Internship in Architecture Program

“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”- Aaron Rose (American Film Director)

Internship in Architecture Program: (IAP)

The Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) has been established by the Regulatory Organization of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) to continue to maintain a program of architectural registration/licensing in Canada that is both meaningful and effective. The IAP is also intended as a catalyst for improving the profession, by increasing effective communication between Architects and prospective members of the profession. To become registered/licensed in Canada, a person must demonstrate competency and qualifications to provide architectural services to the public.

Interns must remain in the IAP while experience is being gained and recorded and while examinations are being written to derive maximum benefit from the program.

Note: Credit will be granted only for experience gained as Recognized Students (Refer to Section 1.6), or while enrolled as an Intern in the IAP with your ROAC jurisdiction.

The objectives of the IAP are:

1. To define and document areas of architectural practice in which professional knowledge and skills must be gained in a structured, supervised, and mentored environment.
2. To provide a uniform system for documentation and periodic assessment of internship activities.
3. To provide feedback and guidance to the Intern.
4. To involve the members of the profession in the development and training of future members.

Note: For the purposes of IAP the term ‘Intern’ will be used to mean, Intern Architect, Intern of Manitoba or Stagiaire in architecture in Québec.

Regulation of the profession of architecture, including setting standards for education, experience and examinations needed for the registration/licensing of Architects, is the responsibility of each ROAC jurisdiction. In all ten provinces, and one territory, self-regulating associations have been established by provincial/territorial government legislation to govern the profession of architecture and to establish registration/licensing requirements.

There is general agreement among ROAC jurisdictions on the standards for admission to the architectural profession in Canada. ROAC has adopted Common Admission Standards regarding Education, Architectural Experience and Examination. Such standards facilitate reciprocal registration/licensing across Canada under a reciprocity agreement entered into by ROAC jurisdictions. These standards include:

  • Established education requirements for admission as an Intern
  • Pre-registration/licensing architectural experience requirements
  • Architectural registration/licensing examination requirements.

Pre-Graduation / Recognized Student

It may be possible for students who are enrolled in a CACB accredited architectural program to record work experience while enrolled and attending an accredited program and while completing the final two years of a CACB accredited Masters’ Program, by applying to your ROAC jurisdiction and becoming a Recognized Student.

For most ROAC jurisdictions a maximum of 760 hours of work experience gained prior to CACB certification and admission as an Intern, may be approved and credited and any experience gained prior to entering the final two years of a CACB accredited Masters’ Program or while on leave from the Program, will not be eligible for consideration.

To determine the terms and conditions for recording work experience as a Recognized Student, including how much experience will be reflected after admission as an Intern, please refer to Appendix B.

The new Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) Fourth Edition launched on July 1, 2020, has now been revised and updated as of July 1st, 2022.  The revisions included the following:

  1. References to CALA changed to Regulatory Organization of Architecture in Canada (ROAC)
  2. Updated the definition of Building Occupancy – Appendix C – Item G!
  3. Clarified the CERB (subtotals)
  4. Updated gender references
  5. Updated the Periodic Assessment Form to include check boxes for “Recognized Student” and added a CACB No. line
  6. Updated the “Recognized Student” definition per the new declaration form

For Information, below are the links to important documents:

  1. Internship in Architecture 4th Edition July 1, 2020, revised July 1, 2022
    (Note: sample forms and letters can be found in Appendix E and CERB all forms can be found on Appendix F of the IAP)
  2. ALBNL Appendix B updated September 2023
  3. ROAC Recognized Student Eligibility Form
  4. ROAC Recognized Student Declaration Form
  5. ALBNL Guidelines for Supervising Architects and Mentors