Habilitation to exercise project management in one's own name - HMONP
To become a licensed architect - i.e., registered on the regional roll of the Ordre des Architectes - the architect must hold a license to practice, called (in France) Habilitation à l'exercice de la maîtrise d'œuvre en son nom propre (HMONP).
Admission
The HMONP is available:
- Holders of an architect's diploma (or equivalent diploma or qualification).
- Or via the validation of acquired experience (VAE) procedure
Analysis of applications
ENSA Normandie 42 ADE students each year. As a result, applications are reviewed by the HMONP Commission based on three criteria:
- Maturity of professional project and place of HMONP training in it
- Consistency of pathway with choice of MSP location
- Motivation to complete HMONP at ENSAN
The HMONP Commission has sole authority over the selection of candidates.
Candidates accepted into the program will be notified of the decision by email.
Application form: The document will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Workplace situations
What contract can I sign up for HMONP training under? Can I register as a self-employed entrepreneur?
You can enroll with a full-time fixed-term contract covering the entire duration of the MSP, i.e., 26 weeks of full-time equivalent, excluding periods of theoretical training and paid leave. To account for training time, the duration of the fixed-term employment contract may be longer.
You can register with a CDI, even if it was contracted before you applied.
You can't run your MSP as a freelancer or auto-entrepreneur.
Can I do my MSP part-time?
Yes, provided that the total duration of the contract amounts to at least 26 full-time equivalent weeks—excluding periods of theoretical training and paid leave—between the time of enrollment and the thesis defense.
Can my tutor not be a registered architect?
No, the tutor must be a registered architect with at least 5 years' experience.
Can my tutor not be the manager of the company where I'm doing my MSP?
Yes, provided they work at the facility where your MSP is taking place and meet the requirements for licensure and minimum experience.
Can I do my MSP elsewhere than in an architectural firm: BET, local authority, public or semi-public body, company ...
Yes, depending on the circumstances. Each well-reasoned application will be reviewed by the HMONP committee to ensure that the program requirements are met. In addition, the mentor must meet the criteria for registration with the professional association and have the required minimum experience. They must also be employed at the facility where the MSP is taking place.
Do HMONP training days count toward the 26 weeks of MSP?
No, theoretical training is not counted as working time. To account for training time, the duration of the fixed-term employment contract may be extended.
Can I start my MSP before the training begins?
You can start your MSP when you register in September. Please note, however, that the first training session in October will introduce you to the weekly logbook.
Validation of professional experience
How many years' experience do I need to have in order to apply for VAE (validation d'acquis professionnels)?
You can apply for VAE after a minimum of 3 years' full-time equivalent project management experience. Each VAE application must be supported by a reflective dossier analyzing your experience and covering all facets of the architect's activity. You can consult the methodological sheet dedicated to compiling a VAE application file.
Postponement and re-registration :
I went before the jury, but was disqualified. If I fail the jury. What are my options for validating?
ENSA Normandie offersENSA Normandie the opportunity to retake the exam in January of the following year. You may only retake the exam once. once in the January session of the following year. If you fail, you must restart the program. If you do not take the January retake exam, you will have to restart the program.
I've been deferred and have to produce additional work. Will I benefit from the supervision of a study director?
No. The observations of the jury that requested the catch-up will serve as a framework for your supplement.
I validated my theoretical courses at ENSA Nomandie but I failed the oral exam. What ECTS credits do I get?
If you pass the theory courses (minimum average of 10/20 in seminar evaluations), your 30 ECTS are acquired, even if you fail the oral. However, if you take more than 3 years to re-enroll, you will be required to take all the courses again (without being assessed).
I passed the theoretical courses atENSA Normandie did not attend the July exam. What are my options for re-enrolling?
If you pass the theory courses (minimum average of 10/20 in seminar evaluations), your 30 ECTS are acquired. To re-enroll, you'll need to follow the same procedures as for a first-time MSP or VAE enrolment. The only difference is that you will not be assessed for the seminars.
I completed my theoretical courses at another ENSA, but I did not obtain accreditation during the defense. What are the registration requirements for the HMONP program atENSA Normandie
If you have completed your theory courses at another ENSA and failed the exam, you must repeat the entire course. If you have validated your theory courses and can provide proof that you have obtained the corresponding ECTS credits, these will be acquired. However, as each ENSA course is specific, you will be required to attend all of them.
