Registrant Resources

Please see Become an Architect AIBC for application instructions and forms.

Confirmation of registration with the AIBC is available to architects applying for registration or licensure with another jurisdiction.

Please complete the Confirmation of Registration Form (PDF) and email it to the Registration and Licensing Department at registration@aibc.ca. The AIBC will forward confirmation of your registration to the jurisdiction to which you are applying. Please allow up to eight business days for processing.

Architects who are registered with the AIBC and who want to practise within the scope defined by the Architects Act must do so under a Certificate of Practice (licence). As an Architect AIBC, you must either apply for and obtain a Certificate of Practice yourself, or you must work for a person, partnership or firm that holds a current Certificate of Practice. See Architectural Firms; for details on the types of firms under which architects may practise architecture.

• Application to Register a New Architectural Corporation (PDF)
• Application to Register a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership (PDF)

Please note: all architectural firms, members and licensees holding a certificate of practice must also hold professional liability insurance (PLI), and comply with applicable AIBC Bylaws and Rules. For further information regarding PLI, including coverage amount requirements, review Council Rules 8: Terms and Conditions for Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance and the FAQ webpage.

Architects registered with the AIBC may apply for an architect’s seal. “Seal” refers to either the traditional embossed seal or the inked “stamp”, as well as the use of an electronic seal.

An architect’s seal is a representation to the public that the architect who applied it not only takes responsibility for the document, but that the document was prepared by that architect or under their direct supervision, direction or control.

• • Bulletin 61: Seal of an Architect (PDF)
  • Bulletin 60: Signature, Seal and Delivery of Electronic Documents (PDF)
  • Seal + Stamp Application Form (PDF)

Architects in good standing may voluntarily resign from the AIBC in writing at any time. You must be up-to-date with your annual renewal fees to be able to resign in good standing. Once resigned, names of former architects will be removed from the AIBC Register.

Please complete the Resignation, Retirement Request – Architect AIBC (PDF) and email it to the Registration and Licensing Department at registration@aibc.ca.

Should you resign, you may apply for reinstatement as an Architect AIBC at a later date. You may also choose to opt-in to receive AIBC email communications.

Please review Bulletin 5: Resignation of Registration (PDF).

It is important to note that former architects may not:

• Use the title Architect AIBC following their name.
• Provide any services for buildings requiring the services of an architect. For more information, read Bulletin 31: Buildings Requiring the Services of an Architect (PDF).

Process for resigning your registration as an Architect AIBC:

1. Send a written notice of your intent. Please complete the Resignation, Retirement Request – Architect AIBC (PDF) and email it to the Registration and Licensing Department at registration@aibc.ca
2. Resignation means that your registration as an Architect AIBC will be terminated by the date that you requested or as of February 1, the end of the registration year.Once the registration status is terminated, there will be no subsequent annual fees incurred.For those who resign and apply for Retired Architect AIBC status, there is an annual fee required for this associate registration. Please see Recognition of Long-Standing Registration to determine if you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
3. Return your stamp or seal to the Institute, if you were issued one. If these were misplaced, a signed and witnessed letter of undertaking is required (see template in section 6 of Bulletin 5: Resignation of Registration (PDF).
4. If you hold a Certificate of Practice:
   • You must close your firm.
   • Provide written notice of your intent to close your firm along with a statement that the firm has met all professional obligations or identify the Certificate of Practice holder that is assuming those obligations. This information can be included in your resignation notice.
   • Return the Certificate of Practice or if misplaced, provide a letter of undertaking per template in section 6 of Bulletin 5: Resignation of Registration (PDF). You may use one letter for misplaced stamps/seals/Certificate of Practice.

5. If you are a shareholder or partner in an architectural firm:
   • Consider the effects the resignation may have on the firm’s compliance with Section 26 of the Act. It is recommended to plan ahead of the resignation/retirement to ensure that the firm continues to comply with the requirements of the Act.
   • It is the responsibility of the firm to ensure continued compliance and it may be necessary for the firm to submit an application for a change in the firm’s name and ownership structure for approval by the AIBC.

If you would like to resign and then apply to become a Retired Architect AIBC, please visit the Retired Architects web pages for more information about your options and the process for resignation.

