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A new mutual recognition agreement with Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada / Regroupement des Ordres d’Architectes du Canada (ROAC) means that registration for eligible architects will now be quicker and easier.
Who is eligible to use the new route?
We have agreed that ARB-accredited qualifications and/or successful completion of the ARB Prescribed Examinations in the UK will be in scope. Similarly, qualifications which are accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) and non-accredited qualifications which have been assessed and certified by CACB as meeting the Canadian Educational standard endorsed by ROAC will be in scope. Individuals who have joined the UK Register through the EU route to registration, or another MRA or memorandum of understanding (MOU) are outside the scope of the agreement.
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UK to Canada
UK to Canada applicants need to hold either:
- a current ARB certificate confirming successful completion of ARB accredited qualifications issued by schools of architecture in the UK at Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 level,
or,
- a current ARB certificate confirming successful completion of the ARB Prescribed Examination at Part 1 and/or Part 2 level and ARB accredited Part 1, and/or Part 2 qualifications, and an ARB accredited Part 3 qualification and be registered and in good standing with ARB.
Applicants should first check to determine whether they have qualifications that are within scope of the agreement.
No nationality/citizenship requirements apply under the agreement, but it is the responsibility of applicants to obtain the relevant visas and/or work permits as are required in the locality in which they are seeking to be licensed/registered i.e. Canada or the United Kingdom.
Canada to UK
Canada to UK applicants require a current ROAC Certificate which confirms successful completion of:
- the Education Requirement (either a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board or a professional degree or diploma in architecture from a non-accredited institution which has been assessed and certified by CACB as meeting the Canadian Educational Standard);
and;
- the Experience Requirement: the Internship in Architecture Program (‘IAP’), or its predecessor the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB);
and;
- the Examination Requirement: passed the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) or its equivalent.
No nationality/citizenship requirements apply under the agreement, but it is the responsibility of applicants to obtain the relevant visas and/or work permits as are required in the locality in which they are seeking to be licensed/registered i.e. Canada or the United Kingdom.
UK to Canada
1
Confirm eligibility
Review the eligibility criteria on the ARB website and contact ROAC to begin the certificate application process.
Who: Applicant | Queries: ARB
2
Complete the ARB certificate application form
Having checked that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can complete your ARB certificate application form on the ARB portal. It usually takes around seven working days to process a certificate request and can take longer during periods of high demand. Please ensure you leave sufficient time for your request to be processed.
There is a fee of £80 payable to ARB for provision of a certificate.
Who: Applicant | Queries: ARB
3
ARB Certification
ARB will review your application and your qualifications. ARB will formally confirm that you are registered with ARB, are in good standing, and meet the relevant MRA requirements by issuing a certificate. Once ARB issues your certificate you will need to contact and send it to ROAC to begin the ROAC application process.
Who: ARB| Queries: ARB
4
Complete your application process with ROAC
Once ARB has issued your certificate to you, and you have forwarded it to ROAC they will then contact you with details on the next steps to have your ROAC certificate sent to the Canadian province or territory where you are seeking registration. As part of the application process, you must complete four online modules covering practice areas specific to Canada such as seismic and climate-related code requirements. All four modules are less than 10 hours in total. There will be a brief knowledge check after each module. Comprehensive resource lists are also available in the modules for independent review and reference.
Who: ARB | Queries: ARB
Canada to UK
1
Confirm eligibility
Review the eligibility criteria on the ROAC website, and contact ROAC to begin the application process.
Who: Applicant | Queries: ROAC
2
Contact ROAC
ROAC will issue a certificate to qualifying applicants and you will then need to send a copy of your certificate to ARB to begin the application process.
Who: ROAC | Queries: ROAC
3
UK Adaptation Assessment
ARB will review your ROAC Certificate before contacting you with information about the UK Adaptation Assessment (UKAA). All Canada to UK architects must undertake and pass the UKAA in order to demonstrate the ability to practise safely and effectively in the UK. At this point, you will be required to pay the UKAA fee of £2,950. Further details can be found on our UK Adaptation Assessment webpage.
Who: ARB | Queries: ARB
4
Registration
Having passed the UK Adaptation Assessment, you will then be eligible to make an application to join the UK Register of Architects. Successful applicants will be provided with information on how to proceed when notified of the outcome of their UK Adaptation Assessment. You can learn more about registering for the first time here.
Who: Applicant | Queries: ARB
ARB ROAC FAQs
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What does ROAC do?
The Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada / Regroupement des Ordres d’Architectes du Canada (ROAC) represents the 11 provincial and territorial regulators of the profession of architecture in Canada. These regulatory bodies are responsible for setting the standards for entry into the profession and for issuing registration/licenses to those who meet established standards of qualifications and practice. These regulators individually regulate the practice of architecture so that the public interest is protected within their respective province or territory.
Through ROAC, the Canadian architectural regulators work collectively to develop and adopt nationally recognized standards and programs which meet their regulatory responsibilities as well as the needs of the architectural profession.
For more details visit the ROAC website.
Are all architectural regulators in Canada participating in the agreement?
Yes, all 11 Canadian provincial and territorial architectural regulators are participating in the agreement.
How much does making an application to ARB under the MRA cost for Canadian architects?
Applicants initially need to apply to ROAC for a certificate, for which a fee may be payable. Applicants will need to check with ROAC for more information on how to apply for a certificate. There is a fee of £2,950 for the ARB UK Adaptation Assessment.
Successful applicants will then need to pay ARB’s usual registration fee when applying to join the Register. Fees vary according to the time of year in which the application is made and are published on the ARB website.
What does it cost for a UK architect to seek recognition with ROAC?
ARB will issue a certificate to UK architects seeking recognition, which will cost £80.00. UK architects will need to contact ROAC for details of the fees for recognition in Canada on receipt of the ARB certificate. There will additionally be fees to register in the province or territory of Canada in which architects wish to practise. ROAC will be able to advise further on this.
Is ARB able to assist with requirements relating to visas and work permits?
We are unable to provide advice on these matters. Please see the UK Government’s information resource here.
I’m an EU-qualified architect who has joined the register through the EU route to registration. As I’m a UK architect, can I make use of the MRA?
The MRA does not accommodate UK architects who have joined the UK Register through another reciprocal agreement, such as that operated for EU applicants, so you will not be eligible to make use of the MRA.
I’ve completed a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board or had my professional degree or diploma in architecture from a non-accredited institution assessed and certified by CACB as meeting the Canadian Educational Standard in Canada, but have not completed the Internship in Architecture Program (‘IAP’), or its predecessor the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB) and the Examination for Architects in Canada (‘ExAC’) or its equivalent needed to qualify for ROAC certification, can I still have my qualification recognised under the agreement?
The MRA accommodates only those who have fulfilled all of the requirements to qualify for ROAC certification and does not provide for the ‘freestanding’ recognition of a Canadian professional degree in architecture. Individuals who have completed a Canadian professional degree will need to either fulfil the additional requirements necessary to secure a ROAC certificate, or apply for recognition through ARB’s Prescribed Examination route, and additionally undertake a UK Part 3 qualification through a UK school of architecture.
I have a UK degree and/or master’s qualification in architecture and/or have passed the ARB Prescribed Examination, but I am not registered with ARB, am I eligible to have these qualifications recognised by ROAC?
Only registered architects who have obtained Part 1 and 2 either from providers of ARB-accredited qualifications or through the Prescribed Examination/s, and hold an ARB accredited Part 3 qualification, fall within the scope of the MRA. This means you will not be eligible under the MRA.
Where can I see the full text of the agreement?
The full text of the signed agreement can be read here.