Licensing guide · Northwest Territories

How to Become an Architect in Northwest Territories

Last checked October 10, 20263 sources checkedNOC 21200

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

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

Protected titles: Not listed in the sources checked

Show the source

“All persons providing or advertising architectural services are required to be registered and permitted to practice by the NWTAA, which establishes and upholds the standards of practice for all architects in the Northwest Territories.”

From nwtaa.ca, checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status: Licence required See the source
Routes: Trained in Canada: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $300 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)

Licensed in another province: 4 steps, listed one-time fees $300 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)

Trained outside Canada: 3 steps, listed one-time fees $300 (1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total)
Annual fees: Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
Source
“Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Your roadmap

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

Trained in Canada

Listed one-time fees: $300
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
2 steps without a listed fee
Annual fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)

Complete internship program
The applicant must have successfully completed a Canadian internship program or a similar qualifier.

Source
“First-Time Applicant - A person who has successfully completed a Canadian internship program (or similar qualifier) and who has not yet attained a practicing licence in any Canadian jurisdiction.”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Pay application and registration fees
After Council approves the application, the Executive Director sends an invoice and the applicant pays the application and registration fees.
- Application Fees: $300
  Source
  “The one-time Application Fees are $300 per applicant.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
- Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
  Source
  “Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
Source
“Once the application is approved by Council, the applicant will be sent an invoice by the Executive Director and the applicant can pay for both the Application and Registration fees at the same time.”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Complete reading requirement
Within one year of registration, the architect must complete a reading requirement and submit a declaration to that effect.

Source
“All registered Architects have 1 year from their date of registration to complete a reading requirement and submit a declaration to that effect”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $300

One-time fees listed for Trained in Canada, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$300	100%
One-time total	$300	100%

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

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

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
Source
“Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

Listed one-time fees: $300
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
3 steps without a listed fee
Annual fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)

Obtain home jurisdiction certificate
Canadian applicants via ROAC must provide a certificate of licence or registration from their home jurisdiction.

Source
“Canadian applicants via ROAC: Certificate of Licence/Regristration from your home jurisdiction”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Submit application documents
The applicant submits the application for registration and a complaint declaration.

Source
“All Architect applicants must submit the following: Application for Registration as an Architect, Complaint Declaration”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Affiliate with permitted firm
An architect transferring from another jurisdiction must be affiliated with a firm that has a permit to operate in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

Source
“If an architect is transferring from another jurisdiction, to practice in the Northwest Territories/Yukon, they must also be affiliated with a firm that has a permit to operate in these jurisdictions.”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Pay application and registration fees
After Council approves the application, the applicant pays the application and registration fees by invoice.
- Application Fees: $300
  Source
  “The one-time Application Fees are $300 per applicant.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
- Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
  Source
  “Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
Source
“Once the application is approved by Council, the applicant will be sent an invoice by the Executive Director and the applicant can pay for both the Application and Registration fees at the same time.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $300

One-time fees listed for Licensed in another province, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$300	100%
One-time total	$300	100%

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

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

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
Source
“Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

Listed one-time fees: $300
1 fee depends on your situation and is not in the total
2 steps without a listed fee
Annual fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)

Obtain BEFA certification
The applicant must be certified through the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect program.

Source
“Foreign-Trained Applicant - An architect who has been trained and has been practicing architecture outside of Canada, and has been certified through the Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) program.”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Submit application documents
The applicant submits the application for registration, complaint declaration, BEFA certification, copies of degrees and certificates, resume, and proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa.

Source
“International Architect applications (approved via BEFA program) must also submit the following: Copy of CACB Certificate (BEFA certification), Copies of all degrees & equivalent certificates noted in the application, Copy of current resume/curriculum vitae, Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or valid work visa”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Pay application and registration fees
After Council approves the application, the applicant pays the application and registration fees by invoice.
- Application Fees: $300
  Source
  “The one-time Application Fees are $300 per applicant.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
- Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
  Source
  “Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
  nwtaa.ca/applications
Source
“Once the application is approved by Council, the applicant will be sent an invoice by the Executive Director and the applicant can pay for both the Application and Registration fees at the same time.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Listed fees for this route

One-time total listed: $300

One-time fees listed for Trained outside Canada, by type
Fee type	Amount	Share
Application	$300	100%
One-time total	$300	100%

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

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

Annual fees Paid every year, so not part of the one-time total.

Annual Registration fees: $1,200 (prorated to the month of the applicant's registration)
Source
“Annual Registration fees are $1200 but fees are prorated to the month of the applicant's registration.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

First-time applicants must submit a copy of their CACB Certificate or BEFA certification along with copies of all degrees and equivalent certificates.
Source
“First-time Architect applicants must also submit the following: Copy of CACB Certificate or BEFA certification, Copies of all degrees & equivalent certificates noted in the application”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Other

An architect transferring from another jurisdiction must be affiliated with a firm that has a permit to operate in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Source
“If an architect is transferring from another jurisdiction, to practice in the Northwest Territories/Yukon, they must also be affiliated with a firm that has a permit to operate in these jurisdictions.”
nwtaa.ca/applications
International applicants approved via the BEFA program must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa.
Source
“Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or valid work visa”
nwtaa.ca/applications
Reciprocal applicants must be currently licensed and in good standing in at least one Canadian jurisdiction.
Source
“Reciprocal Applicant - An Architect who is currently licensed and in good standing in at least one Canadian jurisdiction.”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Already licensed in another province?

Direct transfer

An architect currently licensed and in good standing in at least one Canadian jurisdiction can apply as a Reciprocal Applicant, and the page does not require them to retake an entry-to-practice exam or competence assessment.

Source

“Reciprocal Applicant - An Architect who is currently licensed and in good standing in at least one Canadian jurisdiction.”

nwtaa.ca/applications

Provide home jurisdiction certificate
Source
“Canadian applicants via ROAC: Certificate of Licence/Regristration from your home jurisdiction”
nwtaa.ca/applications

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with NWTAA

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with NWTAA

Exams

Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)

Source
“Intern Architects are eligible to register for the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) once they have attained and recorded at least 2800 hours of experience.”
nwtaa.ca/internship

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with NWTAA

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Intern Architects must complete at least 940 hours of northern experience under the supervision of a person licensed to practise architecture in the Northwest Territories.

Source

“The Intern Architect must complete at least 940 hours of northern experience under the personal supervision and direction of a person licensed to engage in the practice of architecture in the Northwest Territories.”

nwtaa.ca/internship

Supervised practice

Required

Interns are required to obtain 3720 hours of work experience to complete their internship.

Source

“Interns are required to obtain 3720 hours of work experience to complete their internship.”

nwtaa.ca/internship

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 Northwest Territories and Canada
Where	Low	Median	High	Outlook
Northwest Territories	—	—	—	Undetermined
Canada	$26.44	$38.94	$74.52	—

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
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
Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare architect licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

Home | NWTAA nwtaa.ca · fetched October 10, 2026
Applications for Individuals | NWTAA nwtaa.ca/applications · fetched October 10, 2026
Internship in Architecture Program | NWTAA nwtaa.ca/internship · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

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

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

Which exams are required?

Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC).

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