Overall responsibility for operation of the APEC Architect Register rests with a Central Council composed of nominees of independent Monitoring Committees established for this purpose in each participating economy, and authorised by the Central Council to carry out its functions. Policies governing the operation of the APEC Architect Register and strategies adopted for its implementation are determined jointly by the representatives of participating economies appointed to the Central Council.

The APEC Architect Register is divided into sections, each administered by the Monitoring Committee of a participating economy, for the enrolment of architects registered/licensed in that economy who meet APEC Architect criteria. Monitoring Committees are responsible for the management of their respective sections of the Register on behalf of the Central Council.

The Central Council has ultimate responsibility for all matters relating to the APEC Architect framework. The Council comprises at least one representative appointed by the Monitoring Committee of each economy authorised to operate a section of the Register. Non-authorised economies may also be invited to attend Council meetings as non-voting observers. The Central Council’s primary duty is to decide the standards and criteria required for registration as an APEC Architect and to establish operational procedures for management of the APEC Architect Register. These are reviewed periodically by the Council to ensure their continued relevance to the practice of architecture within the APEC region and the effectiveness of the systems employed to assess them. The Council is responsible for the authorisation of Monitoring Committees to maintain a section of the Register and for subsequent review of their continued conformance with APEC Architect registration criteria.

Effective communication with relevant authorities in participating economies, architects and consumers alike, is essential for successful operation of the APEC Architect Register. The provision of information on its objectives and achievements, and promotion of the role it plays in facilitating the mobility of architects within the region are also important functions of the Central Council.

Each participating economy is required to establish a Monitoring Committee to take responsibility for administration of the APEC Architect framework in that economy, after receiving authorisation by the Central Council to do so. Monitoring Committees act with delegated authority from the Central Council to implement its policies and carry out it duties.

The primary duty of a Monitoring Committee is to operate a section of the APEC Architect Register for the enrolment of APEC Architects registered/licensed in that economy. It must confirm that candidates for APEC Architect registration have complied with criteria adopted by the Central Council and assess the professional practice experience they have obtained as registered/licensed architects. Each Monitoring Committee is also responsible for ensuring the continued maintenance of required standards.

Monitoring Committees are the constituent bodies of the Central Council. They must nominate one or more representatives to the Council, with each Monitoring Committee entitled to one vote. They are called upon to contribute from time to time to the administrative and review functions of the Central Council and generally to act as centres of information on all APEC Architect matters, and to promote its purposes.

The decisions taken by the Central Council are reached by consensus and are not binding on the regulatory authority of any participating economy.