Canada to Officially Designate CACB for ECA for Architects

The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) will soon be added to the designated organizations who can issue ECAs for Canadian immigration.

Effective May 20, 2024, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) will join the designated organizations that can issue an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report for Canada immigration. The CACB already provides ECA Reports for principal applicants intending to apply for Canada PR under Express Entry with their occupation listed as NOC 21200 Architect.

When will the new assessment body for architects be added by IRCC?

Starting May 20, 2024, IRCC will officially designate the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) as the assessment body for architects. As of now, there are 7 recognized organizations who can issue ECA Reports for Canadian immigration.

Why do architects need an assessment by CACB?

An evaluation by CACB for architects is a specific requirement of Immigration, Refugees and CItizenship Canada (IRCC). With a CACB ECA assessment, it is checked whether your degree in architecture is -

• Authentic, and
• Equivalent to a Canadian degree.

Architects looking to immigrate to Canada must be able to prove that their foreign degree and/or certificates are equal to those given to architects in Canada. A positive CACB assessment makes you eligible for various Canada PR pathways with your profession listed as that of an architect.

An ECA by CACB is the first step for an architect who wishes to acquire Canadian permanent residency. The verification that your foreign degree is equivalent to the Canadian standard is critical for you to live and work in Canada as an architect. Your CACB ECA will be needed for the licensing process for architects in Canada.

Why is IRCC adding CACB to the designated organizations?

The official designation of CACB for architects is part of the ongoing efforts of the Canadian government. ECA Reports for architects issued by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) -

• Streamline the immigration process, and
• Ensure high professional standards for architects immigrating to Canada.

Can I work in Canada as an architect with my CACB ECA?

You will still need to go through the licensing process before you can work in Canada as an architect. The CACB ECA does not consider your professional work experience. A CACB evaluation only recognizes your foreign degree and verifies that you are eligible to begin the licensure process.

If you are planning on working in Canada as a licensed architect, you will have to secure a license through the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC). Representing the regulators of the profession of architecture in Canada, the ROAC sets the standards for entering the Canadian labour market as an architect.

How to work as a licensed architect in Canada?

A foreign national must first secure a positive ECA Report from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). The ECA Report will be needed to apply for architectural licensure in Canada.

The Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) provides licensure for architects. The ROAC licensing process consists of 3 steps -

• Step 1: Getting an ECA Report from the CACB
• Step 2: Completing an internship
• Step 3: Clearing the licensing examination

Those already licensed in their home country might be eligible for an alternative licensure pathway. The Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) program is another route to licensure for foreign licensed architects. The BEFA program is developed by the ROAC and administered by the CACB.

For more information, contact the Kansas Overseas office near you.