FAQs

Invoices will be sent at the end of November directly to the primary account emails from kmorris@aibc.ca. Please check your spam and junk folders if you do not see the email in your inbox. If you still cannot find your invoice after checking all folders, please send an email to finance@aibc.ca including your name as it is registered with the AIBC, and your Account Number.

The Account Number and Invoice Number can be found on the top right corner of your invoice:

Please ensure you are including all characters when providing your Account Number (AIBC-R######) and Invoice Number (2023-R######). For firms, the letter E replaces the R in both the account and invoice number.

To pay online, go to the 2023 Annual Renewal Payment page, scroll down to your registrant category, and double check that the payment figure matches the amount owing on your invoice. Then, input your Account Number and Invoice Number, and click “Pay Now”. Please note you do not need a PayPal account to complete this process.

Payment Methods

• Online (preferred): Using secure and confidential “Pay Now” buttons on the AIBC website: aibc.ca/annual-renewal-payment. This method allows you to pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit card or PayPal. Enter both the full Account Number (AIBC-R######) and Invoice Number (2023-R######) with all alphanumeric characters. The online payment deadline is 11:59 p.m. PST of the due date.
• E-transfer: Send to finance@aibc.ca, including your account number, invoice number and name (as registered with the AIBC) in the message field. Auto-deposit (Interac) is set-up, and no security question is required. Please contact finance@aibc.ca for alternative electronic payment methods.
• By mail: With a money order in Canadian funds or cheque from a Canadian Bank to the AIBC office. Include either a copy of the invoice, or your Account Number and Invoice Number with your cheque or money order. Allow for sufficient delivery time so that payment arrives by February 1.

In-person payments will not be accepted, as the AIBC offices are temporarily closed to visitors.

If you paid through the AIBC’s online payment page using the PayPal links, you will have received an automated receipt from the provider. These receipts can take over 24 hours to appear in your email – please also check your spam and junk folder. The Institute will upload the AIBC receipts to the Registrant Portal once available, and will notify registrants via the website and the newsletter.

At this time, registrants are not yet able to view or pay their invoice through the Registrant Portal, so the Institute is encouraging registrants to pay their fees online via the AIBC website or e-transfer to finance@aibc.ca.

Firm account login has not yet been activated in the new Registrant Portal. If you would like to pay for your firm, please follow the payment options outlined in your invoice. When firm account access becomes available, an email will be sent to all firms.

Fees must be received in full by February 1.  This is a requirement set by the Architects Act; it is a firm deadline without exceptions.

The renewal notice sent by email includes instructions for three methods of payment:

• Online (preferred): Using secure and confidential “Pay Now” buttons on the AIBC website: aibc.ca/annual-renewal-payment. This method allows you to pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit card or PayPal. Enter both the full Account Number (AIBC-R######) and Invoice Number (2023-R######) with all alphanumeric characters. The online payment deadline is 11:59 p.m. PST of the due date.
• E-transfer: Send to finance@aibc.ca, including your account number, invoice number and name (as registered with the AIBC) in the message field. Auto-deposit (Interac) is set-up, and no security question is required. Please contact finance@aibc.ca for alternative electronic payment methods.
• By mail: With a money order in Canadian funds or cheque from a Canadian Bank to the AIBC office. Include either a copy of the invoice, or your Account Number and Invoice Number with your cheque or money order. Allow for sufficient delivery time so that payment arrives by February 1.

 

NOTE: The AIBC offices are temporarily closed to visitors – in-person payments are not being accepted until further notice.

As mandated by the Architects Act, Section 72 (3), annual renewal fees must be paid in full on or before February 1.

• As per section 73 (1), a member, licensee, architectural firm or associate who fails to pay the annual fee on or before February 1 will cease to be in good standing.
• Additionally, the renewal fee will increase by 25 percent.
• If annual renewal fees remain unpaid in full, the suspension protocols under 73 (2) will be applied. There is no discretion in this matter as it is established by statute.

Yes. If someone else is paying on your behalf using the online method, you will have to provide them with your Invoice Number and Account Number (AIBC R-######). They can pay online using a credit card or PayPal. The credit card or PayPal account does not have to be your own.

