About CACB
Established in 1976 and based in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is a national, independent, non-profit organization and the sole body recognized by the architectural profession in Canada to assess the educational qualifications of architecture graduates and accredit professional degree programs in architecture offered by Canadian universities.
Photo: Rebuilding of the Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, c. 1917-1918. Photo taken by Samuel J. Jarvis. (MIKAN 3319865)
Mandate
The CACB receives its mandate from its members—the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), representing all provincial and territorial regulators of the profession of architecture in Canada, and the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA), representing all accredited university architecture programs in Canada— to:
- Certify educational qualifications of individual architectural graduates (Academic Certification Program);
- Accredit professional architecture programs at Canadian universities (Accreditation Program);
- Certify professional qualifications of broadly experienced foreign architects (BEFA Program); and
- Collaborate and conduct research, nationally and internationally, as it relates to architectural accreditation and academic certification.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
The CACB is committed to developing, implementing, and maintaining high-quality certification programs and standards that support the practice of architecture in Canada and strengthen pathways to licensure. We envision a Canadian architecture community working together toward an inclusive and sustainable future.
Our values are paramount in all that we do. They shape how we carry out our mandate, how we serve the architecture community, and how we work with our partners and volunteers to strengthen architectural education and practice across Canada.
Excellence
Deliver high quality programs and services to our applicants and Members through outstanding administration.
Collaboration
Work collaboratively with members and partners in an inclusive manner that strengthens shared focus, builds consensus, and promotes mutual respect and trust.
Integrity
Fairness and ethics are foundational to our way of operating and administrating our programs and services.
Leadership
Strengthen our leadership in the Canadian architecture community by facilitating dialogue and consultation across academic, professional, and government sectors.
Volunteer with CACB
Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations, bringing invaluable expertise and dedication that drive their success. At the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB), volunteers play a vital role in both governance and operations, making significant contributions to the organization’s effectiveness and impact. CACB Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, including members of the Board of Directors, Academic Certification Program Assessors, Accreditation Visiting Team Members, and Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects (BEFA) Program Assessors. Their commitment drives the success of CACB’s work, with staff providing guidance and coordination to help their efforts have the greatest impact.
If you are interested in contributing to the advancement of architectural education in Canada, we invite you to learn more about volunteering with the CACB. Please click the learn more link to explore available volunteer roles, opportunities, and information on how to become involved.
