Note: Capitalized terms on this webpage have the same meaning as defined in the AIBC Bylaws.
The Architectural Institute of British Columbia is the statutory body that regulates the profession of architecture in the public interest, pursuant to the Professional Governance Act (PGA), Architects Regulation, and the AIBC Bylaws.
The AIBC is granted authority under the PGA and the Architects Regulation to address compliance concerns related to the practice of architecture. Among the core purposes of the PGA and the Architects Regulation is to ensure that:
- projects requiring an architect have an Architect; and
- only those who are appropriately trained, qualified, and registered with the AIBC are permitted to hold themselves out as Architects or offer/provide architectural services.
The PGA is, broadly speaking, public protection legislation. It is provincial law that applies to everyone in British Columbia. It prohibits those who are not registered as Architects from practicing architecture, or holding themselves out or implying that they are able to do so.
Misrepresentation
Under the PGA and Architects Regulation, only Architects are permitted by law to provide or offer to provide architectural services and use derivative forms of the word Architect. Only Registrants are permitted to represent themselves as Architects, Intern Architects, and Architectural Technologists in British Columbia.
Sections 51 to 53 of the PGA and section 4 of the Architects Regulation require that individuals or firms not registered with the AIBC must not be misrepresented as “architects”, offer architectural services, or imply that they are entitled to practice architecture. Using similar titles such as “architectural designer” or “interior architect”, or offering services such as architectural design or architectural drawings is not permissible.
The AIBC’s regulatory mandate includes taking action against those who unlawfully use the titles protected under the PGA. This ensures that the public can easily identify who is lawfully qualified to offer and provide architectural services in British Columbia.
Further information regarding the use of restricted titles and derivates can be found in Regulatory Guidance | Right to Title (PDF).
Illegal Practice
Section 51 and 54 of the PGA and section 5(1) of the Architects Regulation stipulates that the reserved practice of architecture in BC is exclusive to architects that are registered with the AIBC.
The Architects Regulation defines the practice of architecture and sets out which buildings in British Columbia require the services of an Architect by law. An Architect must be retained any time architectural services (including at the planning and design phase) are being provided on a building requiring an Architect under the Architects Regulation.
An Architect must also be retained for renovations or repairs to an existing building that requires an Architect, unless the scope of work is not related to the items listed under section 5(3)(a) of the Architects Regulation.
An Architect or a Professional Engineer registered under the PGA may provide services on buildings that are within the Reserved Practice of architecture and the Reserved Practice of professional engineering; which are set out in Schedule 1 of the Architects Regulation.
Reserved Practice is the services for which an Architect AIBC must be retained. To help the public understand the Reserved Practice of architecture in B.C., including when an Architect is required on a project, accompanying descriptive material in the form of a guide is available – “Architects Regulation: Reserved Practice of Architecture” (PDF). The descriptive material provides an overview of the Architects Regulation, including: Interaction Between the Architects Regulation and the BC Building Code, Alterations to Buildings, Architects and Professional Engineers, and a chart that compares the Architects Regulation and the BC Building Code with respect to buildings requiring the services of an Architect. 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.
The AIBC’s regulatory mandate includes taking action against those who are unlawfully providing architectural services contrary to the PGA and Architects Regulation. In cases where illegal practice concerns are identified, the AIBC will contact the individual or business for clarification, as well as contact the Project’s owner and advise the authority having jurisdiction that the project may be proceeding illegally without an Architect.
Reporting a Possible Infraction
Anyone can report a concern if they believe that an individual or business has contravened the PGA and Architects Regulation. AIBC Registrants have an obligation to report such concerns under Schedule A: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the AIBC Bylaws (see Professional Standard 10.8) and section 58 of the PGA.
If you are aware of a possible contravention:
- Search the AIBC register to determine if the individual or business is registered with the AIBC.
- In most cases, if the individual or business is not listed, they are not an AIBC Registrant.
- Note that the AIBC issues Temporary Licences to out-of-province architects who work on specific Projects in collaboration with AIBC-registered architects. Temporary Licence holders are not listed in the register.
- Contact the AIBC’s illegal practice department at illegalpractice@aibc.ca if you need assistance.
- Provide information and documentation to support your concern.
- Photographs of a project sign, copies of permit applications, business cards, title blocks, articles, relevant correspondence, and/or project drawings are very useful.
- Include contact information for the alleged contravener, if possible.
- Submit the collected information by mail or email, to the AIBC’s illegal practice department:
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Illegal Practice Department
100 – 440 Cambie Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2N5 - Email: IllegalPractice@aibc.ca
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Outcomes/Resolutions
The PGA gives the AIBC the authority to take action against those who misrepresent themselves or engage in illegal practice. The AIBC will investigate when a possible contravention is brought to our attention. If it appears that illegal practice has occurred, the AIBC may do one or more of the following:
- Send an inquiry letter to the individual or business advising of our concerns, and request specific corrective action. This is a common first step in the case of misrepresentations.
- Request the individual sign an undertaking and covenant agreement, which includes an acknowledgment of the breach of the PGA and Architects Regulation and agrees to compliance moving ahead.
- Pursue financial damages or injunctive relief through the BC Supreme Court.
The AIBC publishes all illegal practice resolutions. If an instance of alleged illegal practice has not resulted in publication, it is because (1) the allegation was not substantiated or (2) because no resolution has yet been achieved.
Please note that due to the high volume of illegal practice inquiries the AIBC’s illegal practice department receives, we are unable to provide status updates to the complainant for each illegal practice file the AIBC investigates.
View Illegal Practice Resolutions.
2023 Statistics
AIBC Contact
AIBC Illegal Practice Department: IllegalPractice@aibc.ca