If someone else is paying on your behalf with a money order or cheque, they will need to attach a copy of the invoice or note the invoice number (from the emailed renewal notice) along with the payment. The cheque doesn’t have to come from your bank account.

If someone else is paying on your behalf by e-Transfer or wire transfer, it must be sent to finance@aibc.ca and must include your account number, invoice number and name (as registered with the AIBC) in the message field. Auto-deposit (Interac) is set-up, and no security question is required. Your account will not reflect payment unless the finance team is notified in writing.

AIBC Council approves the budget and establishes the fees. The schedule of annual renewal fees can be found in Bulletin 1: Fees, Fines and Charges. Questions about fees can be submitted to council at president@aibc.ca.

Refer to Bulletin 3: Waiver or Reduction of Annual Fee (PDF) for information on waivers or reductions of the annual renewal fee for financial hardship, family leave (including maternity and parental leave) or medical disability. The completed application form contained in the bulletin should be mailed or emailed directly to the Director of Registration & Licensing at registration@aibc.ca, and be marked “Confidential.”

Please refer to the section for Retired Architects on the website.

Resignations must be submitted in writing and may be emailed to registration@aibc.ca before February 1, while still in good standing.

For architects, please refer to the instructions found on the AIBC website under Registrant Resources in the “Submit your resignation as an Architect AIBC” section, and complete the form: Resignation, Retirement Request – Architect AIBC (PDF) .

For associates, please complete the Resignation, Retirement Request – Associates (PDF) form.

For further information, including resignation and reinstatement details, please refer to the following bulletins:

• Bulletin 2: Reinstatement of Registration
• Bulletin 5: Resignation of Registration

Refer to Bulletin 2: Reinstatement of Registration (PDF) for details and fees.

An Application for Reinstatement (PDF) is available from the AIBC website.

Professional liability insurance is a form of insurance that protects architects against claims by clients and third parties. It is also sometimes referred to as “errors and omissions” insurance and is intended to provide protection necessary to defend and settle claims arising out of design services, field reviews and other services customary to architects. Professional liability insurance provides protection to the public through financial remedies for legitimate claims.

The mandate of the AIBC is to regulate the profession of architecture in B.C. in the interest of the public. Mandatory PLI provides access to financial remedies for persons with legitimate claims, and thereby provides at least a minimum level of protection to the public.

PLI is a risk management tool; it protects policy holders from the costs of defending and paying damages for claims. If you practice as an architect, you are exposed – a standard PLI policy provides the financial protection of coverage against claims.

All architectural firms who hold a Certificate of Practice holders are required to obtain insurance. Architects doing work that does not require a CoP, or working for CoP holders, would be exempt from obtaining insurance.

As per Council Rules 8: Terms and Conditions for Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance, the minimum amount of PLI coverage is $250,000 per claim, with an annual aggregate limit of not less than $500,000. Coverage must be in place for all projects undertaken by the firm in British Columbia during the certificate of practice period.

You can email a copy of your insurance certificate to accounts@aibc.ca.  This is an interim process as the upload function in the new Registrant Portal is not yet enabled.

Yes. For administrative efficiency and, to ensure insurance coverage continuity, firms are highly encouraged to align their insurance policy with the February 1 AIBC annual renewal deadline. Please be reminded that the February 1 deadline is fixed per the Architects Act, Section 72 (3). Simply contact your insurance provider to work out the details.

During each Annual Renewal Cycle starting with the Firm Update in September, Certificate of Practice holders will be asked to produce a copy of their professional liability insurance to confirm compliance with AIBC Bylaw 16.1.1 and Council Rules 8: Terms and Conditions for Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance.

The policy certificate needs to be submitted to the AIBC by February 1 – the same deadline as Annual Renewal. Failure to do so may result in the matter being directed to the professional conduct department.

Updated Certificates of Insurance can be submitted by email to accounts@aibc.ca any time during the year depending on when their current Certificate of Insurance expires. Certificates may not be uploaded through the firm account at this time as firm login has not been deployed in the Registrant Portal.

No. A current Certificate of Insurance is required by February 1, each year, to renew the Certificate of Practice. Firms deemed non-compliant with the PLI requirements per Bylaw 16.1.1 and Council Rules 8: Terms and Conditions for Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance (“PLI”) may be subject to fines equivalent to 50 % of their current annual fee.

