Information for foreign-trained architects
(2151) Verified: 2008 09 02
Information on requirements to practise
The profession of architect is regulated in all provinces and territories in Canada. This means that, by law, no one can practise the profession of architect without a license. Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies of architects are responsible for setting the standards for entry into the profession and for issuing licenses to those who meet established standards of qualifications and practice. It is illegal to practise the profession or use the title of architect without being licensed as a full member in a provincial/territorial regulatory body.
Information on assessment of qualifications
Internationally-trained architects will need to contact the Canadian Architectural Certification Board to know how their educational qualifications would be assessed. Their address is as follows:
- Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)
- 710 - 1 Nicholas Street
- Ottawa ON K1N 7B7 Canada
- Phone : 613-241-8399
- Fax : 613-241-7991
- Email : info@cacb.ca
- http://www.cacb.ca/
This is the first step on the way to licensure, and it is mandatory to start the licensure/registration process in every province and territory in Canada. The assessment takes about three months from the date of submission of complete application.
The provincial and territorial associations are responsible for the two other steps (internships and examinations) of the process. For all general information requests related to academic qualifications, you are invited to contact the CACB.
Once you know where you will settle and work, you should contact the appropriate provincial/territorial regulatory body for information on licensing procedures (see list below).
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada also provides information for foreign-trained architects who wish to practise their profession in Canada.
You may also consult our Fact Sheet No. 2, which has been compiled to help individuals learn more about how to obtain an assessment of their qualifications for employment purposes in Canada.
Other relevant information
For a general description of duties and employment requirements, you can refer to the information prepared by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada regarding:
Specific Provincial/Territorial Information
List of provincial and territorial regulatory bodies
Alberta
- Alberta Association of Architects (AAA)
- Duggan House, 10515 Saskatchewan Drive
- Edmonton AB T6E 4S1 Canada
- Phone : 780-432-0224
- Fax : 780-439-1431
- Email : info@aaa.ab.ca
- http://www.aaa.ab.ca/
British Columbia
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
- #100 - 440 Cambie Street
- Vancouver BC V6B 2N5 Canada
- Phone : 604-683-8588
- Fax : 604-683-8568
- Email : info@aibc.ca
- http://www.aibc.ca/
Manitoba
- Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA)
- 137 Bannatyne Avenue, 2nd flr.
- Winnipeg MB R3B 0R3 Canada
- Phone : 204-925-4620
- Fax : 204-925-4624
- Email : info@mbarchitects.org
- http://www.mbarchitects.org/
New Brunswick
- Architects' Association of New Brunswick (AANB)
- P.O. Box 5093
- Sussex NB E4E 5L2 Canada
- Phone : 506-433-5811
- Fax : 506-432-1122
- Email : inquiries@aanb.org
- http://www.aanb.org/
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland Association of Architects (NAA)
- P.O. Box 5204
- St. John's NL A1C 5V5 Canada
- Phone : 709-726-8550
- Fax : 709-726-1549
- Email : naa@warp.nfld.net
- http://www.newfoundlandarchitects.com
Northwest Territories
- Northwest Territories Association of Architects
- P.O. Box 1394
- Yellowknife NT X1A 2N8 Canada
- Phone : (867) 766-4216
- Fax : (867) 873-3654
- Email : nwtaa@yk.com
- http://www.nwtaa.ca/
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA)
- 1359 Barrington St.
- Halifax NS B3J 1Y9 Canada
- Phone : (902) 423-7607
- Fax : (902) 425-7024
- Email : info@nsaa.ns.ca
- http://www.nsaa.ns.ca/
Ontario
- Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
- 111 Moatfield Drive
- Don Mills ON M3B 3L6 Canada
- Phone : 416-449-6898
- Fax : 416-449-5756
- Email : oaamail@oaa.on.ca
- http://www.oaa.on.ca/
Prince Edward Island
- Architects Association of Prince Edward Island (AAPEI)
- P.O. Box 1766
- Charlottetown PE C1A 7N4 Canada
- Phone : 902-368-2300
- Fax : 902-566-9214
- Email : architects@bghj.com
Quebec
- Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)
- 1825, boul. René-Lévesque Ouest
- Montréal QC H3H 1R4 Canada
- Phone : 514-937-6168
- Phone (alternate): 1-800-599-6168
- Fax : 514-933-0242
- Email : info@oaq.com
- http://www.oaq.com/
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA)
- 200-642 Broadway Avenue
- Saskatoon SK S7N 1A9 Canada
- Phone : 306-242-0733
- Fax : 306-664-2598
- http://www.saskarchitects.com/web/index.shtml