Steps to Obtain an Architectural Licence
in Canada

The following steps must be undertaken to obtain an architectural licence in Canada:

STEP ONE - Process for Assessment of Academic Qualifications

Applicants must apply to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) for certification of their academic qualifications. The following information must be submitted directly to the CACB:

1. a completed application filled in as per instructions(see http://cacb.ca to obtain a form);
2. an official Transcript of Record, or a notarized copy thereof, showing grade or standing achieved in each subject for each year of the course in architecture completed. Where an applicant has been required to complete post-secondary or other studies as an admission requirement of the School of Architecture, and Official Transcript of Record or certified true copy thereof, of those studies, must also be submitted.
3. Certified true copies of the official translation of the transcripts if the original documents are neither in French nor in English;
4. Certified true copy of the official translation of all degrees must be submitted if the originals are neither in French nor in English, even though the conferring of such degree title might appear on another document, i.e. official transcript of record.
5. University Calendar describing all programmes including architecture, undertaken by the applicant, or equivalent documentation. The University Calendar MUST be for the years you were attending the university and it must contain:
   • the description of the content of every individual course;
   • the number of hours of lectures and seminars, and the number of hours of studio spent on each course;
   • the number of terms in an academic year;
   • the number of weeks of studies per term.
6. Certified true copy of the official translation of the university calendar if the originals are neither in French nor in English, even though the conferring of such degree title might appear on another document, i.e. official transcript of record
7. List of the academic design projects completed throughout the programme in architecture, as well as a brief description of each project;
8. Portfolio of academic design. Though it is not mandatory to submit the portfolio with the initial application, it is strongly recommended to do so in order to expedite the process.
9. Check, bank draft or money order in the amount of $1,123.50 ($1050 + 7% GST) to cover the assessment fee in Canadian Funds Only payable to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. Credit cards are currently not accepted.

Compliance with the Canadian Education Standard is assessed by the CACB Assessment Committee which meets on average every four to six weeks.

The assessment process has three possible outcomes:

• a CACB certificate may be issued if the academic qualifications of an applicant meet the Canadian Education Standard;or
• further clarifications of the applicant’s academic qualifications may be required; or
• the Assessment Committee might determine that the applicant’s academic qualifications are deficient in particular subject areas; and the Committee then requests that the applicant eliminates these deficiencies by successfully completing courses approved by the CACB through recognized Canadian schools of architecture; or
• that the Assessment Committee is unable to complete the assessment based on the documentation submitted and request an interview; or
• the applicant’s academic qualifications do not meet the requirements of the Canadian Education Standard. The Applicant may be suggested to complete studies through one of the accredited Canadian University Schools of Architecture, or the RAIC Syllabus Programme.

STEP TWO - Internship

After an applicant has obtained CACB certification, he or she must find a Mentor and apply to enroll in the Internship in Architecture Program with one of the ten provincial architectural associations. Membership as an Intern or Intern Architect costs between C$75 and C$150 annually depending on the province.

The Internship in Architecture Program manual, which contains the Canadian Experience Record Book, must be obtained by each applicant. Each applicant must record work experience and satisfy the requirements of the Canadian Experience Record Book. The experience must be reviewed and accepted by the provincial / territorial association of architects. The applicant may submit experience gained outside Canada for consideration.

STEP THREE - Examination

Applicants must also successfully complete the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Examinations are administered exclusively on computers at a network of testing centres across Canada and the USA. The cost to take all nine divisions of the ARE is C$1,400 plus value added taxes (as at January 1, 2000). Applicants may begin taking the examinations after obtaining CACB certification and eligibility from the provincial architectural association.

Provincial Associations Requirements

Applicants may also be required to comply with certain other requirements (such as ongoing continuing education requirements, an oral examination, an admission course, etc.) in order to maintain Internship in Architecture membership or to become licensed or registered in certain provincial / territorial associations of architects. In order to practice architecture in a province, it may be necessary to obtain a Certificate of Practice or its equivalent. Specific requirements may be obtained from the provincial / territorial association of architects.

Once the requirements for education, experience and examination have been satisfied (together with any additional requirements that might apply within a specific province), an individual will be eligible to apply for licence or registration with the provincial architectural association. Membership costs between CAN $600 and CAN $750 annually depending on the province.

The fees, documentation and assessment process outlined above are subject to change without notice.

More detailed information may be obtained from the provincial architectural association. Applications for certification of academic qualifications may be obtained from:

The Canadian Architectural Certification Board
1508-1 Nicholas St
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7
Canada
E-mail: info@cacb.ca

This document has been endorsed by the ten provincial associations of architects.