Improving and streamlining the program

Over the past several years a national task force, established by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) composed of all eleven Provincial/Territorial architectural regulators, has been reviewing the IAP examining ways to improve and streamline the Program.

The national task force has concluded its work and tabled recommendations for change which have been approved by the majority of the Provincial/Territorial architectural regulators.  We are awaiting the remaining regulators’ responses so that changes can move forward uniformly across Canada. 

Primary Changes scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2012:

• Reduction of the total length of the required experience from 5600 hours (3 years) to 3720 hours (2 years).
• Elimination of Discretionary Experience (1880 hours).
• Credit will not be granted for experience gained while a student at a school of architecture as a result of the reduction of the total length of the required experience and the elimination of Discretionary Experience.

       (This change does not affect individuals in the Syllabus program.)

Other Important Facts
as of January 1, 2012:

Newly appointed/enrolled Interns will automatically be entered into the revised Program. 

Current Interns will be given the opportunity to stay within the current Program until June 30, 2012 or transfer into the revised Program at any time during the transition period.  The current Program will cease to exist on June 30, 2012.  

All recorded experience approved by the regulators prior to January 1, 2012 will be preserved and no individual will be disadvantaged when the changes are implemented.  Those Interns who wish to maintain eligibility for reciprocity with the USA may continue to record and submit the required 5600 hours of experience.

Recommendation Currently Under Discussion

• Credit will be granted only for experience gained while enrolled as an Intern in the IAP or with a reciprocal jurisdiction.

Questions should be directed to Jessica O'Rafferty, Administrator, Admission, jessicao@oaa.on.ca