You can apply for BEFA certification if you can demonstrate that you meet the following mandatory requirements:
You have been formally educated as an architect and completed an architectural education/degree.
You have practiced as a licensed/registered architect in a foreign jurisdiction. If registration/licensure was not required to practice as an architect in the jurisdiction(s) of origin, the equivalents of registration/licensure in that/those jurisdiction(s) may be considered.
You have at least seven years of post registration/licensure experience in architecture within the last twelve years.
You will have obtained at least six months of relevant experience in Canada before the assessment interview. This experience:
a. Must be gained within three years before the date scheduled for the assessment interview.
b. Must be gained under the personal supervision and direction of a registered/licensed architect within Canada.
c. Must expose applicants to the practice and regulatory requirements of architecture in Canada.
The completion of the six months of relevant experience in Canada must be confirmed with a signed letter by the supervising architect.
BEFA Submission of Documents Timelines
1. Eligibility: The supporting documents must be received at the CACB office at the address below, no later than two (2) months from the date of payment of the Eligibility Fees.
The Canadian Architectural Certification Board 1 Nicholas, Suite 710 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7
2. Demonstration of Competency: The supporting documents (12 Competency templates and references) must be submitted no later than twelve (12) months from date of payment of the Demonstration of Competency Fees. Please contact the BEFA Coordinator as soon as you have started working on your submission before you upload your documents.
Please note that the assessment timeline of your application starts after the receipt of your complete submission for the Demonstration of Competency phase. We are doing our best to move the applications through the application process and stages as per our assessors’ availability.
Please note that the eligibility fees are not refundable.
Therefore, it is important that you have carefully reviewed all the mandatory eligibility criteria for the BEFA Program before proceeding.
For more information on the BEFA Program please contact the BEFA Coordinator
by phone at (613) 241-8399 extension 21, or by email to befacoord@cacb.ca