An Architect AIBC may cease to be registered through voluntary resignation, non-payment of annual fees, or suspension and removal related to disciplinary action. Your eligibility, requirements and processes for reinstatement of registration vary in each circumstance.

In all cases, your reinstatement becomes official only after you have paid the current application and annual fee, and your application has been reviewed by the Registration and Licensing Board and approved by AIBC Council.

• Bulletin 2: Reinstatement of Registration (PDF)
• Reinstatement Application Form (PDF)
• Photo Identification Form (PDF)

If you have any questions regarding the reinstatement process, please contact the Registration & Licensing department at registration@aibc.ca.

Applicants whose application for registration or licensing has been recommended for rejection by the Registration Board may apply for a review. Learn more about the Process for Review of Registration Board Recommendations.

Architects registered with the AIBC are required to pay annual fees. Fees are determined annually by the AIBC Council and published in Bulletin 1: Fees, Fines and Charges.

As set in the Architects Act, February 1 is the annual deadline for renewal of registration and payment of fees. Find detailed information, including payment instructions, on the AIBC’s Annual Renewal page.

In the event of financial hardship, family leave and/or medical disability, you can apply to the AIBC for a reduction or full waiver of your annual renewal fees. This may permit you to retain your registration and meet your professional responsibilities for a period of time without requiring you to resign due to personal circumstances and have to later seek reinstatement.

Further information, including the application form, is available in Bulletin 3: Waiver or Reduction of Annual Renewal Fee (PDF).

As an architect registered with the AIBC, you are required to comply with the AIBC’s mandatory Continuing Education System (CES). The purpose of the CES is to require the ongoing professional development of architects to remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods and materials throughout their careers, in the public interest.

To learn more about the AIBC’s CES requirements and resources, see the Continuing Education System (CES) webpage.

The New Registrant Information Package (Architect AIBC) outlines certain regulatory requirements to which new registrants of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia should be knowledgeable. It also includes a resources section which provides an outline of AIBC communication and social media channels, signature events and more. While it is intended for new registrants, the information is also applicable to all Architects AIBC, as a refresher.

View the New Registrant Information Package (Architect AIBC).

The AIBC relies on the invaluable contributions of volunteers to support the regulation of architecture in British Columbia. A range of volunteer opportunities are available to registrants and qualified members of the public. For current openings, see Volunteer Opportunities.

Mentorship is a rewarding way to contribute to the profession by providing guidance and support to individuals on the path to registration as an Architect AIBC. For current openings, see Volunteer Opportunities.

Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)

This is an opportunity for Architects AIBC and Retired Architects AIBC to serve as a professional mentor for an Intern Architect AIBC. Mentorship is an invaluable service to professionals at the start of their career, and fulfills an important requirement of the Internship in Architecture Program. By advising, guiding and encouraging their mentee, mentors can help shape the future of the profession and participate in a relationship with long-lasting mutual benefits.

The mentor acts as an independent and objective guide, advisor, and advocate for the intern. Mentorship meetings include a review of experience progress, consideration of career objectives, discussion of broader issues related to the profession, and meeting the registration requirements. To ensure objectivity and a diversity of practice exposure for the intern, mentors may not be from the same place of employment as the intern architect.

Prospective mentors seeking additional information regarding their potential participation in the IAP can review the AIBC’s Supervising Architect and Mentor Guidelines (PDF).

Alternative Qualifications (BEA/BEFA)

There are also opportunities to mentor alternative qualifications applicants. These candidates either already have extensive local work experience, or are foreign-trained architects, or a combination of both. Mentors act as a resource providing general advice about the registration process within the AIBC.

Supervising architects assist intern architects in accumulating the necessary range of practical architectural experience for registration. Under their personal supervision and guidance within the same architectural firm, organization or practice, the supervising architect oversees the daily work of the intern architect and is expected to review the intern architect’s logbooks periodically, as well as provide constructive feedback and advice.

Prospective supervisors seeking additional information regarding their potential participation in the IAP can review the AIBC’s Supervising Architect and Mentor Guidelines (PDF).

It is your professional responsibility to keep your records up to date with us. You can update your contact information at any time by logging in to the AIBC’s secure registrant site.

Every summer, the AIBC also sends a mid-year reminder to registrants to review and update their information.