Licensing guide · Manitoba

How to Become an Architect in Manitoba

Last checked October 10, 20266 sources checkedNOC 21200

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with the Manitoba Association of Architects to work as an architect in Manitoba or to use a protected title.

Protected titles: Not listed in the sources checked

Show the source

“To practice a regulated occupation, you must apply for registration with the appropriate regulatory body or regulator. … Architect Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA)”

From immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status: Licence required See the source
Routes: Licensed in another province: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $367.50

Trained outside Canada: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $367.50 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
Annual fees: Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Licensed in another province

Listed one-time fees: $367.50
2 steps without a listed fee

Complete application and declaration
The applicant completes the application for registered membership and a declaration confirming knowledge of local laws, conditions and practice requirements.
- Application fee: $367.50
  Source
  “An application fee of $367.50”
  mbarchitects.org/applicants-licenced-elsewhere-in-canada
Source
“Applicants will need to complete the following documents: Application for Registered Membership ... Declaration Form”
mbarchitects.org/applicants-licenced-elsewhere-in-canada
Arrange confirmation of licence
The applicant has the jurisdiction where they are currently licensed complete and certify a Confirmation of Licence form and send it directly to the MAA.

Source
“A Confirmation of Licence form must be completed and certified by the jurisdiction in which the applicant is currently licenced and from which the applicant is applying. The Confirmation form must be sent to the MAA directly from that jurisdiction.”
mbarchitects.org/applicants-licenced-elsewhere-in-canada
Review governing documents
The applicant reviews the Architects Act, MAA By-Laws, Code of Ethics, Builders' Lien Act and the Manitoba amendments to the national building, energy and fire codes.

Source
“Applicants will need to review the following documents: The Architects Act, MAA By-Laws, Code of Ethics, Builders' Lien Act, Manitoba Amendments to National Building Code of Canada, Manitoba Amendments to National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, Manitoba Amendments to National Fire Code of Canada”
mbarchitects.org/applicants-licenced-elsewhere-in-canada

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $367.50

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$367.50	100%
One-time total	$367.50	100%

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

Listed one-time fees: $367.50
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
1 step without a listed fee

Complete application and declaration
The applicant completes the application for registered membership and a declaration confirming knowledge of local laws, conditions and practice requirements.
- Application fee: $367.50
  Source
  “An application fee of $367.50”
  mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants
Source
“Applicants will need to complete the following documents: Application for Registered Membership ... Declaration Form”
mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants
Transmit NCARB Council Record
The applicant has their NCARB Council Record transmitted directly to the MAA office.
- Review fee: $500 (USD)
  Source
  “A review fee of $500.00 USD must also be forwarded by the applicant, directly to the MAA office.”
  mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants
Source
“The NCARB Council Record must be transmitted directly to the MAA office.”
mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants
Review governing documents
The applicant reviews the Architects Act, MAA By-Laws, Code of Ethics, Builders' Lien Act and the Manitoba amendments to the national building, energy and fire codes.

Source
“Applicants will need to review the following documents: The Architects Act, MAA By-Laws, Code of Ethics, Builders' Lien Act, Manitoba Amendments to National Building Code of Canada, Manitoba Amendments to National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings, Manitoba Amendments to National Fire Code of Canada”
mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $367.50

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$367.50	100%
One-time total	$367.50	100%

1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total.

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Other listed fees

The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.

Temporary licence application fee: $787.50
Source
“Please attach an application fee of $787.50 and the required confirmation letters with the application.”
mbarchitects.org/obtain-a-temporary-licence

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Good character

Applicants must provide evidence of good character.
Source
“Evidence of good character.”
mbarchitects.org/registered-members

Other

Applicants must provide proof of completion of education, experience and examination requirements.
Source
“Proof of completion of Education, Experience and Examination requirements.”
mbarchitects.org/registered-members
Applicants must provide a legal declaration of having knowledge of documents governing the practice of architecture in Manitoba.
Source
“A legal declaration of having knowledge of documents governing the practice of architecture in Manitoba.”
mbarchitects.org/registered-members

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

Under the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement, an architect licensed in another Canadian province or territory can be registered by submitting an application, attesting to knowledge of local laws, and paying the required fees, with no additional exam or assessment.

Source

“Each jurisdiction in Canada has agreed to license/register an Architect who is licensed/registered in another province or territory, who meets the conditions set out below.”

mbarchitects.org/reciprocity

Submit application
Source
“Complete and submit to the province/territory an application for license/registration in the standard form”
mbarchitects.org/reciprocity
Attest to knowledge of laws
Source
“Obtain and attest to sufficient knowledge of the laws governing the profession of architecture in the province/territory in which the application is being made and comply with the laws”
mbarchitects.org/reciprocity
Pay required fees
Source
“Pay the required fees”
mbarchitects.org/reciprocity

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Exams

Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with MAA

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 21200, Architects. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Manitoba and Canada
Where	Low	Median	High	Outlook
Manitoba	$22.50	$41.03	$62.50	Good (4 of 5)
Canada	$26.44	$38.94	$74.52	—

Wages by region and job outlook in Manitoba

Wages in every province and territory

Architects in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 10 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

British Columbia Licence required
Alberta Licence required
Saskatchewan 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

Compare architect licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

Regulated Occupations | Manitoba Immigration immigratemanitoba.com/life/regulated-occupations · fetched October 10, 2026
Applicants Licenced Elsewhere in Canada | Manitoba Association of Architects mbarchitects.org/applicants-licenced-elsewhere-in-canada · fetched October 10, 2026
Applicants under The Mutual Recognition Agreement with NCARB | Manitoba Association of Architects mbarchitects.org/inter-recognition-applicants · fetched October 10, 2026
Registered Members | Manitoba Association of Architects mbarchitects.org/registered-members · fetched October 10, 2026
Obtain a Temporary Licence | Manitoba Association of Architects mbarchitects.org/obtain-a-temporary-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
Reciprocity | Manitoba Association of Architects mbarchitects.org/reciprocity · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a licence to work as an architect in Manitoba?

Yes. Registration with the Manitoba Association of Architects is required to practise in Manitoba.

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