Free Practice Questions for PAC Architect Registration

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Key Facts: PAC Architect Registration Exam

2 years

Minimum approved post-qualification experience

PAC Act 2011, section 19(1)(c)

About 45 minutes

Registration Board oral interview

PAC Registration Procedures 2023, 3.6.1

15 years

Minimum experience for Registration Board members

PAC Act 2011, section 9(3)(a)

150 m²

Floor area above which plans must be drawn and signed by a professional architect

Construction Industry Authority Act 2023, section 16(2)

MUR 2,000 + MUR 5,000

Processing fee plus registration fee

PAC registration page and Notice of Revision of Fees

MUR 6,000

Annual fee

PAC registration page and Notice of Revision of Fees

10 hours

Minimum annual CPD for practising architects

PAC CPD Core Curriculum 2023

PAC registration is the statutory licence to practise architecture in Mauritius. After at least 2 years of logged, mentored experience, candidates face an interview of around 45 minutes in which Registration Board assessors test their understanding across five Professional Criteria: professionalism, clients and services, legal framework, practice management and building procurement. This free bank is an English multiple-choice study aid for that knowledge, not a simulation of the oral interview.

Sample PAC Architect Registration Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PAC Architect Registration exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Following the 2021 amendment to section 18(1) of the Professional Architects' Council Act 2011, who may practise architecture in Mauritius?

A.Any holder of a five-year architecture degree from a school recognised by the International Union of Architects (UIA)

B.Any firm registered as a local consultant with the Construction Industry Authority

C.Only a person registered as a professional architect with the Council

D.A trainee architect enrolled under section 23, provided the client consents in writing

Explanation: Section 18(1), as replaced with effect from 1 October 2021, provides that no person shall practise architecture in Mauritius unless he is a professional architect, meaning a person registered under section 19. 'Practise architecture' covers architectural services for the planning, design or supervision of building construction, including the preparation of architectural bidding documents.

2A developer asks a professional architect to sign and stamp plans for a 400 m² house that were drawn by an unregistered draughtsman. The architect neither designed nor supervised them. Under Part I, paragraph 9 of the PAC Code of Practice, what should the architect do?

A.Refuse to sign or stamp the plans, because they were not designed or supervised by the architect

B.Sign them after checking that they comply with the minimum building standards

C.Sign them, because plans for a building over 150 m² must carry a professional architect's signature

D.Stamp them, provided the draughtsman is also named as author on the title block

Explanation: Paragraph 9 of Part I prohibits a professional architect from affixing a signature or stamp to drawings, plans or specifications that the architect did not design or supervise, whether or not they are for a Building and Land Use Permit. The 150 m² rule sets out who must prepare the plans. It does not let an architect sign someone else's work.

3What is the minimum age for registration as a professional architect under section 19(1)(a) of the PAC Act 2011?

A.18

B.20

C.25

D.21

Explanation: Section 19(1)(a)(ii) requires the applicant to satisfy the Council that he has attained the age of 21. The same paragraph also requires good character, no conviction for fraud or dishonesty in any country, no deregistration for misconduct, and no mental impairment likely to hamper the discharge of his duties.

4Under section 9 of the PAC Act 2011, how is the Registration Board that assists the Council with registration applications composed?

A.A chairperson and 2 assessors, each with at least 10 years' post-registration experience

B.A chairperson and 2 assessors, all professional architects of at least 15 years' standing

C.A President who is a barrister of at least 10 years' standing, sitting with 2 architect assessors

D.Five professional architects elected by all registered architects for a 2-year term

Explanation: Section 9(2) and (3) provide for a chairperson and 2 assessors appointed by the Council. All three must be professional architects with at least 15 years' experience as professional architects, of good character, and without any conviction for fraud or dishonesty. The PAC's January 2026 call for Registration Board members for 2026–2028 repeats these criteria.

5How much approved post-qualification experience must an applicant show before registration as a professional architect?

A.At least 12 months

B.At least 18 months

C.At least 2 years

D.At least 3 years

Explanation: Section 19(1)(c) requires the applicant to satisfy the Council of at least 2 years' approved post-qualification experience, and section 19(2)(b)(iii) requires evidence of it with the application. The PAC records this experience in the Trainee Architect's Log Book, where the work placement must last at least 2 years.

6An architect is invited to design a private clinic for a company in which the architect's spouse holds a 40% shareholding. What does Part III, paragraph 10 of the PAC Code of Practice require?

A.Disclose it to the client, owner or contractor and ensure it compromises neither their interests nor impartial judgment

B.Decline the commission, because the Code bars any appointment in which a spouse or relative holds a financial interest in the client

C.Disclose the shareholding only if the client asks directly about related-party interests during the appointment

D.Record the shareholding in the practice's internal register; no disclosure is needed if the fee is at market rate

Explanation: Paragraph 10(1) requires every professional architect to disclose to a client, owner or contractor every known circumstance that may be construed as creating a conflict of interest. Paragraph 10(2) then requires the architect to ensure that the conflict does not compromise their legitimate interests or the architect's duty to judge contract performance by others impartially.

