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Examination for Architects in Canada/L'Examen des architectes du 

Canada (ExAC) 

UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ExAC: 

A. <strong>OAA</strong> e-bulletin November 8, 2007 -Special Edition 

The New Canadian Exam (ExAC) Continues to Develop and Raises 

Questions among <strong>OAA</strong> Interns 

The Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) is well into 

development to meet its targeted launch for late June 2008. 

The new examination, being developed exclusively by three provincial 

regulatory bodies, seeks to ensure relevancy, effective delivery, and 

administrative control of the complete professional competency testing process. 

The ExAC 

The ExAC will be offered once a year, at the same time across Canada and 

available in both official languages. It will be written over a period of two 

consecutive days in a pencil and paper format only. 

A guide to the ExAC 

The ExAC Program is a guide describing the examination in more detail. It will 

be available in January 2008 in electronic format so that Interns can begin 

preparing for the ExAC. The guide will include the following: 

• Objective 

• A brief description of its development 

• Contents 

• Specific learning objectives 

• Eligibility criteria for Interns wishing to write the examination 

• Rules and Protocols around rewriting the examination 

• Fees and registration 

• Material/Aids allowed at the examination 

• Security and confidentiality 

• Date and locations 

• Transition matters 

• Recommended reference material and resources 

• Sample examination questions 

INTERN ARCHITECTS ARE ASKING QUESTIONS 

DO NOT LISTEN TO RUMOURS - Get the right answers 

During the past few weeks, the <strong>OAA</strong> has been receiving numerous calls about 

“the rumours” regarding the new Canadian examination and the ARE. There are 

still a lot of details that will continue to be developed regarding the examination 

including reciprocity, costs, etc. With many of the issues still under discussion, 

answers can be given that are correct for today, but these may change. We 

realize this may be frustrating for Interns who are trying to plan their futures,




so as soon as new information is available, we will continue to update Interns 

and <strong>OAA</strong> Members on the program’s development. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q. Will I be given credit for any ARE divisions that I have completed, if 

I switch to the ExAC? 

A: No, not at this time. 

This is currently being reviewed by the AAA, <strong>OAA</strong>, and OAQ. Information about 

potential equivalencies will be shared as soon as the assessment is complete. 

At this time, it is uncertain whether equivalencies can be reached because of 

the vast differences between the ExAC and the ARE. 

Q: If I have started to write the ARE, or if I am about to begin, should I 

continue or wait for the ExAC? 

A: You have two options to consider: 

You may choose to continue to write the ARE or you may choose to 

wait to write the ExAC. 

At the present time the AAA, <strong>OAA</strong> and OAQ will continue to recognize the ARE 

as meeting the examination criteria for licensure. If you have successfully 

completed at least one ARE 3.1 division by May 2008 you will will have until 

June 2009 to complete writing the ARE 3.1. If you have not successfully 

completed any division of the ARE 3.1 by May 2008 you will be automatically 

transferred into the new ARE 4.0. Click here for detailed information regarding 

changes to the ARE. 

Your first opportunity to write the ExAC will be late June 2008, or you can wait 

for a subsequent annual opportunity. 

Current Comparison 

Write the ExAC? 

Write the ARE? 

Exam 

Knowledge 

Eligibility 

- experience 

Date and Time 

Location 

Exam Sections 

Practical: Canadian 

Practice based 

Experience required 

(# of hours to be 

determined) 

Begin late June 2008, or 

wait until 2009 (one annual 

opportunity) 

Offered once a year on 2 

consecutive days 

Theoretical: Architectural 

School knowledge 

No experience required 

You may start taking the 

ARE at any time 

(once you have received 

your authorization to test 

from US test consultants) 

Locations to be determined Test Centres across 

Canada and the US 

Four sections 

All sections of the exam to 

be taken in two 

ARE 3.1 – 9 divisions 

(available until 06/ 09) 

ARE 4.0 – 7 divisions




consecutive days in a 

morning and afternoon 

sessions 

For more details on 

changes to the ARE click 

here 

Type of Exam Pencil and paper Computer administered 

Cost Are being determined For ARE cost information 

click here 

Languages English/French English/French until June 

2008 

English only after June 

2008 

Successful 

Completion 

Eligible to apply for Licence 

in Ontario, Alberta and 

Quebec* 

Information as of November 8, 2007 

Eligible to apply for Licence 

in Canada 

and the USA 

Items currently under discussion: 

*Canadian Reciprocity 

Discussions are underway with all Canadian Regulatory bodies in an effort to 

see the ExAC implemented Canada-wide so that reciprocity across all Canadian 

provinces and territory is maintained. 

