Intern Architect

The Intern Architect designation reflects enrolment in the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP)—a national program that provides a pathway for Intern Architects to become licensed as Architects. (You can learn more about becoming an Architect via this program in this infographic.) The Regulatory Organization of Architecture in Canada (ROAC, formerly CALA) in each province and territory have statutory obligations to set and maintain standards of education, experience, and examination for entry to the profession of architecture, with the OAA overseeing the IAP in Ontario.

Intern Architects have a professional degree in architecture and must work under the personal supervision and direction of an Architect, in either an architectural practice or other eligible architectural employment situation. To become licensed in Ontario, a person must demonstrate competency and qualification to provide architectural services to the public. The IAP is also intended as a catalyst for improving the profession, by increasing effective communication between Architects and prospective members of the profession. All IAP participants should familiarize themselves with the standards embodied in the Canadian Standard of Competency for Architects, which establishes consistent criteria that licence candidates must meet regardless of their chosen path to licensure.

Eligibility

An individual must:

• have graduated with a professional degree/diploma in architecture from a post-secondary institution, or have successfully completed the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Syllabus Program;
  
• have received certification of academic qualification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB);
  
• be a person of good character;
  
• submit a completed online application; and
  
• pay the required fee.

Key Documents

Refer to important documents below for more information:

Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB)
Mentor Confirmation Form
Employment Confirmation Form

Use of Intern Architect Designation

The Architects Act governs the practice of architecture in Ontario, and its Regulation 27 (the regulations) further elaborates on the provisions established in the Act. Section 24 of the regulations define “prescribed classes of persons whose interest are related to those of the Association.” One such class of person is the Intern Architect, which is defined as follows:

26. (1) Intern architects are persons who are of good character, have paid the annual fees prescribed by the bylaws, have complied with the academic requirements specified in the regulations for the issuance of a licence, and are appointed as intern architects by the Registrar. 
(2) An intern architect is entitled to receive general information issued by the Association and to attend the annual and general meetings of the members of the Association, but is not entitled to vote at such a meeting.  
(3) Intern architect status is valid for one year. 

In accordance with the above, an individual must be appointed an Intern Architect by the Registrar after meeting the eligibility requirements.  

The OAA further provides guidance on the use of the designation for those appointed Intern Architects.

Meet The OAA 

On October 12, 2023, the OAA Interns Committee and Comprehensive Education Committee co-hosted the third Meet the OAA event over Zoom, helping introduce the Association (and its role as regulator of Ontario’s architecture profession) to students, while also sharing more information about the path to licensure in the province. It is available below for on-demand viewing.