A student of architecture may apply to the OAA to become a Student Associate, provided that the individual meets the eligibility requirements below. There is no cost to becoming a Student Associate and there are several benefits, including the ability to log experience hours and increased engagement with the OAA.
An individual must:
Application Process
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit a completed Student Associate application to the OAA using the following:
The approval process typically takes about one week to complete. Once approved, Student Associate status is valid until the end of the calendar year. The Student Associate status must be renewed annually; otherwise, the status will become lapsed.
Student Associates enrolled in a CACB/NAAB-accredited architecture program may submit up to 760 hours to be credited toward the experience requirements of the IAP, with the following stipulations:
The experience hours were gained after July 1, 2019.
Student hours must be obtained both while the student is enrolled and attending an accredited program of architecture, and while completing the final two years of a CACB/NAAB-accredited Master’s Program.
Student Associates must have their academic institution complete the Declaration form to confirm their status in the M.Arch program of architecture.
Student Associate status is held with the OAA while gaining the experience.
Experience hours are obtained in an architectural practice, under the personal supervision and direction of an architect that otherwise complies with the “Acceptable Employment Situation” set out in the IAP Manual.
The supervising architect signs off on the experience.
A Mentor is required while the experience is gained.
RAIC Syllabus students who are Student Associates of the OAA may log experience toward their internship experience requirements. The OAA permits students in the program to accumulate for review all of the required 3,720 hours of architectural experience gained after enrolment in Part 2 of the program in order to satisfy the experience requirements of the IAP.
Refer to important documents below for more information:
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 Student Associate, which is defined as follows:
27. (1) Student associates are persons who are of good character, have paid the annual fees prescribed by the bylaws, are enrolled in Canada in faculties, schools, or departments of architecture or other courses of study that are considered by Council to be equivalent to such faculties, schools, or departments and are appointed as student associates by the Registrar. (2) A student associate 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) Student associate status is valid for one year. In accordance with the above, an individual must be appointed a Student Associate by the Registrar after meeting the eligibility requirements.
Find resources to complete and submit your Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB).
Ready to write your Examination? Learn how the knowledge of intern architects is tested.
Learn more about the online Admission Course.
Check out our latest news and insights gathered from various cited sources, including—but not limited to—the OAA.
Check out our events calendar for a wide array of online and in-person events. Also submit an event using our online form.
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.
Lashmi Ollivierre, Administrator, Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) e:lashmio@oaa.on.ca t: 416.449.6898 Ext.204
From "Intern Architect to Architect" Guide to Occupancies February 2024 Regulatory Notice: Synopsis of Changes to Licence Requirements
FAQs: Path to Licensure