How to Become an Architect in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Alberta Association of Architects to work as an architect in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Under Alberta’s Architects Act [pdf] and Architects Act General Regulation [pdf], registration with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) is mandatory.”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Licensed in another province: 1 step
- Trained outside Canada: 2 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant obtains academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board after completing an approved master’s degree in architecture or equivalent.
Source
“Academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect -
The applicant registers with the AAA as an intern architect.
Source
“To become an intern architect (IA), you need:”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect -
The applicant completes the required supervised work experience hours, passes the ExAC or NCARB exam, completes the Architects Act Course, and has an oral interview with the AAA.
Source
“3,720 hours of approved work experience at an AAA registered firm or corporation and directly supervised by a Registered Architect who is not your mentor Successful completion of the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) or the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) exam Successful completion of the AAA Architects Act Course A successful oral interview with the AAA”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect -
After meeting all requirements, the applicant registers as an architect (RA) with the AAA.
Source
“To register as an architect (RA) in Alberta, you need:”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with AAA
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 1 done
- 1 step without a listed fee
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An architect registered in another Canadian jurisdiction contacts the AAA or visits its website to find out about registration eligibility.
Source
“For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the AAA website.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with AAA
1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
An internationally educated architect may become certified through the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects program, after which the AAA will process their application without further vetting.
Source
“With BEFA certification, AAA will process an architect application without further vetting.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect -
Architects not eligible for BEFA obtain academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board before applying to the AAA intern architect program.
Source
“Those who are not eligible for BEFA need to obtain Academic Certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) before applying for the AAA intern architect program.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with AAA
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
To become an intern architect, the applicant needs an approved master’s degree in architecture or equivalent.
Source
“An approved master’s degree in architecture or equivalent”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architectTo become an intern architect, the applicant needs academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.
Source
“Academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Experience
To register as an architect, the applicant needs 3,720 hours of approved work experience at an AAA registered firm, supervised by a Registered Architect who is not their mentor.
Source
“3,720 hours of approved work experience at an AAA registered firm or corporation and directly supervised by a Registered Architect who is not your mentor”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Other
To register as an architect, the applicant needs an intern architect designation.
To register as an architect, the applicant needs an acceptable Registered Architect mentor.
Source
“An acceptable Registered Architect mentor”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The page says architects registered and in good standing elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta, but does not state whether extra steps are required. Source
“Architects who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory body elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta.”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Exams
-
Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)
Source
“Successful completion of the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) or the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) exam”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect -
AAA Architects Act Course
Source
“Successful completion of the AAA Architects Act Course”
alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with AAA
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $29.76 | $45.69 | $69.26 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.44 | $38.94 | $74.52 | — |
Architects in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Licence required
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Architect: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/architect · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an architect in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with the Alberta Association of Architects is required to practise in Alberta.
Which exams are required?
Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC), AAA Architects Act Course.
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