Architect

As set in the OAA Bylaws, fees must be paid by January 2. The fees are determined annually by the OAA Council and published in Schedule A. More information, including payment instructions, is available here.

Architects registered with the OAA are required to comply with the OAA’s mandatory Continuing Education Program (ConEd). Its purpose is to require the ongoing professional development of Architects to remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods, and materials throughout their careers, in the public interest.

Under the Architects Act, non-compliance with the ConEd is addressed as an administrative matter. This means that, after an appropriate number of notices and reminders, the suspension and/or cancellation of an Architect’s licence can take place for those who fail to complete ConEd in accordance with the requirements.

Confirmation of registration with the OAA is available to Architects applying for registration or licensure with another jurisdiction or when requested by clients.

Email a request for a letter of good standing to the Registration and Licensing Department at officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca. If applicable, the OAA will forward confirmation of your registration to the jurisdiction to which you are applying. Please allow up to eight business days for processing.

Members who no longer wish to practise architecture in Ontario may request to voluntarily surrender (cancel) their OAA licence by submitting a request to officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca. If applicable, Architects who surrender their licence must return their OAA seal to the Office of the Registrar. In accordance with the Act:

Resignation of membership

5.(2) A member may resign their membership by filing with the Registrar their resignation in writing and the member’s licence or limited licence is thereupon cancelled, subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the Association in respect of any disciplinary action arising out of his or her professional conduct while a member.

The OAA’s Licence Surrender Request Form supports a clear and consistent process for ending one’s licensed status. It can be used when you are: 

• relocating or ceasing the practice of architecture in Ontario;
  
• changing careers or no longer needing licensed status;
  
• requesting a transition to another OAA status (e.g. Retired Member); or
  
• otherwise no longer needing to hold a licence.
  

It is important to note that surrendering a licence does not release a member from any ongoing professional or regulatory obligations. This includes outstanding client matters, record retention requirements, or any open complaints or investigations.

Once the surrender is accepted, the individual is no longer authorized to practise or offer to practise architecture or hold themselves out as an Architect in Ontario. Reinstatement in the future will require meeting OAA requirements and any applicable legislative provisions.

Licence Surrender Request Form

If you have questions about the surrender process or how it affects your membership status, email officeoftheregistrar@oaa.on.ca.

If Architects who surrender their licence are the sole owner of a certificate of practice (CoP), the practice must also be surrendered or apply for practice changes to indicate new compliant ownership. You can obtain the relevant forms by emailing the above address.

Shareholders, directors, or partners of a practice must consider the impact that their licence surrender will have on compliance with the ownership requirements in the Architects Act. The CoP holder is responsible for ensuring continued compliance and submitting a firm change in particulars application to indicate the new ownership structure.

An Architect may cease to be registered through voluntary surrender, non-payment of fees, or cancellation and revocation related to disciplinary action. Requirements and processes for reinstatement of registration vary in each circumstance. In all cases, your reinstatement becomes official only after it has been approved by the Registrar.

If you have any questions regarding the reinstatement process, please contact the Registration & Licensing department at licence@oaa.on.ca.

A Retired Member is a person who has surrendered their licence in good standing and is then appointed this status by the Registrar. In accordance with the regulations, Retired Members may use the title “Architect (retired)” or “Architecte (retraité)” but not the designation “OAA” following their name.

Architects who want to maintain their licence with the Association, but will not be practising architecture, can apply for “Non-Practising” member status. Recognition of this status and the associated fee remission is established in section 40 of the regulations. Any Architect may be designated as a Non-Practising Member if they meet the prescribed requirements.

It is the condition that every OAA member designated as Non-Practising shall not engage in the practice of architecture, and this condition prevails over any other term, condition, or limitation to which the licence is subject. Upon request and approval for non-practising status, the member’s seal must be returned to the OAA (if applicable).

