Proposed Introduction of Intern Architects AIBC to Continuing Education System
On January 14, 2019, AIBC Council approved, in principle, revised Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) and revised Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for AIBC Associates. The proposed revisions outline several enhancements and changes to the Continuing Education System (CES), including the introduction of Intern Architects AIBC to the CES program as of July 1, 2020.
Introduced in 2001, the CES program was developed in response to both the profession’s recognition of its own needs, and the public’s expectation that CES participants remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods and materials. The Continuing Education System requires that all CES participants (currently Architects AIBC, Architectural Technologists AIBC) earn 36 Learning Units every two years. Following the recent close of the 2016–2018 CES reporting period, Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) and Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates were thoroughly reviewed, resulting in several recommendations.
It is now being considered that beginning July 1, 2020, Intern Architects AIBC will become part of the CES program. If passed, interns will be required to earn 36 Learning Units (LUs) over the two-year reporting period. This proposed change is in the public interest to ensure currency of competency, and is in keeping with the approach of several other Canadian regulators.
Highlights
- If the Council Rules are approved and Intern Architects AIBC become CES Participants, the first effective reporting period would be July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022. This gives interns more than a year to prepare and plan accordingly.
- The CES reporting period is two years. Participants need to earn and report a total of 36 LUs within this timeframe – with at least 16 being “Core” hours. If a participant earns more than the required amount, Core LUs can be carried forward into the next reporting period. It is being proposed that a maximum of 8 Core LUs can be carried forward.
- The difference between Core and Non-core LUs is that Core topics are integral to the practice of architecture; they relate to the design, social and environmental responsibilities, construction, use and maintenance of buildings, professional practice and professional conduct and ethics. Non-core topics are not integral to the practice of architecture, but instead are relevant to and useful in one’s practice. Examples of Core and Non-core topics can be found in the Appendix of Bulletin 80: Mandatory Continuing Education System (CES) Rules and Guidelines.
- CES Participants that join mid-steam during a reporting period will have different requirements for their first deadline, based on the date of registration, as illustrated in the chart below:
For more information on requirements for those who register during a reporting period, please review Bulletin 80: Mandatory Continuing Education System (CES) Rules and Guidelines (PDF). - All courses under the Internship in Architecture Program are eligible for CES credits. This means the courses you are already required to take as part of the IAP will also contribute towards CES requirements – you will be fulfilling two needs with one deed! For example, taking the four mandatory IAP courses will earn the participant 24 Core LUs (six credits for each course), which fully satisfies the Core learning requirements for the CES Program. Interns can earn the remaining 12 LUs through Non-core activities such as studying – including for the ExAC or Oral Review, or conducting research.
- There are many opportunities to earn LUs, with the AIBC events calendar being a resource to find additional activities. Several firms also host a schedule of lunch and learns throughout the year that would qualify for CES credits. Firms would be encouraged to open their doors, as many already do, to interns from other organizations.
- If you have questions about the Continuing Education System, such as “How is an LU classified”, “How can I earn LUs?”, or “How do I self-report activities?”, please refer to the CES Frequently Asked Question webpage. This is another helpful resource for navigating the system and learning more about the program.
Share Your Thoughts
Feedback is being solicited for Council Rules 5 and 6. During the notification period, which runs until February 15, 2019, architects and associates are invited to review the council rules and share their comments or questions through online feedback forms:
- Review Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES).
Feedback Form: Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES). - Review Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates.
Feedback Form: Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates.
If these council rules are approved, intern architects will receive detailed additional information about CES participation and compliance.