Intern Architect FAQs
No, only architects licensed with the NSAA are able to practice architecture in Nova Scotia. The definition of the practice of architecture is found in Section 2 (q) of the Architects Act.
After graduating from a school of Architecture or the RAIC Syllabus Program, you apply to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board to receive your CACB number. This verifies the Education component.
With a CACB number, you are eligible to apply as an Intern Architect to gain practical experience which is logged in the the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB). You are required to log a minimum of 3,720 hours in a variety of areas to complete the Internship in Architecture Program. This is the Experience component.
Once you have 2,800 hours logged and approved, you are eligible to write the national exams -- Canadian Examination for Architects in Canada. This is the Examination component.
The profession of architecture is a regulated profession. Many countries, such as Canada, require you to be a licensed architect.
The profession of architecture is a regulated profession which means that those who practice architecture must comply with the licensure requirements in order to practice. Regulated professions have strict licensure guidelines to ensure public safety. After completing your education, you must become an Intern Architect in order to become licensed.
The NSAA permits Intern Architects who are members of the NSAA to use NSAA (Intern) after their name. This designates the individual as registered as an Intern Architect with the NSAA.
An Intern Architect's direct supervisor must be a licensed architect with the NSAA who provides daily supervision to the Intern Architect and helps the Intern Architect gain progressive experience in the areas required in the Internship in Architecture Program. The Supervisor is responsible to provide constructive feedback and validate the experience being recorded in the Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB).
An Intern Architect's Mentor is a licensed architect or a retired architect with the NSAA. The Mentor provides meaningful advice and guidance to the Intern Architect and assists in preparing the Intern Architect for the pre-licensure interview.
When an application is received, it is reviewed by NSAA staff to make sure it is complete and to process the fee. Then, the Board of Registration reviews and approves Intern Architect applications. The Board meets every month -- normally the second Tuesday of the month -- to review completed applications received. The average length of time is under 4 weeks (depending on when the application is received).
If the Intern Architect submits his/her/their Canadian Experience Record Book every 940 hours (approximately 6 months of full-time work); demonstrates progressive experience and complies with the NSAA's Appendix B; and successfully passes the national exam upon a first attempt, the Internship in Architecture Program can be completed in approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years.
As per Regulation 6, an Intern Architect has 10 years to complete the Internship in Architecture Program, successfully pass the national exam and apply for licensure.
Each jurisdiction has the ability to customize certain aspects of the Internship in Architecture Program.
For instance, some jurisdictions require Intern Architects to complete Continuing Education and some have pre-licensure courses or interviews.
Yes. For more information, please refer to the Internship in Architecture Program manual and NSAA's Appendix B.
Yes, you are required to continue logging your hours until you apply for licensure.
On average, if there are no issues with the submission, a review can take between four to six weeks or quicker based on the availability of a reviewer.
However, if the reviewer requires additional clarification of items logged or if the reviewer wishes to discuss the submission with another reviewer or with the Intern Architect (along with his/her/their Mentor and Supervisor), it can take longer.
As soon as a CERB is submitted, the NSAA staff must prepare a summary sheet of hours which is sent along with the previous CERB submissions, assessments and review letters to an available reviewer.
The Intern Architect, along with the Supervisor and Mentor, are notified when the CERB is sent out and all three receive the assessment and review letter.
The ExAC is the Canadian examination while the ARE is the American exam which does not have any Canadian content.
Because there is no Canadian content, many Canadian jurisdictions do not recognize/accept the AREs as an alternative to the ExAC.
Yes.
The pre-licensure Interview focuses on Nova Scotia related practice items such as the NSAA's Act and Regulations and provincial building code.
The NSAA staff has the most current information on the IAP and other aspects of the regulation of the profession.