Canadian Architectural Certification Quiz

Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)

• A national independent non-profit corporation
• Elected directors from the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA), the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA), and the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA)
• Responsible for assessing educational qualifications of architecture graduates and accrediting professional architecture programs in Canada
• Head office in Ottawa, Ontario
• Adheres to principles of fairness, transparency, clarity and ethical business practices

Canadian Education Standard for Architects (CES)

• The academic qualification requirement for candidates seeking to practise architecture in Canada
• Developed in accordance with the UNESCO/UIA Charter for Architectural Education and the UIA Accord on Recommended International Standards on Professionalism in Architectural Practice

Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Certification

• Allows foreign architects to receive certification and then apply for a license to practice in Canada

Professional Degree Programs in Architecture

• Provide education that includes critical analysis and integration of knowledge
• Analytical study provides general knowledge required to undertake design and construction phases
• CACB Conditions and Terms for Accreditation and the CACB Procedures for Accreditation are the documents that outline program standards for accredited programs in Canada

RAIC Syllabus Program

• National alternative path to architectural licensure
• Owned and managed by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada with support from Athabasca University
• Combination of academic study, design studio and work experience
• Academic courses are provided online
• Design studios are operated in 12 cities across Canada with instruction provided by volunteer licensed practitioners
• Extensive work experience is required to graduate from the program
• Students are required to be employed in an architectural practice and work under the supervision of a licensed architect

Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)

• Established by provincial and territorial associations of architects
• The objective is to ensure candidates gain enough experience to meet recognized standards of practical skill and professionalism
• Requires interns to complete a total of 3,720 hours of experience (over a minimum of two years) in 17 categories of practice
• Mentors can provide guidance and support

Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)

• The professional examination to become a licensed architect
• The ExAC is composed of four sections
• Exam is set annually by each Canadian jurisdiction
• Covers the following topic areas as set out in the Internship in Architecture Program:
  • Programming
  • Site and Environmental Analysis
  • Coordinating Engineering Systems
  • Cost Management
  • Schematic Design
  • Design Development
  • Code Research (NBC 2015 Edition)
  • Final Project
  • Bidding and Contract Negotiations
  • Construction Phase – Office
  • Construction Phase – Site
  • Project Management

Reciprocity Agreement Between Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities

• All provinces and the Northwest Territories have adopted common admission standards
• The Canadian Education Standard, the Internship in Architecture Program, and the generalized use of the ExAC have made getting licensed in Canada largely consistent
• This has resulted in a reciprocity agreement where a license from one jurisdiction is recognized by other jurisdictions.

Inter-Recognition Agreement Between the NCARB and the CCAC

• Agreement between Canadian architects and their counterparts in the US under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
• Common admission standards in both countries contributed to the ability to negotiate this agreement
• The CACB’s accreditation conditions and procedures are similar to those of the NAAB
• Both organizations recognize programs accredited by the other
• Canadian political and demographic features are different from those in the US
• The Internship in Architecture Program’s objectives, procedures and duration are similar to those of the Intern Development Program in the United States
• The ExAC is recognized by NCARB as equivalent
• The ARE is recognized in Canada