Required Documents

The academic certification application process—including required documents, fees, and timelines—will vary depending on your chosen academic pathway and its specific subcategory, as described in the Mode of Certification section. Please refer to the application process outlined below that corresponds to your academic pathway for detailed submission requirements and instructions.

Important Note: The CACB reserves the right to request additional documentation and/or information at any stage of the process to ensure full compliance with the CACB Academic Certification requirements. Additionally, all documentation submitted becomes the property of the CACB and will not be returned.

Regardless of the Mode of Certification, all applicants must include their CACB file number on each required documents. After applying online, you will be assigned a file number—please ensure it is clearly indicated on all documents and in all correspondence with the CACB. Failure to do so may result in documents being rejected or delays in processing your file.

Official or certified true copies of all required documents must be sent directly to the CACB by the issuing institution or by the authority that certified the copies. These documents must be submitted directly to the CACB Office (1 Nicholas Street, Suite 710 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 7B7) or to the CACB inbox (academiccertification@cacb.ca); copies provided by applicants will not be accepted.

Mode of Certification – Accredited Professional Degree

A professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree from one of the twelve accredited Canadian M.Arch programs

Required documents: 

  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the Bachelor degree; and
  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the Master degree.

Fee:

  • $0 (No fee)

Application processing time: 

  • The estimated processing time is up to two (2) weeks once all required documents have been received.

A professional degree program in the United States accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)

Required documents: 

  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the Bachelor degree;
  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the Master degree; and
  • Official Linking Letter in cases where the bachelor’s and master’s degrees were obtained from different institutions, an Official Linking Letter should clearly state that admission to the master’s program was granted on the basis of a completed bachelor’s degree from [name of university].

Fee:

  • $187.47 [165.90+HST (13%)]

Application processing time: 

  • The estimated processing time is up to two (2) weeks once all required documents have been received.

Mode of Certification – Professional Degree or Diploma Not Accredited by the CACB

International Graduates in architecture holding a professional degree or diploma that is accepted as a requirement for registration or licensure in their country of origin

Required documents: 

  • An official translation must be provided for all required documents if the original or certified true copy is not in English or French;
  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
  • Certified true copy of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
  • Official Linking Letter in cases where the bachelor’s and master’s degrees were obtained from different institutions, an Official Linking Letter should clearly state that admission to the master’s program was granted on the basis of a completed bachelor’s degree from [name of university];
  • Official program syllabus, or a certified true copy, describing the professional program in architecture (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree); and
    • The Official program syllabus must correspond to the years of your studies, a breakdown of contact/study hours and include official course descriptions for each course listed on your official transcript that is relevant to the CES Areas of Studies.
  • List of your academic design projects completed throughout the architecture program, including a brief written description of each project. This document must not exceed 4 pages, and no images are required.

Fee:

  • $1,254.30 [$1,100.00+HST (13%)]

Application processing time: 

  • Due to the high volume of applications, the current processing time is approximately six to eight months.

International graduates in architecture holding a professional degree or diploma obtained on or after January 1, 2010, accepted as a requirement for registration or licensure in their country of origin and is a signatory to the Canberra Accord on Architectural Education

Required documents: 

  • An official translation must be provided for all required documents if the original or certified true copy is not in English or French;
  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
  • Certified true copy of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
  • Official Linking Letter in cases where the bachelor’s and master’s degrees were obtained from different institutions, an Official Linking Letter should clearly state that admission to the master’s program was granted on the basis of a completed bachelor’s degree from [name of university];
  • Official program syllabus, or a certified true copy, describing the professional program in architecture (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
    • The Official program syllabus must correspond to the years of your studies, a breakdown of contact/study hours and include official course descriptions for each course listed on your official transcript that is relevant to the CES Areas of Studies.
  • List of your academic design projects completed throughout the architecture program, including a brief written description of each project. This document must not exceed 4 pages, and no images are required.

Fee:

  • $980.85 [$868.00+HST (13%)]

Application processing time: 

  • Due to the high volume of applications, the current processing time is approximately six to eight months.

Graduates from programs at Canadian schools of architecture whose degrees were granted before the implementation of the Accreditation System in 1991

Required documents: 

  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree);
  • Certified true copy of the professional degree (Bachelor and if applicable Master degree); and
  • An official letter (original copy) from the Provincial/Territorial Association attesting your registration.

Fee:

  • $980.85 [$868.00+HST (13%)]

Application processing time: 

  • The estimated processing time is up to two (2) weeks once all required documents have been received.

Mode of Certification – Diploma from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Syllabus Program

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Syllabus Professional Diploma in Architecture

Required documents: 

  • Official transcripts or certified true copy of the record of completed courses of the professional degree (diploma);
  • Certified true copy of the professional degree (diploma);
  • Official program syllabus, or a certified true copy, describing the professional program in architecture; and
    • The Official program syllabus must correspond to the years of your studies and include official course description for each course listed on your official transcript that is relevant to the CES Areas of Studies and a breakdown of contact/study hours for each course listed on your official transcript;
  • List of your academic design projects completed throughout the architecture program, including a brief written description of each project. This document must not exceed 4 pages, and no images are required.

Fee:

  • $980.85 [$868.00+HST (13%)]

Application processing time: 

  • Due to the high volume of applications, the current processing time is approximately six to eight months.