/2020/ND-CP, application for issuance of an architecture practicing certificate is as follows:

1. An application for issuance of an architecture practicing certificate includes:

a) An application form made using the form in the Appendix III hereof enclosing 02 portrait pictures (4x6 cm) of the applicant on a white background which was taken within the last 06 months;

b) University degree or diploma issued by a lawful training institution in conformity with the contents of the certificate to be issued; a degree or diploma issued by a foreign training institution must be translated into Vietnamese and notarized or certified in accordance with Vietnam’s law;

c) A decision on task assignment by an organization to the individual or a written certification provided by the legal representative of the investor of typical tasks completed by individuals in accordance with the contents declared by such individuals. The person signing the certification shall be responsible for the truthfullness of the contents he/she certifies. Regarding an independent practitioner, there must be a contract and record on commissioning of declared typical tasks that have been completed by such practitioner.

d) A legal document on residence or a work permit issued by a Vietnamese competent authority if the applicant is a foreign national;

dd) Valid results of the test that the applicant has passed;

e) The documents specified in Points b, c, d and dd of this Clause must be certified true copies or files containing color photos taken from the originals or copy presented together with their originals for comparison.

According to this Article, you need to prepare the above documents to apply for an architectural practice certificate in Vietnam.

Best Regards!