What is the Certified Professional (CP) Program?
The Certified Professional (CP) Program is an alternative to the conventional Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) process for building permitting and monitoring of construction. As part of this alternative process, the CP provides their professional assurance to the AHJ that they will take all appropriate steps to ascertain that the design by the Registered Professionals of Record will substantially comply and the construction of the project will substantially conform in all material respects with the fire and life safety, and accessibility aspects of the building code, other applicable safety enactments, and the related development permit. The Chief Building Official of an AHJ relies upon the CP’s assurances in issuing Building Permits and Occupancy Permits for a project constructed under the CP Program. The Guide to the CP Program is intended to be used as a guide in executing the CP Program in the Province of British Columbia where local governments have adopted the CP Program. There is a parallel guide published by the City of Vancouver: the Vancouver CP Manual.
The CP Program is administered by the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC). An architect registered with the AIBC, or a professional engineer or professional licensee engineering with the appropriate authorized area of reserved practice registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, can qualify as a Certified Professional (CP). The CP Program course covers advanced code knowledge and the detailed application of Division A, Division B Parts 1 and 3, and Division C of the BC Building Code and the Vancouver Building By-law. It also covers the requirements and demonstrations on sample projects on how Certified Professionals practice in the cities of Vancouver, Surrey, and other participating municipalities. The AIBC runs the CP Course and maintains a list of those who have successfully completed the CP Course and CP upgrade requirements.
Why Use a Certified Professional?
There are many reasons why an owner chooses to use this alternate permit process. Usually, the owner uses the CP permit process to expedite the building permit issuance. In some jurisdictions, the CP permit process may allow for staged permitting and staged construction, which can be attractive to fast-track projects. Staged permitting and staged construction is generally not available, except on a Certified Professional project.
The CP is retained by the owner. Since the CP is also acting on behalf of the AHJ in undertaking plan reviews and site reviews, the CP also has an obligation to the AHJ with respect to “Code Coordination” (refer to Section 4.2 of the Guide to the CP Program). Although there may be a perceived conflict of interest in these two roles of the CP, in practice there is no conflict. The CP is an Architect AIBC or a professional engineer or professional licensee engineering, and is bound by the bylaws and code of ethics of their professional regulator, which mandates protection of the public as the primary responsibility of their registrants.
The use of the CP process is not mandatory for permit issuance. In order for the CP Program to operate successfully, the CP must demonstrate competence in code knowledge and must be familiar with procedures as outlined in the Guide to the CP Program. The AHJ places a high level of reliance on the CP. Therefore, CP projects are given significantly less oversight than conventional projects by local government staff.
Resources
List of Certified Professionals
Guides to the Certified Professional Program
- BC Building Code CP Guide
- Provincial CP Schedule CP-1, CP-2, CP-3
- City of Vancouver CP Guide
- City of Vancouver CP Schedule CP-1, CP-2, CP-3
BC Building Code Part 3 Checklist
- 2024 BC Building Code Part 3 Checklist (Fillable PDF)
- 2024 BC Building Code Part 3 Checklist (PDF)
BC Building Code Adaptable Dwelling Unit Checklist
- 2024 BC Building Code Adaptable Dwelling Unit Checklist (Fillable PDF)
- 2024 BC Building Code Adaptable Dwelling Unit Checklist (PDF)
CP Jurisdictions
List of AHJ Contacts for the Certified Professional Program
Abbotsford
Burnaby
Ladysmith
Maple Ridge
Nanaimo
Squamish
Squamish Nation – Kitsilano Indian Reserve #6 (Seṅákw)
Surrey
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
University Endowment Lands
Vancouver
West Vancouver
AIBC Contact
For questions about the CP Program, contact AIBC Certified Professional Program Manager:
Anja Slusarzick-Seibt Architect AIBC, CP
- Telephone: 604.305.2714
- Email: aslusarzickseibt@aibc.ca
- Address: Architectural Institute of British Columbia, Suite 100 – 440 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2N5