To serve the public interest, the OAA administers the Architects Act, which restricts the practice of architecture to licensed members providing professional services through an OAA Certificate of Practice. It is an offence for an unlicensed person (including a corporation) to use, or aid and abet in the using of, the title “architect” as well as to hold oneself as engaging in the practice of architecture within an architect’s protected scope of work without a licence issued by the OAA.

Misrepresentation of the protected title “architect” and misleading claims or advertising (inadvertently or purposely) could lead the public to falsely conclude they would be receiving architectural services from a licensed and regulated professional.

A summary of the OAA’s enforcement activities in 2022 (up to September 30) can be found on the OAA Website. Of the 54 investigations this year:

• 27 have been resolved by the OAA;
• five have been resolved by legal counsel;
• four have not yet been located;
• three have been found to have no breach; and
•  37 remain active or ongoing.