Licensing route

Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect (BEFA) Certification

Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)

Assessment of foreign architects through eligibility review, competency demonstration and interview, leading to BEFA certification if successful.

Good for: I am already licensed as an architect abroad and have substantial experience. Must I repeat the full training route?

Where do I start? ↓

Checked October 20, 2026 How we check information

At a glance

Delivery: Online
Cost: About $6,285
Who can access it: BEFA can begin overseas. Work authorization and OAA's later licensing/status conditions remain separate and require confirmation.
Intake: Ongoing enquiries or individual applications

BEFA certification does not itself issue an OAA licence or a Certificate of Practice.

01 / Start here

Your first steps

Use OAA's pathway matrix and ask iap@oaa.on.ca whether your existing licence falls under a reciprocal agreement or BEFA.
Read BEFA eligibility and document instructions before paying; contact CACB at 613-241-8399 about unresolved process questions.

Individual certification process; the next interview date and assessment availability are not confirmed.

Visit provider ↗

02 / Check the fit

Requirements and limits

Architectural education plus foreign licensure; an equivalent may be considered where the home jurisdiction has no licensing system.
At least seven years of post-licensure architectural practice within the last twelve years.
Before interview: at least six months of relevant Canadian experience. FAQ specifies supervision by a licensed architect in the intended province/territory.
Certified education/licensure evidence, detailed CV and required English/French translations; certified hard copies must arrive within two months of eligibility-fee payment.

BEFA can begin overseas. Work authorization and OAA's later licensing/status conditions remain separate and require confirmation.

Important limits and details to confirm

BEFA certification does not itself issue an OAA licence or a Certificate of Practice.
A FAQ heading still mentions a ten-year window; current eligibility/process pages specify twelve. Preserve this conflict for confirmation.

Location

National certification recognized as an Ontario licensing pathway; first check whether an OAA reciprocal agreement provides another route.

03 / Understand the commitment

Costs and possible funding

CAD 6,285.06 including HST: eligibility 1,099.89, competency 2,880.65, interview 2,304.52. Stage fees are non-refundable. Reassessment, documents/travel and subsequent OAA fees are additional.

Windmill Microlending loan (loan, conditional external lead): CACB links this external financing option. It is repayable borrowing subject to Windmill's applicant and career-plan assessment, not automatic BEFA funding.

04 / Check with the provider

Sources and where to get help

Use the provider’s official starting page to ask about your situation. Published information was checked on October 20, 2026; the provider must confirm current availability and personal eligibility.