Update: New Canada / U.S.A. Mutual Recognition Agreement

The AIBC is pleased to confirm that on June 17, 2013, the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) signed a new, national-level Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). The agreement is based on an individual’s registration being in good standing in their home jurisdiction, along with one year’s post-registration experience. Most importantly, through this new agreement, architects who have completed either the NCARB Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) or the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) during their internships will be eligible for Canada/U.S.A. inter-recognition.

The new MRA is slated to come into effective on January 1, 2014. Implementation on this date is dependent on at least 51% of individual U.S. state boards and 51% of Canadian jurisdictions becoming formal signatories to the agreement. At this time, all 11 Canadian jurisdictions have signed on. Once the new MRA does come into effect, the existing Canada/US Inter-Recognition Agreement will no longer apply.

To view the new MRA, please click here. To also view the pertinent CALA bulletin, please click here. If you have any queries regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the AIBC at registration@aibc.ca.