AIBC Regulatory Authority Documents
The Professional Governance Act is the legislation that governs the regulation of the profession of architecture in the province and represents the highest order of legal authority. Enabled by the Act, accompanying components, as listed below, set out Regulations and supporting bylaws, standards, principles, values, and procedures. All AIBC regulatory documents are publicly-available.
Professional Governance Act – The Professional Governance Act (PGA) is broad and general legislation designed to modernize professional regulation and provide oversight of several regulatory bodies in British Columbia. It clarifies the role of regulatory bodies, and also establishes the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance, which reports into the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. The PGA defines the AIBC’s mandate and governing authority, and sets standard requirements for key elements of professional governance. It also outlines many of the the core obligations and standards that all registrants under the PGA must meet.
Professional Governance General Regulation – The Professional Governance General Regulation covers a variety of subjects, including the nomination process for Board Members and requirements for public disclosure of certain regulatory information.
Architects Regulation – The Architects Regulation addresses transitional items and many fundamental elements that were previously in the Architects Act, including establishing the definition of the “practice of architecture”; the scope of the “reserved practice” for Architects (formerly Section 60, or the ‘exceptions’); and reserved titles (“architect”, “intern architect” and “architectural technologist”).
- AIBC Descriptive Material – Architects Regulation: Reserved Practice of Architecture – Provides an overview of the Architects Regulation, including: Interaction Between the Architects Regulation and the BC Building Code; Alterations to Buildings; Temporary Structures; Architects and Professional Engineers, and a chart that compares the Architects Regulation and the BC Building Code. Of note, the descriptive material is intended as a guide and does not take the place of the Architects Regulation itself, which prevails in all cases.
AIBC Bylaws – The AIBC Bylaws are intended to be a single-source document for the regulation of the architectural profession in British Columbia. The Bylaws address core governance procedures, establish registration and ethics and competency standards, as well as set the procedures for becoming registered and for complaints, investigations, and discipline.
Schedules – Schedules are regulatory documents authorized and found attached to the AIBC Bylaws. They include the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, a number of Board Rules, and Administrative Guidelines regarding specific AIBC requirements and programs. For example, Internship in Architecture Program registration requirements and Fees (previously Bulletin 1:Fees, Fines and Charges) are Schedules.
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct – Enabled by the Professional Governance Act and AIBC Bylaws, the AIBC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct establishes the core practice and ethical standards for AIBC Registrants: Architects, Architectural Technologists, Intern Architects, Retired Architects, Architectural Firms, and Temporary Licensees (Architect). The Code of Ethics is built around Professional Standards: The principles, values, and standards of professional practice and behaviour for the profession, supplemented by explanatory commentary.
Practice Guidelines – These documents support the understanding of, and compliance with, Professional Standards and provide interpretations of regulatory requirements. Examples include Practice Guideline: Standard Form Contracts and Practice Guideline: Qualified Letters of Assurance.
Administrative Guidelines – These documents assist the AIBC in decision-making and related regulatory functions, as approved by the Board under the AIBC Bylaws. An example incudes Schedule G: Conditional Registration Administrative Guidelines, found in the AIBC Bylaws.
Board Rules – These are procedural or administrative rules approved by the Board as authorized in the AIBC Bylaws. Examples include Board Rules for Board Meetings and Board Rules for Architectural Firm Names.
Regulatory Guidance – Strictly provides interpretive guidance on regulatory matters, such as the use of titles. An example includes Regulatory Guidance: Right to Title.
Board Code of Conduct and Board Policy – The AIBC Board governs the affairs of the AIBC and operates under a form of the “policy governance” model. Under this system, the Board establishes and monitors policies for guiding and overseeing the AIBC’s performance. The Board Code of Conduct establishes certain standards and procedures for AIBC Board members.
Bulletins – More than 40 Bulletins provide specific information and advice regarding a variety of AIBC and professional matters, largely related to standards for the profession. Bulletins are publicly available and accessed by clients, local governments and the public.
Supporting AIBC Resources
Supplemental to and consistent with the regulatory authority framework is a collection of ancillary AIBC resources.
Please visit the AIBC Resources page for AIBC Standard Form Contracts between Client and Consultant, Guidelines on Intellectual Property, Municipal Matrix, Practice Guidelines, and Tariff of Fees for Architectural Services.