No. Though AIBC’s regulatory jurisdiction is limited to British Columbia, insurers are not geographically restricted. Insurance policies can cover projects in other provinces and elsewhere (ie. Washington state). Be sure to clearly review the geographic scope of your coverage with your broker to ensure you are appropriately covered.

Further to the procedure embedded in Council Rules 8: Terms and Conditions for Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance(PDF), the firm must immediately notify the Institute, in writing, and provide written confirmation of return to PLI compliance within 10 days of the non-compliant event. Fees may apply for non-compliance with the Rules and the lapse would be reported to the professional conduct department for review and investigation.

Many Architects AIBC who practice outside of B.C. are already familiar with mandatory or compulsory PLI. Please talk with your insurance broker in order to determine if your existing policy has the appropriate insurance coverage applicable to B.C. projects. If coverage is provided for BC projects, we will accept coverage provided by captive insurers in other provinces.

It may be possible for a ‘third party’ to maintain insurance coverage for the architectural services you provide, but several conditions are necessary to ensure compliance with AIBC bylaws:

• An architect’s services must always be provided through a certificate of practice; and
• The insurance coverage must satisfy all bylaw and rules requirements, including:
  • minimum coverage thresholds ($250,000/$500,000);
  • coverage for all projects undertaken in British Columbia; and,
  • the ability to fulfil notice requirements in the event coverage lapses or falls below minimum thresholds.

While such coverage appears possible under the current PLI requirements, caution is recommended.

First, an architect not holding the policy directly is unlikely to have any control over renewal and other provisions that might affect compliance. Second, such coverage would presumably only address projects undertaken by or on behalf of the third party. The architect would not be covered for any project not covered by the policy held in other hands, and would be non-compliant by undertaking any architectural services outside of the policy coverage. Finally, in order to receive protection for claims made directly against the architect and firm under the policy, the architect will have to ensure ‘named insured’ status within the policy.

Even if the information the AIBC has on file for your firm is correct and no changes are required, Firm Administrators still need to provide confirmation that the information on record is current and accurate. To do this, Firm Administrators need to login and confirm that each section is correct.

If you are a registered Architect AIBC Owner, log into the Registrant Portal using your individual login information. The Firm Update icon will appear once you log in.

If you are a non-registrant Firm Administrator, you must first activate your account to access the AIBC Portal. An email was sent on October 7 (subject line: Action Required | 2022 Annual Firm Information Update) that provides instructions on how to activate your account and start the 2022 firm update. An instructional video is also available to assist Firm Administrators with activating their accounts for the first time.

This may impact the amount of your annual renewal invoice. Changes received after the Firm Update deadline will not be reflected in next year’s renewal dues. Please advise the AIBC of firm size changes by email at firmupdates@aibc.ca.

If you would like to change your firm name, type, or structure, please complete the Application for Architectural Firm Changes (PDF). You are not able to make these types of changes as part of the firm updates as they require review and approval by the AIBC.

When you complete the Firm Update, you will have an option to advise the AIBC that a Firm Change form has been, or will be, submitted within 30 days of your Firm Update submission. The AIBC will receive this information and update your Firm Size for Annual Fee Calculation where applicable.

AIBC Bylaw 15.3 requires all firms to complete an annual firm update by the date set for this regulatory requirement. If there are firm changes after this deadline, Firm Administrators or Architect AIBC firm owners may still log into their accounts and update the corresponding information.

A confirmation message for each firm will appear on the portal landing page after clicking “Submit”.

Failure to complete the annual firm update by the deadline will incur a fine of $100 and may result in the matter being referred to the AIBC’s professional conduct department. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact firmupdates@aibc.ca for assistance.

After logging into the AIBC Portal, you can access multiple firms that you have been assigned as a firm administrator. This list will reflect which firms have a submitted Firm Update, and which are pending submission.

Yes. If your firm’s PLI is expired, you are required to provide current PLI information, including uploading a copy of your Certificate of Insurance. If your PLI has expired and a current Certificate of Insurance is not yet available, upload communication with your insurance broker in lieu of this Certificate.