Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC) - Royal Architectural ...

Examination for Architects in Canada/L'Examen des architectes du
Canada (ExAC)
UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ExAC:
A. OAA e-bulletin November 8, 2007 -Special Edition
The New Canadian Exam (ExAC) Continues to Develop and Raises Questions
among OAA 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 OAA 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 OAA 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, OAA, 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, OAA 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
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)
Location Locations to be determined Test Centres across Canada
and the US
Exam Sections
Four sections
All sections of the exam to
be taken in two consecutive
days in a morning and
afternoon sessions
ARE 3.1 – 9 divisions
(available until 06/ 09)
ARE 4.0 – 7 divisions
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: Annual General Meeting - May 9, 2007
Read excerpt
D. OAA e-bulletin March 21- April 3, 2007
C/ARE Task Group and Development of Canadian Architect Registration
Exam
The OAA’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, OAA 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. OAA 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. OAA e-bulletin October 18 - October 31, 2006
Council reconfirms decision to develop Canadian Architect Registration
Exam.
At the October 12, 2006 meeting, OAA 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 OAA, 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 OAA, 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.
OAA 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
OAA 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 OAA’s Intern Architects in the
near future so that they may make appropriate decisions in terms of their internship,
specifically the examination component.
© 2007 Ontario Association of Architects