Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)

Applicants currently registered in good standing with another architectural regulator in Canada may seek registration with the AIBC under the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement. Review the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement.

To apply to the AIBC under Canadian reciprocity:

1. You will need your “home” jurisdiction to provide a Confirmation of Registration. Please contact your architectural regulator to forward the confirmation document directly to the AIBC. A nominal fee may apply.
2. You will also need to submit the following:
   • Application for Canadian Reciprocity (PDF)
   • Photograph Identification Form (PDF)
   • Payment Remittance form (PDF) for application and annual fees. Only accepted as a hard copy.

For more information, contact the Registration and Licensing Department at registration@aibc.ca.

Note that there are two different Mutual Recognition Agreements that may qualify architects from the U.S. to apply for registration with the AIBC.

United States/Canadian Reciprocity

An MRA is in place between the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) for reciprocal registration of architects between many U.S. states and territories and all 11 Canadian jurisdictions. Learn more about the Canada/United States Mutual Recognition Agreement on the CALA website, including the list of participating U.S. State Licensing Boards.

Please note that some U.S. jurisdictions have not signed this MRA; if your principal place of practice is a U.S. jurisdiction that is not on the list of signatories, you will not be eligible to apply to the AIBC under the terms of this agreement.

If you are eligible and would like to apply to the AIBC under this MRA, you will need to complete and submit the following:

• Application for Registration: United States/Canadian Reciprocity (PDF)
• Payment Remittance form (PDF) for application and annual fees. Only accepted as a hard copy.

Please ensure you follow the instructions and obtain all additional documents necessary. If you have any questions, email registration@aibc.ca.

Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement

The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement for the International Practice of Architecture among Canada, the United States and Mexico, known as the ‘Tri-National Agreement’, is an agreement between the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the U.S. and the Federación de Colegios de Arquitectos de la República Mexicana (FCARM) in Mexico. The agreement enables mutual recognition of architect credentials in the three countries, making it possible for architects to work across all North American borders.

Learn about the Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement on the CALA website (cala-roac.ca), including eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Canada is a participant in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Architect Project, which assists with the facilitation of registration arrangements for members in good standing in their jurisdiction. Architects in New Zealand and Australia who are recognized as APEC Architects in their home economies may apply for fast-track registration in Canadian jurisdictions under the terms of the Canada/Australia/New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Those seeking to be APEC Architects must have at least seven years of post-registration experience. At this time, this agreement does not extend to other APEC countries. Please be aware that the APEC Architect designation applies only to individually registered architects, not to architectural practices or firms.

Visit the CALA website (cala-roac.ca) for information about the Canada/Australia/New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement, including eligibility requirements and application forms for assessment and interview by the Canadian APEC Architect Monitoring Committee.

The Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities-Architects’ Council of Europe Mutual Recognition Agreement (CALA-ACE MRA) was signed by architectural regulatory authorities of Canada and the European Union on October 26, 2018. This new MRA, which should come into force in 2020, will give architects the opportunity to work across the Atlantic.

Qualified architects from each country who satisfy the requirements of the agreement will be granted a credential that will lead to a licence to practise architecture in the host country.

This pact outlines specific requirements that architects must satisfy when pursuing mutual recognition. These include education, internship and work qualifications, as well as submitting documentation to confirm the individual’s credentials.

The basic eligibility requirements include:

• A qualified architect from the EU and Canada must be registered, licensed or otherwise recognized, and be a member in good standing in their home jurisdiction. The architect must have completed a minimum of 12 years of education, training, and practice in the field of architecture, in one or more of the states, provinces or territories of their home jurisdiction, of which a minimum of four years shall be post-registration/licensure experience;
• Proof of “Good Standing” in the home jurisdiction, as verified by the local regulatory authority;
• Knowledge of the codes, laws, and other matters applicable to the practice of architecture in the host country;
• Mobility across borders in the European Union and across provinces and territories in Canada and;
• European architects seeking licensure in Canada must complete a 10-hour online course on Canadian domain-specific requirements in architecture.

Any architect who obtained authorization to practice in Canada or in the EU by way of any other MRA is not eligible under this MRA.

How to Apply

The implementation date of the MRA is projected to take place in 2020. Architects interested in pursuing the opportunity for licensure outside of their home country should review the eligibility requirements and program information. Once the MRA is implemented, detailed information on how to apply will be available on the CALA website. Applications will not be accepted or reviewed prior to implementation.