Questions and Answers

Who will evaluate my educational qualifications?

Your education must meet the Canadian Education Standard. Submit your documents (certified copies of all degrees; official transcript of record; a university calendar) to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) for certification. Include the application fee, and a completed application form. Review Step 1 for more information.

I work as an architect in my country. Do I have to have CACB certification and OAA membership to work as an architect in Ontario?

Yes. In Canada it is illegal to use the title "Architect" or offer the services of an architect before being licensed and being issued a Certificate of Practice by a provincial or territorial architectural association. To begin work as an architect in Ontario you must complete a six-step process:

• Step 1: Education Requirements
• Step 2: Experience Requirements
• Step 3: Examination Requirements
• Step 4: OAA Admission Course
• Step 5: Membership in the OAA (Licensing)
• Step 6: Certificate of Practice

I am not living in Canada yet. What can I do before I immigrate to Ontario?

Before you immigrate to Canada, you can obtain information about the licensing procedures for architects from the OAA. The first step to becoming licensed as an architect in Ontario is to receive certification of your education from the CACB. You may complete this first step from abroad. Applications for certification of academic qualifications may be obtained from the CACB. Contact the CACB at info@cacb.ca to request an application or download it from its Web site (see Regulatory Bodies page).

You can also obtain information about the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) from outside of Canada. The ARE is conducted by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), an organization based in the United States. To contact NCARB, click here.

You may also download the OAA's Web site the Intern Architect Program (IAP) Manual, Appendix B to the IAP Manual and the Experience Summary Form (CERB).

You may record your International architectural work experience and have it signed by your supervising architect in jurisdiction in which the work is/was gained.

Note that experience will NOT be reviewed until you have been appointed to the Intern Architect status.

What are the requirements for CACB certification?

You must have a professional degree or diploma in architecture from a post-secondary institution, and your education must meet the Canadian Education Standard. To begin the assessment process you must send certified copies of all your degrees, an official transcript of record, and a university calendar to the CACB, along with a completed application form and the application fee. You can begin this in the licensing process from abroad.

Do I have to pass an English-language test?

You do not have to pass a language proficiency test. However, the licensing process may involve interviews and exams that require excellent oral and written English-language skills. If you feel uncomfortable participating in formal interviews, reading complex documentation, and writing reports in English, you might consider upgrading your English skills before applying. See the Support for Newcomers section of this e-Career Map for information on where you can take English-as-a-second-language courses in Ontario.

My degrees, my transcript, and my university calendar are not in English. Do I have to get them translated?

Yes, if your original documents are not in English or French, you must include certified copies of the original documents in their original language and you must provide official translations certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths.

How much does it cost to get my academic qualifications assessed by the CACB?

CAN$ 1,050.00 plus GST. The fees change each year, so contact the CACB before you submit payment.

How long does the CACB take to assess my credentials?

It takes a minimum of two months from the time that the CACB receives your complete application, accompanying documents, and the applicable fee, to the time that you receive the results of the assessment. If your application package is incomplete it will take longer, so make sure that you include all the necessary documents. You will receive the results of the assessment by mail.

What are some of the possible outcomes of the assessment process?

• a CACB certificate may be issued if your academic qualifications meet the Canadian Education Standard
• you may be required to eliminate deficiencies in particular subject areas by successfully completing courses recommended by the CACB
• your academic credentials may be rejected (you may appeal or consider related occupations)

I have been asked to eliminate deficiencies in my academic qualifications. Where can I take the courses necessary to upgrade my credentials?

You can find the necessary courses through the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Syllabus or at one of the accredited programs at a Canadian university school of architecture. The CACB certifies the academic credentials of syllabus graduates, and refers other candidates for academic certification to the RAIC Syllabus to complete courses to address identified academic deficiencies. For application instructions about the RAIC Syllabus click here (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) or email info@raic-syllabus.ca.

What happens if I disagree with the CACB assessment of my education?

If the CACB assessment results in the rejection of your academic qualifications, or you are asked to eliminate deficiencies and you wish further information please contact the CACB.