Registrant Resources

Employment in an architectural firm is not mandatory at the time of application to the IAP. However, you will need employment to progress through the work experience requirements of the IAP. More information about suitable work experience scenarios can be found in the Internship in Architecture Program Manual (PDF) and Appendix B: Specific Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) Requirements (PDF).

Prior to accepting employment, it is your responsibility to ensure that the position offered will provide the required scope of experience, and that the experience situation will meet the approval of the AIBC. Intern architects seeking employment are encouraged to monitor the Job Opportunities listing on the AIBC web site. You can also research architectural firms by viewing member firm profiles and web sites available through the AIBC’s searchable online directory.

If during the course of the IAP you change your employer, please notify the AIBC and submit a new letter of confirmation.

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

A mentor must be selected and confirmed at the time of application to the IAP. Please see Find a Mentor.

Throughout your internship, you should be meeting with your mentor for regular reviews of experience progress, discussion of career objectives and broader issues related to the profession.

If during the course of the IAP you change your mentor, please notify the AIBC and submit a new letter of confirmation.

Effective July 1, 2020, the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) Manual was launched nationally. In November 2020, Appendix B of the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) Manual was revised to align with the current national IAP Manual.

• Intern Architects AIBC enrolled as of July 1, 2020 are required to submit their CERBs using the IAP Manual – Fourth Edition (PDF) and can do so online through the new AIBC Registrant Portal.  All previous CERB submissions submitted by email will be continued to be reviewed, and approved hours will be reported through the online periodic assessment form, which is available on the AIBC Registrant Portal. For instructions on submitting your CERB online please review the CERB Submission Quick Guide.

Resource Documents

• IAP Manual – Fourth Edition (PDF)
• Appendix B of the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) Manual (PDF)
• Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB) – Fourth Edition (PDF)

Before they can apply for registration as an Architect AIBC, Intern Architects AIBC and Broadly Experienced Applicant (BEA) candidates are required to attend, in full, a minimum number of professional development courses to ensure competency. To review the requirements that apply to Intern Architects AIBC and BEA candidates, see the Ongoing Courses webpage.

In August 2022, the AIBC launched the Online Courses Portal, which allows individuals to take courses virtually.

• Register for courses online

Intern Architects AIBC are required to complete the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC). For more information, please visit the ExAC website.

Before you can apply for registration as an architect, you must successfully complete the AIBC oral exam. The oral exam assesses the candidate’s ability to synthesize their knowledge, experience, and professional judgment into competent architectural practice in British Columbia.

The oral exam was the result of an extensive project that explored the feasibility of administering the (former) Oral Review online and in-person, as well as examining how to strengthen the principles of fairness, validity, and reliability, in both delivery methods.

Please refer to the Oral Exam Candidate Guidebook (PDF) for detailed information on eligibility requirements, exam protocols and information.

Application Process

The oral exam is offered at least three times per year. The AIBC announces the opening of each application period through email and the website. To learn more about the application process, please review the “Applying for the Oral Exam” section of the Oral Exam Candidate Guidebook (PDF).

For detailed information and to apply for your oral exam, see the Oral Exam: Application Form (PDF).

2024 Oral Exam Schedule

• Winter (Virtual Delivery)
  Oral Exam Dates: March 25 – April 30
  Application Open Date: January 31
  Application Close Date: February 16
  Experience Hours Due: February 16

• Spring (In-Person Delivery)
  Oral Exam Dates: June 17–July 12
  Application Open Date: April 22
  Application Close Date: May 10
  Experience Hours Due: May 10

• Fall (Virtual Delivery)
  Oral Exam Dates: October 1–31
  Application Open Date: August 5
  Application Close Date: August 23
  Experience Hours Due: August 23

Oral Exam Workshop

The AIBC hosts a complimentary Oral Exam Preparation Workshop before each oral exam. Attendance is highly recommended for all Intern Architects AIBC and Broadly Experienced Applicant (BEA) candidates. Mentors of intern architects are also welcome. Candidates will be emailed directly with specific dates, registration details, and additional information.

Reference Documents

• Oral Exam Candidate Guidebook

Registration with the AIBC as an intern architect requires you to be enrolled in the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP). See Apply to IAP for information and application instructions.

Upon successful completion of national and provincial requirements, intern architects are eligible to apply for registration as an architect. The application package must include:

• Completed Application for Registration – Following Completion of the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) (PDF), including payment information for application and annual fees.
• Photo Identification Form (PDF) (if photo on file is more than five years old)
• If you have not completed all of the mandatory courses include the Undertaking and Covenant by Intern Architects AIBC and Broadly Experienced Applicants for Registration as Architect AIBC with your application.

Fees Due upon Application by Way of IAP

When submitting an application you must pay an application fee plus the prorated annual fee, which is dependent on the date your application is submitted. Please review the Prorated Annual Fees for Registrations document (PDF).

For more information about application and annual fees due upon application to the AIBC, please refer to:

• AIBC Bylaws (PDF)
• Schedule B: Fees (PDF)
• Prorated Annual Fees for Registrations (PDF)
• Annual Renewal webpage

Intern 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. If you resign part way through the year after having paid your annual fee, you will be eligible for a partial refund.

If you would like to resign, please review your options in Bulletin 5: Resignation of Registration (PDF). To proceed with your resignation from the AIBC please complete the Registration Cancellation: Retired Architect, Intern Architect, or Architectural Technologist AIBC (PDF) and email it to the Registration and Licensing Department at registration@aibc.ca.

An intern architect 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 it has been approved by the Credentials Committee.

• AIBC Bylaws 4.16 and 4.25
• Internship in Architecture Program Application Form (PDF)
• Reinstatement of Registration: Information for Applicants (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 (PDF).

As set in the AIBC Bylaws, fees must be paid by February 1. The fees are determined annually by the AIBC Board and published in Schedule B: Fees, found in the AIBC Bylaws.

More information, including payment instructions, is available on the the Annual Renewal page.

In the event of financial hardship, family leave and/or medical disability, you can apply to the AIBC for a 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.

More information is available in Schedule N: Fee Waiver Administrative Guidelines, found in the AIBC Bylaws (PDF), and the Fee Waiver Application Form.

This bursary, which is a $1,000 credit at the AIBC, is awarded to an Intern Architect AIBC who is in good standing, and has demonstrated the financial need and intention to become a registered Architect AIBC. Application period starts in March and closes in April.

For more information, see Scholarship & Bursary Program.

It is your professional responsibility to keep your records up to date with us. You can update your contact information by logging in to AIBC’s secure Registrant Portal.

In July 2023, new functionality was added to the CERB submission process for the Internship in Architecture Program in the Registrant Portal. To see an overview of the features, watch the below video tutorials. If you experience any technological issues with your CERB submission, please e-mail iap@aibc.ca and our support team will assist.

CERB Submission Tutorials

• Intern Architect Perspective
• Experience Reviewer Perspective
• Supervising Architect Perspective
• Mentor Perspective