Earlier this year, the Notification Period for revised Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) and revised Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for AIBC Associates took place, whereby registrants had an opportunity to share feedback and comments on the proposed revisions. These revisions included the addition of Intern Architects AIBC as participants of the existing Continuing Education System (CES) program as of July 1, 2020. AIBC Council approved the Rules on March 12, 2019.
Here are three things intern architects need to know:
1. Intern architects will be CES Participants as of July 1, 2020.
Intern architects have one-year before their first reporting cycle begins, allowing ample time to become familiar with the CES program and its requirements. Over the next year, there will be information shared with intern architects through news items, Notices and dedicated in-person sessions to ensure they are fully prepared.
What does this mean? Beginning July 1, 2020, intern architects are required to earn 36 Learning Units (LUs) over the two-year reporting period, which ends on June 30, 2022. LUs can be classified as Core or Non-core, and of the 36 LUs required, a minimum of 16 must be Core. Given that Intern Architects AIBC are not CES Participants until July 1, 2020, no self-reporting is required (or accepted) until that time.
Note: You may see a CES One-Year Countdown clock and associated material on AIBC channels over the next twelve months – this countdown is a reminder for current CES Participants (architects and architectural technologists) who are completing their 2018–2020 reporting cycle. We strongly suggest you review this information to get better acquainted with the program, but be reminded that the first applicable reporting cycle for intern architects is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.
Certain volunteer work, workshops and even reading can be self-reported for Learning Units.
2. All Internship in Architecture Program Courses count towards Learning Unit requirements. Studying can also be reported for LUs.
We received your feedback regarding the introduction of intern architects into the CES program.
The mandatory courses that intern architects are already taking through the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) are eligible for continuing education credits and are considered Core. This means that one action is helping satisfy two requirements – completion of the IAP and CES Program. As these courses are “AIBC-Delivered”, the LUs would be entered on each intern architect’s behalf, relieving administrative requirements.
In addition, independent activities such as studying and research can count towards CES credits as well. For example, if you are studying for the ExAC or Oral Reviews, this time can be self-reported to the AIBC for Non-core LUs.
Many professional development activities and requirements that intern architects are already engaged in can be self-reported for Learning Units – this can include certain volunteer work, workshops and even reading. Please review Bulletin 80 and the CES Guidelines, or contact the professional services department if you have any questions about LU eligibility or classification.
3. There are many resources available and readily accessible on the Institute’s website to help intern architects become familiar with the CES program.
The AIBC is committed to supporting Intern Architects AIBC as they prepare to enter the Continuing Education System program as CES Participants. Over the next year, information will be shared with intern architects about CES online as well as in-person, with many resources already available on the AIBC website, such as:
- Bulletin 80: Mandatory Continuing Education System (CES): Expands on CES Rules and provides a thorough overview of the CES program.
- CES Guidelines Document: Supplementary resource to Bulletin 80, which provides practical examples and step-by-step procedures for the administrative functions of CES.
If you have any additional questions that are not covered in the Bulletin or Guidelines, please reach out to the professional services department at professionaldevelopment@aibc.ca.