NAA Mandatory Continuing Education Program

Go to the -  Continuing Education Module

Why a mandatory continuing education program?
The Association acknowledges the public responsibility of architects to be thoroughly competent and to demonstrate their continuing competency by successfully completing relevant programs of study throughout their careers. Required professional learning endorses and validates what many architects believe is necessary to maintain individual effectiveness, as well as develop new markets and enhance the image of the profession. Although architects learn in the course of their daily activities, systematic learning throughout a career is essential. A well-planned professional learning program can expand and enhance the skills of any architect, as well as update necessary competencies.

Council's Commitment
It is the intent of Council that the continuing education program be flexible, cost effective and accessible.

When does it start?
Beginning January 2003

What is the model for the NAA Continuing Education Program?
The "Special Project" for the National Practice Program (NPP), the practice issue arm of the Canadian Committee of Architectural Councils (CCAC), is developing a basis for a national framework for Continuing Education. It is the intent of the NAA to follow their national framework in the further development of a MCE Program.

How will members be evaluated?
NAA members calculated earned hours of focused activity. These hours are represented in a point system for the purpose of recording. Each member must record a required minimum number of points in two categories: Professional Renewal and Self Directed.

How long do members have to earn these points?
Current the "Draft" of the NPP National Framework is suggesting a 2-year cycle.

What are Professional Renewal Points?
Council will approve the list of selected courses and activities for Professional Renewal Points. NAA members can forward suggestions for Professional Renewal topics to council for review each year. Many members already participate in professional renewal and a number of these activities may fall into this category.

Professional Renewal topics include the following areas:

Technical Requirements
Building Code/Roof Systems/Building Envelope/Building Security
Design Software/Design Software

Planning & Design
Sustainable Design Practice & Materials/Public Appreciation of Design/Architecture
Life Cycle Costing/Site Plan Approved Process/Creative Design Process
Indoor Air Quality/Special Project Types/Specialized Consultants

Legal Issues & Legislations
Lien Act/Statute of Limitations/Building Code/Constructions Contracts/
Dispute Resolution: between Clients; between consultants/
Alternative Dispute Resolutions/Consultant Agreements/Planning Act
Reciprocity Agreements/Joint Venture Agreements/Worker's Compensation
Copyright/Protection of Intellectual Property/Corporate Structure/Taxation

Practice Management & Business Administration
Consulting Agreement/Reciprocity Agreements/Strategic Planning/
Succession Planning/Proposal Writing/Risk Management/Insurance
Benefit Plans/Partnership Agreements/Joint Ventures/Outsourcing
Employment Issues/Human Resources Management/Marketing Your Service
Corporate Structure/Taxation/Communication Skills: Oral & Written
Negotiating Skills/Personal Asset Management

Project Management
Dispute Resolution/Quality Control/Schedule, Budget & Scope Management/
Building & Leading Project Teams/Project Delivery/Design Build
Construction Management

How can members earn Professional Renewal Points?
Either the NAA or an approved agent will offer a variety of courses throughout the year. Courses will also be offered at the NAA AGM. There will also be courses made available to members on video and through other electronic technologies.

What are Self Directed Points?
Individual architects can select from the following self-Directed activities:
Courses, other than those offered by NAA
Educational Session (conference or meeting)
Committee Meetings (NAA, community service)
NAA Council
Presentation/Teaching
Professional/Writing
Reading/Research
Tours
Workshops

How will members record points?
Each member is responsible to keep a list of the Professional Renewal and Self Directed activities as they are completed. Member must submit this list to council quarterly. An updated proof of completion listing will have to be included with a member's annual renewal application. Include: Date/Provider/Activity/Hours. Forms for recording points will be available from the NAA. It is anticipated that members will eventually be able to log Professional Renewal and Self Directed points through the NAA web site.

How much will this cost?
Cost will vary. Examples are cost of travel; registration fees; choice of courses taken; purchase of video materials. Costs are purely reflective of member-selected activities.

What is the penalty for non-compliance?
Each NAA member is required to earn the minimum number of points to maintain their NAA Registered Reciprocal status (this will be based on the NPP minimum) and is in keeping with other provincial associations.

The NAA Continuing Education Program does not apply to student associates, intern architects, retired and honorary members but they are encouraged to participate.

The Program

The Continuing Education Committee has worked diligently during the past few months developing a program, which, it feels, is attainable by all members. Issues such as reciprocity, compliance and accessibility had to be addressed.

Point Recording Period:
2-year period

First Cycle
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2004

Total Required Points:
60 Points required in first cycle
(20 Professional Renewal Points/40 Self Directed Points)

Program Guidelines:
Professional Renewal Points are obtained by attending association directed activities.
Self Directed points are those activities undertaken by individual members which fall into the identified categories.

Qualifying Activities

Activity	Duration	Points
Professional Renewal Category
Educational Session	Half Day	5 points
Educational Reading	2 Hours	2 points
Self Directed Category
NAA AGM	Duration	10 points
NAA Council	1 year’s participation	25 points (max. 50 pts/cycle)
NAA Committees	Full day	10 points (max. 20 pts/cycle)
	2.5 hours	3 points (max. 20 pts/cycle)
Community Service Committee	2.5 hours	3 points (max. 20 pts/cycle)
Presentations/Teaching	Full day	10 points (max. 30 pts/cycle)
Professional Writing	Full Day	10 points (max. 40 pts/cycle)
Courses	Half Day	5 points (max. 50 pts/cycle)
Reading/Research	2.0 hours	2 points (max. 30 pts/cycle)
Tours	Half Day	3 points (max. 20 pts/cycle)
Workshops	Half Day	5 points (max. 50 pts/cycle)

Member Participation:
Members are encouraged to bring ideas forward for the continuing development of the Program.

Self-Report Form
 

This form should be submitted to obtain points for each self directed activity. Members calculate hours for self directed activities by reporting the number of hours spent in architecture related learning. Think in terms of billable hours applied to learning. To ensure the data can be entered accurately into our individual transcript.

 

 

Last Name:		First Name/Middle Initial:
NAA Membership #		Email address:
Daytime Phone #
Activity Title/Description:
Provider’s Name:		Independent Activity
Provider’s Address
Provider’s Phone Number (If known)
What were the learning objectives of the course?
How did the course meet those objectives?  (Please continue on another sheet if necessary).
Resources Used
Human:		Material:
Points I am reporting:
Indicate the number of hours spent in direct learning activities.  Report in ½ hour increments.  Credit is not awarded for time spent on breaks, registration, travel, receptions, or meals (unless an educational presentation is being offered and then credit is awarded only for educational time, not time spent eating).
Start Date:		Member’s Signature:
Completion Date: