The AIBC has several updates for Intern Architects AIBC regarding important steps in their pathway to registration, including changes to the Oral Exam (previously Oral Review), the upcoming deadline for the transition to the fourth edition of the Internship in Architecture Program Manual, the course relaxation policy, and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
Changes to Oral Exam (Previously Oral Review)
In 2021, the AIBC announced that a new oral exam process would be implemented in September 2022. The new process was thoroughly reviewed against the principles of fairness, validity, and reliability.
Further to a newly developed oral exam, the eligibility requirements relating to experience hours will also be changed. This update will address the Oral Review Project findings that Intern Architects AIBC who failed the exam were missing experience in specific areas. To adequately prepare for the exam, it is necessary that experience hours are gained from across all architectural experience categories. The course requirement remains the same.
Key changes to the new Oral Exam process include:
- Name Change: From “Oral Review” to “Oral Exam” to more accurately describe this registration requirement.
- Eligibility Requirement: Completion of at least 85% of approved experience hours in each category as per the Internship in Architecture Program Manual – Fourth Edition (PDF)
- Category A:Design and Construction Documents
- Category B:Construction Administration
- Category C:Management
- Remediation Options: This update supports candidates who are unsuccessful. If it is determined the deficiency is not widespread and can be addressed by remediation, (for example, completing a course or gaining additional experience), then candidates will be required to complete remediation instead of sitting another oral exam.
The eligibility requirements for the oral exam will come into effect March 2023. All other changes are effective as of the Winter 2022 oral exam sitting. Resources will be updated, including the summer oral exam workshop, and available on the AIBC website.
Transition Period to the IAP Manual – Fourth Edition Ends June 30, 2022
In 2020, both the Internship in Architecture Program Manual – Fourth Edition and Appendix B were updated. At that time, the AIBC announced a transition period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 relating to changes in architectural experience categories, to minimize any disruption to Intern Architects AIBC who were close to completing their experience hour requirements.
The transition period will end on June 30, 2022. By July 1, 2022, all Intern Architects AIBC must transition to the new IAP Manual – Fourth Edition, with no exceptions. This means that intern architects using the Internship in Architecture Program Manual – Third Edition may only report hours using the experience categories under the third edition up until June 30, 2022. For more information, please refer to the IAP Changes – Appendix B FAQs.
Course Relaxation Policy Ending when Courses Become Available
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person offerings of AIBC courses were cancelled. Consequently, Intern Architect AIBC registration requirements were temporarily relaxed. Completion of mandatory courses prior to the oral exam (oral review) were not required as long as Intern Architects AIBC satisfied the 2,800 requisite hours.
As soon as courses are available, course requirements prior to the oral exam will be reinstituted. More information will be shared closer to the course launch date. Please note that those who passed the oral exam without completing the courses will have one year to complete the course requirement from the time courses become available this year.
Architect Registration Examination Results Only Accepted Until January 31, 2024
In lieu of the ExAC, the AIBC accepts the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) Architect Registration Examination (ARE) examinations as meeting the exam requirement towards initial registration for a fixed period only. Any ARE exam results will only be accepted up until January 31, 2024. This change is being implemented given the ARE focuses on non-Canadian content.
Have a Question?
New questions and answers have been added to the AIBC website, and Appendix B to the Internship in Architecture Program Manual has been updated with the Oral Exam and ARE changes. We encourage Intern Architects AIBC to review the website and supporting resources.
If you have any additional questions regarding the above update, please email iap@aibc.ca.