Licensed Architect

First Time Applicant (Not currently licensed anywhere)

An individual applying to become a Licensed Architect for the first time in any jurisdiction must:

Submit the appropriate application completed in full (Click for Application)
Provide confirmation of successful completion of the Internship in Architecture Program
(if completed outside of Nova Scotia)
Successfully complete a Pre-Licensing Interview with the NSAA Board of Registration
Submit valid Certificate of Insurance demonstrating appropriate Professional Liability Insurance coverage
(if applicable)
Submit application for Corporate Permit (if applicable)
Have two references complete and return the reference form to the NSAA
Submit appropriate payment

Internationally Educated and Licensed Architects immigrating to Nova Scotia

Have you been formally educated as an architect and completed an architectural education or degree?

Have you practiced as a licensed or registered architect in a foreign jurisdiction (country)?

Do you have at least seven years of post registration or licensure experience in architecture within the last twelve years?

The Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects (BEFA) Program streamlines the process for foreign-trained architects to become certified for licensure/registration in Canada. It is a bilingual program developed by the eleven Regulatory Organizations for Architecture in Canada (ROAC).

The BEFA program assesses broadly based experience of foreign architects against Pan-Canadian standards of competency for practice in Canada.

Foreign architects who meet the Program eligibility requirements can apply for BEFA Certification through a process which consists of an on-line self-assessment and an interview with licensed architects.

Once an applicant has successfully completed the above process, they may then make application as a Licensed Architect to the NSAA. Click here for this application.

Immigration Information:

Immigrating to Nova Scotia? Click here:
http://www.novascotiastart.ca

Looking for Support? Contact Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia.

Already in Nova Scotia? Click here:
Pathway to Licensure

Professional Mobility

Architects Licensed Elsewhere in Canada

This application is for a licensed architect who is licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction (province or territory) and wants to practice architecture in Nova Scotia.

You must:

Submit the appropriate application completed in full (Click for Application)
Have all jurisdictions in which you are currently licensed/registered submit Confirmation of Registration/Licence Forms directly to the NSAA
Submit valid Certificate of Insurance demonstrating appropriate Professional Liability Insurance coverage (if applicable)
Submit application for Corporate Permit (if applicable)
Submit appropriate payment

Applicants under The US Inter-Recognition Agreement (ROAC/NCARB)

PLEASE NOTE: Only applicants from American jurisdictions that are signatories to the current Mutual Recognition Agreement are eligible for this process. For information on the current agreement, please click here .

If you are currently licensed/registered in an American jurisdiction (state) which is a signatory to this MRA, you must:

Submit the appropriate application completed in full
- If applicant is currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction, Click Here
- If applicant is not currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction, Click Here
Have the NCARB Certificate Record in Support of Application For State Registration submitted directly to the NSAA
- NCARB Certificate Record only required if applicant is not currently licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction
Apply for CACB certification (or have NAAB certification) and submit a copy of CACB (or evidence of NAAB)
- Click here for more information on CACB
- Click here for more information on NAAB
Have all jurisdictions in which you are currently licensed/registered submit Confirmations of Registration/Licence directly to the NSAA (may be submitted via emailed pdf or hardcopy by post/courier)
Submit valid Certificate of Insurance demonstrating appropriate Professional Liability Insurance coverage (if applicable)
Submit application for Corporate Permit (if applicable)
Submit appropriate payment

Architects Licensed in Mexico or the United States (Tri-National)

Are you a citizen or have permanent residency status in the United States, Canada, or Mexico and want to practice in Nova Scotia or Mexico?

Have you completed a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB/CCCA), Acreditadora Naciaonal de Programas de Arquitectura y Disciplinas del Espacio Habitable (ANPADEH), or recognized equivalent?

Do you have a minimum of 10 years of post-licensure experience in your home jurisdiction (country)?

The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement for International Practice of Architecture was jointly developed by the Regulatory Organizations for Architecture in Canada (ROAC), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Federacion de Colegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana (FCARM) in order to remove barriers and provide qualified architects the opportunity to offer professional services across borders while ensuring the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

The terms of the MRA outline specific requirements that architects must satisfy when pursuing mutual recognition. Qualified architects from each country will be granted a credential that will lead to a license to practice architecture in the host country. These requirements include educational and experience qualifications, as well as submitting documentation to confirm the individual’s credentials.

Once you have successfully completed the Tri-National Application process, you can apply using the Applicants Licensed Elsewhere in Canada application.

