Architectural experience gained for the purposes of the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) must be documented in the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB), which is accessible to Intern Architects by logging into their portal. All IAP experience must be reviewed and signed/certified digitally by the Supervising Architect and Mentor and submitted to the OAA for review and approval.
The IAP requires a minimum of 3,720 hours completed in specific categories of architectural experience gained in an acceptable employment situation. All the experience submitted is subject to review. The online CERB provides a structured way to record experience and helps demonstrate you have obtained the competencies required for the practice of architecture in Canada. These competencies are further detailed in the IAP Manual and the Canadian Standard of Competency for Architects.
Recording experience in the online CERB serves several important purposes. It:
- documents the range and depth of architectural experience gained during internship;
- supports discussions between Intern Architects, Supervising Architects, and Mentors regarding professional development;
- demonstrates competency across the experience areas required by the national IAP; and
- enables the OAA to assess whether the experience requirement for licensure has been satisfied.
Intern Architects are responsible for ensuring their experience is recorded accurately and submitted for review in accordance with program requirements. If you are submitting post-graduate international experience gained prior to IAP enrolment, or if you are in the employ of a certificate of practice (CoP) held by a Licensed Technologist or by an Architect (subject to terms, conditions, and limitations), you must record your hours using a PDF form available from the Office of the Registrar.
The IAP Manual and its Appendix B (i.e. Ontario-specific requirements) provide guidance on acceptable employment situations, definitions of the experience categories, and the currency requirement. It is important you regularly review the IAP Manual when you are unsure about the categories of experience you are entering on the CERB.
New: Provisional Intern Architect Status
The OAA has introduced “provisional Intern Architect” status for individuals awaiting academic certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).
This will be in effect as of
July 1, 2026.
Those who hold this status may begin recording eligible architectural experience in the CERB while their academic credentials are assessed. Experience recorded during this period may be credited toward the IAP once CACB certification is confirmed, provided all program requirements are met.
This approach helps ensure applicants are not unduly affected by administrative processing timelines and that relevant professional experience can be appropriately documented and considered.
Eligible individuals include:
Student Associate Experience (Up to 760 Hours)
Student Associates enrolled in a master’s architectural program accredited by the CACB or the U.S. National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) may record up to 760 hours of eligible architectural experience. For more information on eligibility,
click here.
Intern Architects
Intern Architects may record eligible architectural experience gained in accordance with the IAP.
Provisional Intern Architects
Individuals with the provisional status may record eligible architectural experience gained in accordance with the IAP. For more information, refer to Appendix B.
Internationally Educated Individuals
Those who have completed architectural education outside Canada or the United States, and are enrolled as Intern Architects with the OAA, may submit eligible postgraduate international architectural experience gained prior to enrolment in the IAP for provisional acceptance. Refer to the Appendix B for more information.
If any international experience gained while not in the IAP forms part of the experience submission at the time of making application for licence, the applicant will be required to attend an experience assessment with the OAA
Experience Requirements Committee (ERC).
In addition to the other licence requirements, Intern Architects must develop demonstrable competency in all of the IAP’s experience categories to meet the standards of practical skill and level of proficiency to engage in the practice of architecture in Canada and offer professional services to the public.
Experience should be submitted periodically, typically after 900 to 1,000 hours of work experience or when changing employment. To avoid late submission fees, experience should be submitted within eight weeks of the final date of the experience period reported.
Entries should:
- describe the architectural work performed;
- identify the relevant IAP experience areas; and
- cover the full scope of work, rather than only minimum category requirements.
Experience should provide meaningful exposure to the competencies required for professional practice, reflecting the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment expected of Architects. Interns are encouraged to work closely with Supervising Architects and Mentors to ensure their experience demonstrates a sufficient breadth of architectural practice. Supervising Architects and Mentors are responsible for reviewing and verifying CERB entries prior to submission the OAA.
At least 940 hours of the experience must be completed within the three years before the date on which you make application for the licence. If fewer than 940 hours of that experience is obtained on projects within Canada, the Intern Architect must familiarize themselves with Canadian practice by completing all four modules of the
Practice of Architecture in Canada course offered by the
Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) prior to application for licence.
At the time of creating each submission in their Canadian Experience Record Book, Intern Architects are encouraged to determine if activities within the CERB experience for that period may be applicable to any of the 10 key competencies in the
Ontario Practice Competency (OPC) self-assessment submissions.
The OAA reviews all experience submissions to determine whether they meet IAP requirements.
Recording experience in the CERB does not guarantee that all hours submitted will be accepted. Experience must meet program requirements and may be adjusted or declined following review.
Intern Architects may be asked to provide additional information or clarification as part of the review process.