September 2022 Update: Based on the feedback we have received during the provincial government’s consultation process, we are in the process of amending our recommendations. The original recommendations document has been removed from the website as we work to update the content. An updated Reserved Practice Recommendations Chart will be shared once available.
As shared at the 103rd Annual Meeting, the provincial government has begun a consultation process on the reserved practice of the profession. The government went through this process with the other five regulatory bodies who are already under the Professional Governance Act, as part of their respective transitions. As a reminder, it is the provincial government that sets reserved practice, unlike bylaws.
Specifically, the government asked the AIBC to provide policy advice on a replacement for Section 60 of the Architects Act, which is also commonly known as the “exceptions”. Section 60 establishes the threshold for building size and type requiring an architect in B.C., although the current description and categories of buildings are obsolete and not aligned with other regulatory requirements such as the BC Building Code.
In the process of coming up with recommendations, the AIBC convened a group of experienced industry stakeholders to examine the current reserved practice of architecture and suggest recommendations for language and scope improvement. The group was comprised of architects, an engineer, and a retired chief building official. The AIBC also consulted external stakeholders including the Building and Safety Standards Branch, Engineers and Geoscientists BC, and the Building Officials’ Association of BC.
The AIBC has provided advice to the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance on modernizing the legislative language used to clearly describe which buildings require the services of an architect. A key objective of the AIBC’s recommendations was also to align reserved practice with the BC Building Code and public safety regulations to the greatest extent possible, but in every case to carefully calibrate the legal requirements for an architect with the modern built environment.
In summary, aside from modernizing the legislative language, the key proposed changes include:
- Language written in the affirmative, clearly describing which buildings require the services of an architect;
- Modern, careful calibration of building type and size to better align with the BC Building Code and public safety expectations of key stakeholders;
- Minimizing interpretive ambiguity for the public, including owner-developers and building officials; and
- Helping ensure public safety, environmental protection and the right to access in the built environment.
The government has now provided permission for the AIBC to share the recommendations publicly, and the Reserved Practice Recommendations Chart and associated definitions are now available. As a reminder, reserved practice is still in the consultation stage and it is the provincial government that will ultimately set the final reserved practice for the architectural profession in British Columbia, not the AIBC.