The EU and Canada have concluded a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on the recognition of professional qualifications of architects. The agreement establishes conditions and rules according to which competent authorities must recognise the professional qualifications of architects.
The agreement enables EU architects looking to work in Canada and Canadian architects wanting to work in an EU country to be able to work under the same conditions as local architects. To benefit from this agreement, architects need to meet certain qualification and experience-based criteria.
EU architects who want to work in Canada must have:
- a minimum of 12 years of education, training and professional experience as an architect, proven with evidence of:
- formal qualifications meeting the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications
- a minimum of four years of professional experience in a Member State of the European Union obtained after registration, licensing or its equivalent
- a valid professional registration or licence as an architect from a competent authority of a Member State of the European Union or its equivalent
- being of good character
Additionally, EU architects wishing to practice in Canada must complete a 10-hour course to acquire domain specific knowledge required to practice in one of Canada’s Provinces or Territories.
Canadian architects who want to work in any Member State of the EU must have:
- a minimum of 12 years of education, training and professional experience as an architect proven with evidence of:
- formal qualifications issued in Canada giving access to the profession of architects as described in Appendix I of the MRA
- a minimum of four years of professional experience obtained after registration or licensing
- a valid professional registration or licence as an architect from a competent authority in Canada
- being of good standing
Both EU and Canadian architects must register with the local authorities to get permission to work.
