Your Path to Becoming an Architect:
Education Requirements

Overview

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. Please note that if these documents are in a language other than French or English you must provide an official translation, along with the original document, certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths.

Step 1

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.

The first step to becoming licensed as an architect in Ontario is to receive certification of your education from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). Your education must meet the Canadian Education Standard.

In Canada, each province and/or territory has its own provincial and/or territorial architectural association responsible for licensing and regulating architects. However, the provincial or territorial architectural associations, including Ontario's OAA, rely on the CACB for the certification of every individual's education.

The CACB is a national body responsible for assessing and certifying the academic credentials of individuals who have a professional degree or diploma in architecture. All individuals in Canada must have their academic qualifications certified by the CACB before they can apply for licensure with any of the provincial or territorial associations of architects.

You can contact the CACB for assessment of your academic credentials before you immigrate to Canada.

To begin your certification with the CACB, download the application form through the CACB Web site. To receive an application package by mail, email the CACB at info@cacb.ca or contact it at the mailing address found on the Regulatory Bodies page.

Checklist I lists the documents you are required to send to the CACB for assessment of your academic credentials:

Checklist I for CACB Certification
You must send in: a completed application form. To link to the CACB application form for graduates of foreign schools of architecture, click here certified copies of all degrees. Submit copies of original documents in their original language of instruction. If these documents are in a language other than French or English, you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths an official transcript of record showing grade or standing received in each subject, for each year of the courses of architecture that you have completed. Copies certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths are also acceptable. If these documents are in a language other than French or English, you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths a university calendar describing all programs, including architecture undertaken by the applicant, or equivalent documentation. If these documents are in a language other than French or English you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths the application fee - CAN $1,050.00 + GST. The CACB Assessment Committee will review your documents and determine whether your education is equivalent to the Canadian Education Standard

Checklist I for CACB Certification

You must send in:

a completed application form. To link to the CACB application form for graduates of foreign schools of architecture, click here
certified copies of all degrees. Submit copies of original documents in their original language of instruction. If these documents are in a language other than French or English, you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths
an official transcript of record showing grade or standing received in each subject, for each year of the courses of architecture that you have completed. Copies certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths are also acceptable. If these documents are in a language other than French or English, you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths
a university calendar describing all programs, including architecture undertaken by the applicant, or equivalent documentation. If these documents are in a language other than French or English you must provide an official translation certified by the emitting institution, a lawyer, a notary, or a commissioner of oaths
the application fee - CAN $1,050.00 + GST. The CACB Assessment Committee will review your documents and determine whether your education is equivalent to the Canadian Education Standard

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.

There are three possible outcomes of the CACB assessment:	Next Step
1) A CACB certificate may be issued if your academic qualifications meet the Canadian Education Standard	Proceed to Step 2
2) You may be required to eliminate deficiencies in particular subject areas by successfully completing courses recommended by the CACB. You will need to complete these courses before you can move to Step 2 in the process	Get information on upgrading
3) Your academic qualifications may be rejected	You can question the decision or explore related occupations

There are three possible outcomes of the CACB assessment:

Next Step

1) A CACB certificate may be issued if your academic qualifications meet the Canadian Education Standard

Proceed to Step 2

2) You may be required to eliminate deficiencies in particular subject areas by successfully completing courses recommended by the CACB. You will need to complete these courses before you can move to Step 2 in the process

Get information on upgrading

3) Your academic qualifications may be rejected

You can question the decision or explore related occupations

Upgrading Academic Qualifications - Courses

The CACB may decide that your academic credentials do not meet the Canadian Education Standard and will ask you to upgrade your academic qualifications. 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 syllabus to complete courses to address identified academic deficiencies. The RAIC syllabus is web-based.

Click here for application instructions about the RAIC syllabus (Adobe Acrobat PDF format) or email info@raic-syllabus.ca.

For more information on CACB certification click here or contact the Board through its email or mailing address found on the Contacts page of this e-Career Map.

Related Fees

CACB application	$1,050.00
The CACB Assessment Committee will review your documents and determine whether your education is equivalent to the Canadian Education Standard.
Notes: Canadian funds + GST

Step 1 > Step 2 > Step 3 > Step 4 > Step 5 > Step 6

Your Path to Becoming an Architect: Education Requirements

Overview

Step 1

Upgrading Academic Qualifications - Courses

Related Fees

Your Path to Becoming an Architect:
Education Requirements