7Under Part I, paragraph 11 of the PAC Code of Practice, which professional architects are not required to hold a professional indemnity insurance policy?

A.Architects whose practice is incorporated as a private company

B.Architects who design only buildings of 150 m² or less

C.Architects in their first 2 years after registration

D.Architects appointed by the Public Service Commission

Explanation: Paragraph 11 requires every professional architect, other than one appointed by the Public Service Commission, to have a professional indemnity insurance policy. The PAC Model Agreement also asks the parties to state the project's cover amount, per event and in aggregate, in accordance with the 2016 Code of Practice Regulations.

8A curtain-walling supplier offers a professional architect a 5% rebate on products the architect specifies for a client's office building. The client will not be told. Which PAC Code of Practice rule makes accepting the rebate improper?

A.The rule that architects must, as appropriate, promote the allied arts and contribute to the development and betterment of the building industry

B.The rule that an architect in private practice is remunerated solely according to the fees and benefits in the written agreement of engagement

C.The rule that an architect offering services as an independent consultant must not quote a fee without receiving an invitation

D.The rule that an architect must notify another architect who already holds an appointment on the same project

Explanation: Part III, paragraph 7 provides that every professional architect, other than one appointed by the Public Service Commission, shall be remunerated solely according to the fees and benefits specified in the written agreement of engagement or employment. A hidden supplier rebate is remuneration outside that agreement and also creates a conflict of interest that paragraph 10 would require to be disclosed. Secret commissions may also raise corruption issues, now investigated by the Financial Crimes Commission that replaced ICAC under the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023.

9A Professional Conduct Committee reports that a charge against an architect in private practice has been proved. Under section 32(4)(a) of the PAC Act, what may the Council do?

A.Impose a fine of up to 50,000 rupees on the architect and suspend the architect from practising for up to 5 years

B.Only give the architect a warning or a severe warning, since the Council cannot suspend a registered architect

C.Reprimand or severely reprimand the architect, suspend them for up to 2 years, or deregister them

D.Apply whichever sanction the Professional Conduct Committee recommended in its report to the Council

Explanation: Section 32(4)(a) lets the Council administer a reprimand or severe reprimand, suspend the architect from practising for a period not exceeding 2 years, or deregister the architect. Under section 33(2), a suspension or deregistration is published in the Gazette and in 2 daily newspapers.

10A client asks an architect to take over a house project because the client has fallen out with the architect currently appointed. Under Part V, paragraph 8 of the PAC Code of Practice, what must the new architect do?

A.Notify the architect who holds the current appointment for the same project

B.Obtain the current architect's written consent before accepting

C.Accept only after the client proves that the current architect's fees are paid

D.Take no action, because the client alone decides whom to appoint

Explanation: Paragraph 8 requires an architect approached for a project, who knows or can reasonably find out that another professional architect has a current appointment with the same client for it, to notify that other architect. Paragraph 5 separately forbids any attempt to supplant another architect from an appointment.

About the PAC Architect Registration Exam

Registration with the Professional Architects' Council is mandatory to practise architecture in Mauritius under section 18(1) of the Professional Architects' Council Act 2011, and section 45 makes it an offence for unregistered persons to use titles such as 'Architect'. Applicants need a recognised 5-year architecture qualification and at least 2 years' approved post-qualification experience. They submit their Trainee Architect's Log Book and portfolio and then attend an oral interview with the Registration Board. OpenExamPrep's questions are independent multiple-choice practice, not an official PAC paper.

Exam sponsor: Professional Architects' Council (PAC), Mauritius. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Application to the Registrar with qualifications, the Trainee Architect's Log Book, testimonials and portfolio. The Registration Board (a chairperson and 2 assessors under section 9 of the PAC Act) then interviews the candidate orally for around 45 minutes on the supporting material against the five Professional Criteria at Registration. The assessors recommend a pass or fail to the Council, and on a fail they recommend a period of further professional experience before re-interview.

Time Limit

About 45 minutes (oral interview)

Passing Score

Pass/fail: the assessors recommend a pass when the candidate's oral answers show the supporting material comes from sufficient understanding of all relevant matters; the Council approves the result

Exam / Certification Fees

MUR 2,000 processing fee on application + MUR 5,000 registration fee on approval (MUR 6,000 annual fee thereafter)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Professional Architects' Council (PAC), Mauritius: official exam information

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published

Professionalism

Professional ethics, obligations to society and the environment, regulation, conduct and discipline, integrity, communication, negotiation, autonomous working and continuing professional development.

Not published

Clients, Users and Delivery of Services

Client relationships, briefing and programming, architects' contracts and terms of engagement, stakeholder obligations, design-team coordination, fees and invoicing, intellectual property, duty of care and professional indemnity.

