How to Become an Architect in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Ontario Association of Architects to work as an architect in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Architecture Ontario Association of Architects”
From ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 7 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
Complete an accredited architectural education or obtain certification of academic qualifications.
Source
“Complete an accredited architectural education or obtain certification of academic qualifications from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Enrol with the OAA as a Provisional Intern Architect or Intern Architect.
Source
“Enrol with the OAA as a Provisional Intern Architect (if academic certification is pending; see below) or Intern Architect.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Gain and record eligible architectural experience in the Canadian Experience Record Book.
Source
“Gain and record eligible architectural experience in the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB).”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the required professional examinations.
Source
“Complete the required professional examinations.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the OAA Admission Course.
Source
“Complete the OAA Admission Course.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.
Source
“Complete the Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete any other requirements at time of application and submit the application for licence to the OAA.
Source
“Complete any other requirements that may arise at time of making application for licence. Submit application for licence to the OAA.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Association of Architects
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.3 months (only 1 of 2 steps state a time)
-
Apply to register in Ontario under the terms of the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement.
Source
“Architects that are registered in one Canadian jurisdiction may apply to register in another under the terms of the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/international-credentials-and-prof... -
Submit notification and proof of licence to the OAA to be deemed certified while the reciprocity application is assessed.
Time: 10 daysTime source
“the OAA must acknowledge the application within 10 business days”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/provincial-fair-access-requirementsSource
“In order to achieve "Deemed Certification," individuals seeking this status are required to submit the notification and proof of licence to the OAA. In turn, the OAA must acknowledge the application within 10 business days and at that point the individual is deemed certified.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/provincial-fair-access-requirements
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Association of Architects
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
Have your non-accredited degree assessed and certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.
Source
“Non-accredited degrees are assessed and certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/international-credentials-and-prof... -
Enrol with the OAA as an Intern Architect.
Source
“Enrol with the OAA as a Provisional Intern Architect (if academic certification is pending; see below) or Intern Architect.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Gain and record eligible architectural experience in the Canadian Experience Record Book.
Source
“Gain and record eligible architectural experience in the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB).”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the required professional examinations.
Source
“Complete the required professional examinations.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the OAA Admission Course.
Source
“Complete the OAA Admission Course.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Complete the Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.
Source
“Complete the Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Submit the application for licence to the OAA.
Source
“Submit application for licence to the OAA.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Association of Architects
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Applicants must have graduated with a professional degree in architecture or successfully completed the RAIC Syllabus Program and received academic certification from the CACB.
Source
“have graduated with a professional degree in architecture or have successfully completed the RAIC Syllabus Program; have received academic certification from the CACB;”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i...
Experience
Applicants must have complied with the experience requirements specified in the regulations.
Source
“has complied with the academic and experience requirements specified in the regulations for the issuance of the licence”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/architect
Insurance
All OAA certificate of practice holders must possess professional liability insurance unless otherwise exempt.
Source
“all OAA CoP holders must also possess professional liability insurance (PLI) and comply with applicable governing legislation (unless otherwise exempt).”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/architect
Good character
Applicants must be a person of good character.
Source
“be a person of good character;”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i...
Residency
Applicants must be a citizen of Canada, a permanent resident of Canada, or a member of a recognized organization of architects with similar standards.
Source
“is a citizen of Canada or has the status of a permanent resident of Canada or is a member of an organization of architects that is recognized by the Council”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/architect
Other
Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age.
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Architects registered in another Canadian jurisdiction may apply to register in Ontario under the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement and can expect prioritized registration, with deemed certification allowing practice while the application is assessed. Source
“Architects that are registered in one Canadian jurisdiction may apply to register in another under the terms of the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement. Additionally, under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA), individuals licensed as Architects elsewhere in Canada can expect prioritized registration within prescribed timeframes.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/international-credentials-and-prof...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Exams
-
professional examinations
Source
“Complete the required professional examinations.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... -
Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment
Source
“Complete the Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.”
oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Association of Architects
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $28.21 | $41.03 | $80.97 | Moderate (3 of 5) |
| Canada | $26.44 | $38.94 | $74.52 | — |
Architects in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba 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
- ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade
- Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/becoming-an-architect/internship-i... · fetched October 10, 2026
- International Credentials and Professional Mobility oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/international-credentials-and-prof... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Provincial Fair Access Requirements oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/provincial-fair-access-requirements · fetched October 10, 2026
- Architect oaa.on.ca/registration-licensing/architect · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an architect in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the Ontario Association of Architects is required to practise in Ontario.
Which exams are required?
professional examinations, Ontario Practice Knowledge Self-Assessment.
Getting Licensed? Get Your Resume Ready Too
Nainly pairs expert resume assessment with a done-for-you career marketing campaign, so your profile keeps reaching decision-makers while you work through the licensing steps.
Schedule a CallFree consultation. No commitment.