Pre-licensure Self-Assessment
Competence in a professional context is expressed by the acquisition and application of capabilities that signal a professional’s overall capability to reliably perform the essential duties expected of, and entrusted to, their profession. Equitable processes allow those seeking licence to gain licensure by demonstrating their possession of these competencies.
It is the OAA’s position that local Ontario practice knowledge is critical to public health and safety and the provision of competent architectural services in Ontario. Historically, the OAA has relied on direct Ontario work experience to provide opportunity for Intern Architects to gain these competencies. With respect to the 2021–2023 amendments to the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act (FARPACTA) related to licensure experience requirements, the OAA revised the process for Ontario. (To learn more, visit this page of the OAA Website.)
As of January 1, 2025, the OAA will require Intern Architects who have gained all their Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB) experience while enrolled in the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) to complete a self-assessment to demonstrate competency in specific areas of practice. (The remainder of 2024 will be a transition period toward this new process—see below for more information.) The OAA no longer requires direct Ontario work experience, but rather the submission of a competency self-assessment. This is an efficient, accessible method for Intern Architects to demonstrate their Ontario practice knowledge prior to becoming licensed.
The self-assessment forms are now accessible in the Ontario Practice Assessment tab by logging into the member portal. You can also access the 10 forms as fillable PDFs on the OAA Website.
For each of the 10 key Ontario competencies, an Intern Architect is required to select one example from their eligible architectural experience that best highlights the appropriate practical experience activity. Competencies are defined as observable and measurable skills, knowledge, or abilities required for licence that are demonstrated through the experience activity. More information will be available in the OAA’s Ontario Practice Competencies Self-Assessment Guidebook.
Each of the targeted competencies will be assigned a minimum required competency level aligned with the comprehension levels established in the Canadian Standard of Competency for Architects. Each competency self-assessment must be reviewed and validated by the Intern Architect’s IAP Supervising Architect. Key competencies may be submitted to the OAA only after the Supervising Architect has successfully validated them.
At the time of creating a CERB submission, Intern Architects are encouraged to determine if any activities within the CERB experience for that period may be applicable to a key Ontario Practice Competency self-assessment.
It is possible for an example to take place outside Ontario and satisfy the Ontario Practice Competency, but it is the Intern Architect’s responsibility to provide information sufficient to establish equivalency.
All Intern Architects and Supervising Architects are encouraged to review the aforementioned OPC Guide for more information.
In the event an Intern Architect is unable to successfully complete the OPC requirement prior to application for licence, they may be required to attend an Experience Requirements Committee assessment interview.
The requirements are unchanged for individuals who wish to use alternative qualifications—namely, record and submit post-graduate international architectural experience gained outside of Canada while not enrolled as an Intern Architect in the IAP. 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 assessment interview with the OAA Experience Requirements Committee (ERC).
Until December 31, 2024, a transition period has been established to minimize disruption to Intern Architects who are close to completing their IAP requirements. Existing Intern Architects who wish to transition to the new requirements prior to December 31, 2024 should contact the OAA at iap@oaa.on.ca.
To access a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Intern Architects and Supervising Architects about the Ontario Practice Competency self-assessments, including helpful checklists, click here.