Not published

Legal Framework and Processes

Mauritian legal system and civil liability, planning and development processes, building regulations and standards, land law, health and safety, statutory authorities, and environmental, historic-building and accessibility legislation.

Not published

Practice and Management

Practice structures and legal status, employment law, practice finance and taxation, marketing and fee calculation, resource management and job costing, quality management and administration, staff development and leadership.

Not published

Building Procurement

Procurement methods including public projects, tendering, forms of contract and design responsibility, duties of the lead consultant and contract administrator, site processes, payment and completion, claims and dispute resolution.

Preparing for the PAC Architect Registration Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail: the assessors recommend a pass when the candidate's oral answers show the supporting material comes from sufficient understanding of all relevant matters; the Council approves the result
Assessment: Application to the Registrar with qualifications, the Trainee Architect's Log Book, testimonials and portfolio. The Registration Board (a chairperson and 2 assessors under section 9 of the PAC Act) then interviews the candidate orally for around 45 minutes on the supporting material against the five Professional Criteria at Registration. The assessors recommend a pass or fail to the Council, and on a fail they recommend a period of further professional experience before re-interview.
Time limit: About 45 minutes (oral interview)
Exam / certification fees: MUR 2,000 processing fee on application + MUR 5,000 registration fee on approval (MUR 6,000 annual fee thereafter) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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PAC Architect Registration: Suggested Study Strategy

1Read the Professional Architects' Council Act 2011 as amended (including the 2021 changes and the section 44 judicial-review route in force from 5 January 2026) and the Code of Practice Regulations 2016 closely.

2Work through the five Professional Criteria at Registration in the PAC Registration Procedures 2023 and prepare to explain and justify your own logbook projects against each one.

3Know the PAC Outline Plan of Work 2023 stages A to C and where the Outline Planning Permission and Building and Land Use Permit applications fall.

4Study the Construction Industry Authority Act 2023, which replaced the Building Control Act 2012 on 1 April 2024, and the permit, inspection and occupation-certificate rules in sections 117 to 120C of the Local Government Act 2011.

5Review builders' civil liability under Articles 1792 and 2281 of the Code Civil Mauricien, delictual liability under Articles 1382–1383, and the Environment Act 2024 PER, EIA and SEA licence regime.

6Practise fee, VAT, retention and liquidated-damages calculations using the PAC Model Agreement for Architectural Services structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is registration with the PAC mandatory to practise architecture in Mauritius?

Yes. Section 18(1) of the Professional Architects' Council Act 2011 provides that no person shall practise architecture in Mauritius unless he is a professional architect, and section 45 makes it an offence for others to use titles such as 'Architect' or 'Consulting Architect'. Under section 16(2) of the Construction Industry Authority Act 2023, plans for buildings over 150 m² must be drawn up and signed by a professional architect.

What does the PAC registration assessment involve?

Under the PAC Registration Procedures 2023, candidates apply with their qualifications, Trainee Architect's Log Book, testimonials and portfolio. Registration Board assessors then question them orally for around 45 minutes to judge whether the supporting material comes from sufficient understanding of the five Professional Criteria at Registration. No written paper is published.

Who sits on the PAC Registration Board?

Under section 9 of the PAC Act, the Registration Board consists of a chairperson and 2 assessors appointed by the Council. All must be professional architects with at least 15 years' experience as professional architects, of good character and without convictions for fraud or dishonesty.

What are the academic and experience requirements?

Section 19 requires a degree or equivalent qualification in architecture after at least 5 years' full-time study, from an institution recognised by the UIA under the UNESCO/UIA Charter or by the competent authority of the awarding country, and approved by the Council. The Registration Procedures also accept Part 1 plus Part 2 qualifications. Applicants need at least 2 years' approved post-qualification experience and must be at least 21.

What happens if a candidate fails the interview?

If the answers are insufficient, the assessors recommend a fail to the Council and a period of additional professional practice experience. The candidate may apply to be re-interviewed at the end of that period. Candidates are normally told the Council's decision in writing within 4 weeks of the interview.

Is professional indemnity insurance required for architects in Mauritius?

Yes. Part I, paragraph 11 of the Professional Architects' Council (Code of Practice) Regulations 2016 requires every professional architect, other than one appointed by the Public Service Commission, to have a professional indemnity insurance policy.

What are the PAC registration and annual fees?

The PAC's current fees, revised for 2024 onwards, are a MUR 2,000 processing fee, a MUR 5,000 registration fee and a MUR 6,000 annual fee. Under section 21 of the PAC Act, the annual fee is due by 30 November for the following year, with a 50% surcharge if it is paid late.

Can these practice questions replace the PAC interview?

No. These are independent English multiple-choice questions by OpenExamPrep for studying the PAC Act, Code of Practice, Plan of Work, building and planning law, practice management and procurement. They are not an official PAC paper and do not replace the logbook, portfolio or oral interview.