Professional Mobility

The Canadian Reciprocity Agreement enables architects registered with any of Canada’s 11 architectural regulators to obtain licensure in another province or territory. Review the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement (PDF) on the (Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) website).

You must be currently registered and be in good standing with the AIBC in order to apply for licensing with another architectural regulator in Canada. For application details, visit the website of the appropriate architectural regulator:

Alberta Association of Architects
Architects’ Association of New Brunswick / Association des architectes du Nouveau-Brunswick
Architects Association of Prince Edward Island
Architects Licensing Board of Newfoundland and Labrador
Manitoba Association of Architects
Northwest Territories Association of Architects
Nova Scotia Association of Architects
Ontario Association of Architects
Ordre des architectes du Québec
Saskatchewan Association of Architects

As part of your application, you will need to request a Confirmation of Registration to be prepared by the AIBC and sent directly to your destination jurisdiction. Please complete the Confirmation of Registration Form (PDF) and email it to registration@aibc.ca. A nominal fee will apply; see Bulletin 1: Fees, Fines and Charges.

AIBC Contact

Please contact the Registration & Licensing department at registration@aibc.ca for more information.

A Mutual Recognition Agreement (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, eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Please note that some U.S. jurisdictions have not signed this MRA; if your destination jurisdiction is not on the list of signatories, you will not be eligible to apply for reciprocal registration under the terms of this agreement.

Contact the destination jurisdiction for the application requirements. You will also need to contact NCARB to apply for an NCARB certificate. This certificate is required as part of the reciprocal registration process. Ensure you follow the instructions and obtain all additional documents necessary. As part of your application, NCARB will request a letter of good standing from the AIBC.A nominal fee will apply; see Bulletin 1: Fees, Fines and Charges.

AIBC Contact

Please contact the Registration & Licensing department at registration@aibc.ca for more information.

The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement for the International Practice of Architecture among Canada, the United States and Mexico 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 Republica Mexicana (FCARM) in Mexico to mutually recognize 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, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.

As part of your application, you will need to request a letter of good standing from the AIBC. Please email registration@aibc.ca to request this document. A nominal fee will apply; see Bulletin 1: Fees, Fines and Charges (PDF).

AIBC Contact

Please contact the Registration & Licensing department at registration@aibc.ca for more information.

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 Canada who have seven-years of post registration experience and who are recognized as Canadian APEC Architects may apply for fast-track registration in Australia or New Zealand under the terms of the Canada/Australia/New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA).

Visit the CALA website for information about the Canada/Australia/New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement. Apply to become a Canadian APEC Architect by submitting the Application for Assessment and Designation for Architects Registered/Licensed in Canada (PDF).

At this time, this agreement does not extend to other APEC countries. Registered Canadian architects who do business in Australia or New Zealand, or who wish to relocate to these countries, are encouraged to consider becoming an APEC Architect. Please be aware that APEC Architect designation applies only to individually registered architects, not to architectural practices or firms.

AIBC Contact

Please contact the Registration & Licensing department at registration@aibc.ca for more information.

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 will come into force by 2020, gives 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 shall be registered, licensed or otherwise recognized, and be a member in good standing in their home jurisdiction. They 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.

How to Apply

The implementation date of the MRA is projected to be by 2020. Architects interested in pursuing the opportunity for licensure outside of their home country should review the eligibility requirements and program information. Detailed information on how-to apply will be available on the CALA website shortly.