Submission of applications for the 2026–2027 academic year
from May 4, 2026 – 12:00 a.m. to July 17, 2026 – 8:00 a.m.
by following the procedure below:
Log on to: admission.archi.fr // Choose: ENSA-Normandie // Click on : Create a file.
In "Admission Session," select: Hmonp Session 2026-2027 // Click on: Access this session // Enter the information, then submit.
Once you receive the automated email confirming the creation of your application, log back in using your application number and your name. Fill out the various sections, then go to “Files and Attachments” to upload the required documents (the completed and signed application form, along with supporting documents in PDF and JPG formats only), and then submit.
Transmission is automatic; you will not receive an e-mail confirming that your file is complete.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee in July and again in September, provided that the available spots have not been filled by July.
Candidates accepted into the program will be notified of the decision by email.
Administrative Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year
Administrative registration will take place online via the Taïga portal from September 14, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
You will receive an email from the school's IT department to connect to the Taïga platform (only for students who are not known to Ensa, for the others you must reuse your codes).
Training fees/registration fees
The payment of the registration fees can be done preferably by credit card (secure payment paybox (no document to send), or by check or cash (the registration form Taïga with the name, first name and number of the student must be joined to the payment).
- 2026/27 For ADE students in training: Tuition: €658.
- 2026/27 For ADE students taking only the make-up defense: €39.
Objective
The objective of this training is to focus specifically on the exercise of project management and the professional responsibilities and skills associated with it.
Duration
It is carried out over a period of 12 months, consisting of 6 months of work experience (with a fixed salary), i.e. :
- 150 hours of theoretical teaching at the Ecole nationale supérieure d'architecture de Normandie
- 26 weeks full-time, minimum work experience
For applicants enrolled through VAP,ENSA Normandie authorize a reduction in training: either the ADE is exempted from the professional placement and/or all or part of the theoretical courses.
Content
This course is supervised by a teacher fromENSA Normandie a tutor at the host organization, and includes specific training sessions at the school and the completion of a reflective journal, accompanied by a professional thesis.
Theoretical training
It is organized by six workshops and five seminars at a rate of two to three days/month from October to May - structured around the following axes of reflection
- The architect's responsibility
- Regulations, standards and practices
- The design process of the architectural project
- Site management and monitoring techniques
- The production process of the urban project
Two workshops allow to verify that the expectations of the training are being built. These five training sequences address, each in its own way, the questions related to the architect's responsibility, but in a specific way, taking care to respect a logic of progression in the training. To ask, at the end of the training, the question of the responsibility with regard to the economic stakes of the project also makes it possible to establish a bond with the setting in professional situation of the candidates.
Workplace situations
The MSP begins after the protocol is signed. It takes place, subject to validation of prior learning, over the equivalent of at least 26 weeks, full-time, from October to June: it should be emphasized that the interaction - between the theoretical contributions of the school and the learning of professional practice (MSP) - is only made possible by the simultaneity of these two training modes.
General program 2025-2026
Coordinator: Isabelle Genyk de France - Co-coordinator: Guillaume Duranel
OCTOBER 15: 6-8 PM: MEETING EVENING
Theme of upcoming meeting: Invitation to ADEs and Tutors
OCTOBER 16 AND 17: WORKSHOPS 1 AND 2
Introduction to training and the general framework of the profession
NOVEMBER 12, 13 AND 14: SEMINAR 1
Architectural project production processes
DECEMBER 10, 11 AND 12: SEMINAR 2
Regulations, standards and uses
JANUARY 14, 15 & 16: SEMINAR 3
Architect's liability
FEBRUARY 11, 12 & 13: SEMINAR 4
Site management and monitoring techniques
MARCH 18, 19 AND 20: SEMINAR 5
Urban project production processes
APRIL 9 AND 10: WORKSHOPS 3 AND 4
Setting up and running an architectural business
MAY 21 AND 22: WORKSHOPS 5 AND 6
Agency strategies
JULY 6 AND 7: JURY
Validation mode
It gives rise to a defense before a jury composed of teachers, a representative of the order and members of the professional community. This is compulsory for all those enrolled (VAP, candidates who were deferred the previous year, etc.).