In the event of financial hardship, family leave, or medical disability, Architects can apply to the OAA for a waiver or reduction of annual renewal fees and/or a leave of absence. This may permit Architects to retain their registration and meet their professional responsibilities for a period without requiring surrender of licence due to personal circumstances and having to later seek reinstatement.

Architects registered with the OAA may apply for an OAA seal—more information and application forms can be found here. An Architect’s seal is a representation to the public that not only does the Architect who applied it take responsibility for the document, but also that the document was prepared by that Architect or under their direct supervision, direction, or control.

The OAA has a statutory obligation under the Architects Act to ensure those applying for licence meet the prescribed requirements. The OAA must consistently apply the requirements in accordance with Section 31 of the regulations to fulfil its statutory obligation. However, requests for exemption from some of the legislated requirements may be considered by OAA Council.

Where the Registrar proposes to refuse an application for a licence or issue a licence subject to terms, conditions, or limitations, the Registrar shall serve notice of the proposal, together with the written reasons, on the applicant. Such a notice states the applicant is entitled to a hearing by the Registration Committee if the applicant delivers, within 30 days after the notice is served, notice in writing of this requirement.

The Registrar can only offer to impose terms, conditions, and limitations on a licence if the applicant has met all the requirements, but the Registrar still believes terms, conditions, and limitations are warranted.

Architects registered with the OAA who want to practise architecture as defined by the Act and regulations must do so under a certificate of practice (CoP). To provide services to the public, Architects must either apply for and obtain a CoP, or work for a person, partnership, or firm that holds one. Visit the Practices page for applications and details on the types of firms under which Architects may practise architecture.

Please note: all OAA CoP holders must also possess professional liability insurance (PLI) and comply with applicable governing legislation (unless otherwise exempt).

The Registrar, on their initiative, may refer—and on the request of an applicant shall refer—the application of the applicant for the issuance of a licence to the:

• Academic Requirements Committee for a determination as to whether the applicant has met the academic requirements prescribed by the regulations for the issuance of the licence;
• Experience Requirements Committee for a determination as to whether the applicant has met the experience requirements prescribed by the regulations for the issuance of the licence; or
  
• first to the Academic Requirements Committee and then to the Experience Requirements Committee for determinations under clauses (a) and (b).
  

The functions of the OAA Academic Requirements Committee as it relates to licence are undertaken by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), which works on behalf of the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) to assess the educational qualifications of those holding professional degrees or diplomas in architecture against the Canadian Educational Standard requirements.

Supervising Architects assist Interns in accumulating the necessary range of practical architectural experience for registration. Under their personal supervision and guidance within the same architectural firm, organization, or practice, the Supervising Architect oversees the daily work of the Intern and is expected to review the Intern’s logbooks periodically, as well as provide constructive feedback and advice.

Prospective Supervising Architects seeking additional information regarding their potential participation can review the OAA’s Mentorship Guide.

Mentorship is a rewarding way to contribute to the profession by providing guidance and support to individuals on the path to registration. The OAA's Mentor Directory (login required) was created to allow OAA Interns to search for a compatible mentor. Learn more about how an OAA Mentor acts as a professional advisor by visiting the Find or Become a Mentor page.

Mentors act as independent and objective guides, advisors, and advocates for the intern. Mentorship meetings include a review of experience progress, consideration of career objectives, discussion of broader issues related to the profession, and meeting the registration requirements. To ensure objectivity and a diversity of practice exposure for the intern, mentors may not  be from the same place of employment as the intern.

Prospective mentors seeking additional information regarding their potential participation should review the OAA’s Mentorship Guide.

The OAA relies on the invaluable volunteer contributions of Architects to support the regulation of architecture in Ontario. Volunteers are important to the work of the OAA, with a diversity of voices, opinions, skills, and knowledge critical to the decision-making process. A range of volunteer opportunities for Committees are available each year to registrants and qualified members of the public. In the late summer and early fall, the OAA will canvas for expressions of interest via the OAA News e-newsletter and other OAA communication platforms.