Registration/licensure in the US and US Inter-Recognition 

At this time the US-based NCARB ARE continues to be required for an NCARB 

certificate in order to be licensed in the US. 

Future plans may see the Canadian jurisdictions renegotiating the terms of the 

US Inter-Recognition Agreement (which defines the terms of registration for 

architects from the US coming to Canada and Canadian architects going to the 

US) to include the Canadian examination. 

If a decision is reached in the future to no longer accept the ARE, adequate 

notice will be given to Interns, and others who may be affected, in order to 

allow individuals to make the decisions necessary to continue towards 

licensure. 

Q: If I have successfully completed the NCARB examinations will I 

have to write the ExAC to be licensed in Canada? 

A: No, not at this time. 

This is an important question. It is on the priority list for future consideration 

by the three provincial regulatory bodies. 

B . Exam Name - Excerpt from June 25, 2007 Council Report 

It was determined that ExAC was the preferred acronym since it describes both 

a French and English title (Examen des architectes du Canada and Exam for 

Architects in Canada). 

C.President's Address: Excerpt form Annual General Meeting - May 9, 

2007




D. <strong>OAA</strong> e-bulletin March 21- April 3, 2007 

C/ARE Task Group and Development of Canadian Architect Registration 

Exam 

The <strong>OAA</strong>’s assigned Specific Objectives were completed by a team of six 

architects in early February and have been forwarded to the AAA and OAQ task 

groups for their consideration. AAA, <strong>OAA</strong> and OAQ will meet in April to continue 

the exam development process. The new examination is scheduled to be ready 

for administration in the spring of 2008. 

E. <strong>OAA</strong> e-bulletin February 21 - March 6, 2007 

Update and Progress Report Re. Development of C/ARE) 

Work continues on the development of the Canadian Architect Registration 

Exam (C/ARE) in cooperation with the Ordre des Architectes du Quebec and the 

Alberta Association of Architects. A group of six 'item writers' are busy at work 

in each province now preparing specific learning objectives under each of the 

broader topic areas. Once that stage is complete, writing of individual questions 

or 'items' will begin pending finalization for the exam format and layout. Click 

here to read the Joint Communiqué issued by all three provinces on the 

exam development as well as some important information related to transition 

issues. 

F. <strong>OAA</strong> e-bulletin October 18 - October 31, 2006 

Council reconfirms decision to develop Canadian Architect Registration 

Exam. 

At the October 12, 2006 meeting, <strong>OAA</strong> Council confirmed its commitment to 

move ahead with the design and development of a Canadian-made Architect 

Registration Exam. This has been under discussion by Council as well as a 

number of the other provincial architectural associations over the past few 

years. Those discussions resulted in a decision in late 2005 by <strong>OAA</strong>, the Alberta 

Association of Architects (AAA) and the Ordre des Architectes du Quebec (OAQ) 

to study the appropriateness of the American exam, under the auspices of the 

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, as the official licensing 

exam for Canada. At this point <strong>OAA</strong>, AAA and OAQ are collectively working on 

this initiative, and will continue to keep the other provinces informed. A draft 

work plan for the design, development and first administration of the exam has 

been established and would see a Canadian exam available to interns some 

time in 2008. 

<strong>OAA</strong> Council is sensitive to the fact that there will be individuals who will be at 

various points of writing the current nine-division ARE once the Canadian exam 

is instituted. Careful consideration will be given to those interns who may find 

themselves in this situation to ensure the most appropriate transition possible. 

A full transition plan will be communicated to architects and interns. In 

addition, issues of reciprocity in Canada and inter-recognition with the US will 

need to be addressed by <strong>OAA</strong> Council in the very near future. 

Watch for further information in e-bulletin as this initiative unfolds over the




next 18 months. Additional information will also be provided to <strong>OAA</strong>’s Intern 

Architects in the near future so that they may make appropriate decisions in 

terms of their internship, specifically the examination component. 

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© 2007 Ontario Association of Architects

OAA.on.ca : ExAC - Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

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