Architects Licensed in Australia and New Zealand (APEC Architect)

Are you a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, New Zealand, or Australia and want to practice in Nova Scotia or New Zealand or Australia?

Do you have at least seven years of experience as a licensed architect?

Architects in Canada, New Zealand, Australia who are recognized as APEC Architect in their home economies may apply for fast-track registration jurisdictions under the terms of the Canada/Australia/New Zealand Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). The APEC Architect Framework enables participating countries to enter into bilateral or multilateral arrangements to access fast-track cross-border registration procedures.

Once the APEC Architect designation is received, an architect can apply to practice architecture in Nova Scotia by using the Application for Licensed Architect (Architects Currently Licensed in Canada).

If you are registered or licensed outside of Canada or the US, and your jurisdiction does not have a reciprocity agreement in place, you can still apply for a temporary license through the NSAA.

Temporary Licenses

Excerpt from Section 12 of the Regulations:

“(1) A temporary licence may be issued to an applicant who

(a) pays the fee approved by Council;

(b) applies in a form determined by the Board;

(c) gives evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant intends to practise architecture on a temporary or a project-specific basis;

(d) gives evidence satisfactory to the Board that the applicant

(i) is licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by Council, or

(ii) satisfies the Board that the objects of the Act would be met for a time-limited purpose to allow the applicant to temporarily practise architecture;

(e) holds professional liability insurance as required by subsection 19(2) of the Act and subsection 10(1), unless exempted
by subsection 10(2);

(f) gives evidence satisfactory to the Board that the person has a professional business relationship, by either direct agreement or through separate agreements with their mutual client, with a collaborating architect who is a licensed architect and who is not exempted by subsection 10(2) from the requirement to hold professional liability insurance.

(2) A temporary licence is valid for the calendar year in which it is issued, or a shorter period determined by the Council at the time the temporary licence is issued.

(3) A temporary licence may be renewed on or before the expiry date by the submission of a completed temporary licence application to the Registrar on the form approved by the Registrar, together with the following:

(a) the renewal fee approved by Council;

(b) any information that the Registrar requires to establish that the person continues to meet the requirements of subsection (1).

(4) A temporary licence authorizes the holder to practise architecture subject to any conditions or restrictions noted on the temporary licence.”

Click here for an Application for Temporary Licence.

Click here to see full Guide to Dues and Fees.

NOTE: Architects must register both themselves and their firms with the NSAA in order to practice on behalf of a Corporation, Parntership, or Partnership of Corporations in the Province of Nova Scotia. Click here for more information.

Excerpt from Section 19 of the Architects Act:

"(1) Every individual applying to the Board for a licence shall

(a) submit an application in the form approved by the by-laws;
(b) pay the fee approved by Council;
(c) submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that such individual holds a certificate from a designated architectural certification board or has completed such other education as the Board deems equivalent;
(d) submit evidence satisfactory to the Board that such person has completed practical work experience required by the Board;
(e) provide confirmation of liability insurance as prescribed by the regulations;
(f) have successfully completed examinations as required by Council;
(g) provide evidence satisfactory to the Board to establish the applicant is of such good character as to safely and ethically engage in the practice of architecture; and
(h) complete such other requirements for licensing as set out in the regulations."

Excerpt from Section 11 of the Regulations:

"In addition to the information, documents and fee required by clauses 19(1)(a) to (g) of the Act for an applicant for a licence and by clauses 26(a) to (f) of the Act for an applicant for a renewal of a licence, an applicant applying for a licence or renewal of a licence must give all of the following to the Board:

(a) if the applicant holds or held a licence in another jurisdiction, a certificate of standing from each of the other jurisdictions in which the applicant holds or held a licence, establishing whether there are any disciplinary findings against the applicant that may preclude or restrict the applicant’s practice in the Province, and establishing whether there are any outstanding complaints against the applicant in the other jurisdictions;
(b) evidence that the applicant has completed the professional development activities required by Council;
(c) evidence that satisfies the Board that the applicant remains current and competent in the practice of architecture."

Privileges

Licensed Architects are entitled to:

Practice architecture in the Province of Nova Scotia.
Use the title "Architect", "Licensed Architect", or the initials "NSAA" after his/her name.
Hold office as an elected member of the NSAA Council and serve on NSAA Committees.
Attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting and Special General Meetings of the NSAA.
Receive correspondence/notices to the NSAA membership.