Skills, Education, and Experience
Skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Innovative, imaginative, creative
- Detail-oriented
- Good spatial perception
- Computer aided design
- Drafting (CADD) programs
Sources: WorkBC and Career Cruising
Education and Experience
To work as an architect in BC you usually require:
- A post-secondary education certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board or recognized equivalent
- Internship or significant prior work experience
- Completion of the architect registration examination
- Registration with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
More information:
Qualifications
This occupation is regulated in British Columbia.
In order to practice as an architect in B.C., registration with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is mandatory.
There are three different pathways to register as an architect in BC, depending on your level of education and experience.
Internship in Architecture Program (IAP):
The most common route to becoming an architect in BC is through the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP), which is suitable for those who have never been registered as an architect, or who have been registered outside of Canada in a foreign jurisdiction for seven years or less.
More information:
Internationally Trained and Accredited Architects
Mutual Recognition Agreement:
If you are an architect already registered in another jurisdiction outside British Columbia, you may be eligible to apply for registration with the AIBC under the terms of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Qualification requirements vary for each MRA.
Alternative Qualifications:
The AIBC provides two alternative paths to certification for internationally trained architects who do not qualify under a Mutual Recognition Agreement or Internship in Partnership Program.
Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Program:
The BEFA Program streamlines the licensing through a three-step process that includes a review of your eligibility, an on-line assessment, and an interview with registered architects. The program is administered by the Canadian Architecture Certification Board (CACB)
Broadly Experienced Applicant (BEA) Program:
Through the BEA Program, the AIBC assesses your qualifications and experience for equivalency and can register individuals who demonstrate they meet admission standards through alternative qualifications.
More information: