Demonstration of Competency Resources

Assessors

As a BEFA Assessor, you will have access to a secure platform for storing and sharing internal documents, assessment materials, applicant submissions, and pertinent resources. Access is restricted to authorized personnel via a username and password, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of sensitive information.

Click here to access the resources

Applicants

Our resources are designed to guide you step by step as you prepare your submission and demonstrate your competencies.

Explore the Demonstration of Competency Process: A clear, easy-to-follow diagram walks you through the entire process at a glance.

Watch and Learn: Animated videos provide practical tips and guidance on the more challenging competency areas, helping you prepare narratives and reference documents to effectively demonstrate how you meet the competency requirements.
Illustrated Competency Examples: Explore projects (sketches, tables, images, and more) that showcase all 12 competencies and illustrate how to effectively meet each requirement.

Start exploring the resources and showcase your competence with confidence and clarity!

Explore the Demonstrative Competency Process

Demonstration of Competency Process

Watch and Learn! (Animated Videos)

General Guidelines

The video explains the general guidelines for applicants to the BEFA program. It provides an overview of how the BEFA pathway works: what BEFA certification is: from eligibility, through demonstration of competency, to the interview stage. Learn how to clearly demonstrate your competencies, explain your role, and showcase your projects in a Canadian context. Focus on quality, clarity, and process. Three projects are usually enough.

Code Research

This guidance video focuses on the challenging Code Research competency. It highlights how to be aware of and work effectively with the National Building Code of Canada, understand its key goals, life safety, accessibility, performance, health, and energy efficiency, and offers practical tips for preparing a clear, focused submission. The video emphasizes demonstrating clarity, relevance, and your specific role.

Construction Documents

This guidance video focuses on the Construction Documents competency. Learn how to effectively demonstrate your competence in creating and understanding drawings and specifications, highlighting representative examples rather than all documents. Understand the importance of building envelope detailing across Canada’s diverse climatic zones, annotate your work to showcase your knowledge, and explain your role clearly. Tips on coordinating with other consultants and presenting your submission with clarity and relevance are included.

Construction Phase

This guidance video focuses on the Construction Phase. Learn how to demonstrate your understanding of the architect’s contractual, regulatory, and legal responsibilities, including oversight of construction to ensure compliance with contract documents and administration of the contract between owner and contractor. Gain tips on conducting site reviews, managing project documentation, and clearly showing your role in the Canadian context. Focus on quality over quantity, annotate your documents, and explain your work in your own words.

Professionalism and Professional Practice

This guidance video focuses on the Professionalism and Professional Practice. Learn how to demonstrate your understanding of architecture as a self-regulated profession in Canada, including provincial requirements, legislation, codes of ethics, and professional responsibilities. Gain tips on sealing and signing documents, professional liability insurance, and licensing in multiple jurisdictions. Focus on clarity, quality over quantity, and clearly explain your role with annotated documents.