Deemed Certified

Deemed Certification (As of Right) 

The Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA) offers a process called “deemed certification”—also known as “As of Right” (AOR)—for professionals already certified to practise the same regulated occupation in another Canadian province or territory.

For eligible Architects, deemed certification provides a temporary one-time, six-month period during which you may practise architecture in Ontario while completing the process of applying for an Ontario licence. This deemed certification is not renewable or extendable.

You may apply for deemed certification if you:

• are registered as an Architect to practise architecture by a regulatory authority in another Canadian province or territory;
  
• can provide an authorizing certificate from your current regulatory authority (e.g. Confirmation of Licence/Registration for Architects Licensed/Registered in Canada); and
  
• are in good standing with the regulatory authority that issued your authorizing certificate.
  

How Does Deemed Certification Work?

1. You apply for deemed certification.
   
   Complete the OAA's Deemed Certification Attestation Form and provide the required information and documentation concerning your licence history and professional standing, including any regulatory issues or findings of professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity. The OAA will determine the applicable next steps based on the requirements of OLMA and the Architects Act.
   
   If your current authorizing certificate is subject to a term, condition, or limitation, you may still be eligible for deemed certification where the OAA can impose the equivalent term, condition, or limitation under the Architects Act. Otherwise, you would not be eligible for deemed certification.
   
   Deemed certification is subject to an administrative processing fee and the applicable Ontario licence fee. If you do not subsequently apply for an Ontario licence, fees paid in connection with deemed certification are not refundable. If you apply for a certificate of practice (CoP), additional fees apply. (For current fees, see the OAA's Fees & Renewals page.)
   
   
2. The OAA reviews your form.
   
   The OAA will review your information and documentation to verify your licence and good standing with the regulatory authority in the Canadian province or territory in which you are currently registered. If you meet the applicable requirements, the OAA will provide you with a Notice of Receipt within 10 business days.
   
   
3. Your deemed certification begins.
   
   Once the OAA provides you with a Notice of Receipt, you are deemed certified in the regulated occupation of architecture in Ontario. Your deemed certification is available for one period of up to six months from the date of the Notice of Receipt.
   
   While deemed certified, you are subject to the Architects Act, its regulations, and OAA Bylaws, as applicable to individuals licensed in the regulated occupation of architecture in Ontario.
   
   Your deemed certified status will be published in the OAA Directory, a public register.
   
   
4. You apply for an OAA licence.
   
   Deemed certification does not replace the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement and is only valid for up to six months. If you wish to obtain an Ontario licence, you must complete the application and meet the requirements.

Canadian Reciprocity and Deemed Certification

The OAA administers the Canadian Reciprocity Agreement as the profession’s established process for obtaining an Ontario licence based on licensure in another Canadian jurisdiction.

Deemed certification is a separate process under the OLMA. It provides eligible applicants with a one-time period of up to six months of deemed certification while they complete the licensing process.

When Does Deemed Certification End?

Your deemed certification may end before the six-month period expires if the OAA:

• issues you a licence;
• denies your application for licence and any applicable review or appeal process has concluded; or
• determines that information you provided in connection with your deemed certification was inaccurate when it was provided or has subsequently become inaccurate.

Your deemed certification also ends when the six-month period expires. There is no renewal or extension of deemed certification.

Offering Services to the Public 

Under Ontario law, architectural services may be offered to the public only through a certificate of practice (CoP) issued by the OAA. Regardless of how an Architect gains the right to practise, they must either hold their own CoP or work under an existing CoP to offer services to the public.

This requirement applies during the six-month deemed certification period, as well as after licensure. Applicants who plan to practise independently should apply for a CoP (and obtain the mandatory professional liability insurance) at the same time they submit their reciprocal application.

Professional Obligations 

While deemed certified, you are subject to the Architects Act, its regulations, and OAA Bylaws, as applicable to individuals licensed to practise architecture in Ontario.
You must comply with the professional obligations that apply to the practice of architecture in Ontario.

You must also notify the OAA of any change in circumstances that may affect your eligibility for deemed certification or make information provided in your application inaccurate.

If you obtain an Ontario licence, you will be subject to the OAA's Continuing Education (ConEd) requirements, as determined based on the date your licence is issued and the applicable policy. If you do not obtain an Ontario licence, you will not be required to fulfil ConEd requirements solely as a result of having been deemed certified.

Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT

Office of the Registrar
t: 416.449.6898 Ext: 285 or 297
e: licence@oaa.on.ca