What does officially authorised and sworn mean? (Author: Amin Abdel-Kader) Architect and architect are protected professional titles in Austria and belong to the professional group of civil engineers. The use of these titles and the exercise of these activities are only permitted with state-awarded authorisation. After training and practice, the candidates take an examination to prove that they have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to practise the profession in accordance with the law. In addition to the authorisation to practise the profession, civil engineers are also granted "public trust". This means that public documents issued by them within the scope of their authorisation are regarded by the administrative authorities in the same way as documents issued by public authorities, and it is derived from the trust placed in them that the candidates are sworn in as part of the granting of their authorisation, similar to civil servants. According to ZTG § 11 (1), the oath reads: "I swear that I will comply with the laws and the regulations applicable to my sphere of activity, that I will conscientiously fulfil the duties of my profession, that I will strictly observe the required obligation of confidentiality and that I will deal with the matters entrusted to me to the best of my knowledge and belief."