The OAA regulates individuals and legal entities involved in the practice of architecture in Ontario. Anyone who wants to practise architecture in the province and offer professional services to the public must first obtain a certificate of practice (CoP).
An applicant for a limited licence CoP must be a Licensed Technologist in good standing with the OAA, hold the mandatory professional liability insurance, and comply with applicable regulations. For further information, including coverage amount requirements, click here.
It is a condition of every CoP held by a limited licence holder, or under which a limited licence holder personally supervises and directs the practice of architecture, that the certificate is subject to the same terms, conditions, and limitations to which the limited licence is subject.
As per the Architects Act and regulations, the OAA requires all members and holders of CoPs to keep their records current and true. Please contact the OAA for any of the following:
- any change to a firm’s certificate of practice, such as a change in firm name, contact information, or change in corporate structure/ownership;
- addition or subtraction of OAA members to the firm’s CoP roster; andf
- or corporations, any and all proposed alterations or amendments to the corporation’s incorporating documents, bylaws, or corporate structure, including any unanimous shareholder agreements pertaining thereto.
Additionally, all practices must participate in the OAA Practice Consultation Services review program, which includes responding to a mandatory questionnaire in the first year and also upon request every 10 years.
Categories of Certificates of Practice:
- Corporation
- Partnership
- Sole Proprietor
Applications and Guidelines:
Corporation Application and Guidelines
Partnership Application and Guidelines
Sole Proprietorship Applications and Guidelines
Once complete, submit your application and supporting documents to certificateofpractice@oaa.on.ca.