Sojourn Of A Nigerian Architect in Canada #5 | Intern Architect & RAIC Registration

As a follow-up to my previous post Sojourn Of A Nigerian Architect in Canada #4, in the month of January 2020, I went forward with all necessary architectural registrations. I am glad to inform you that I am now a registered Intern Architect with the Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) and also a full member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). I was able to achieve this because I got certified by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB). 

The Alberta Association of Architects (AAA)

This registration was pretty straightforward. After you receive your certification from the CACB whether provisional or full, you apply to the AAA. You can get the Intern Architect application form online on the AAA website. Fill it out, enclose all the necessary documents, notarize the document with your passport photograph and attached your payment. It’s that simple. My registration took about 3 weeks to process.

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)

The RAIC registration is even way easier than that of the AAA. For the AAA I had to mail it to their office and filled out about 7 forms but for RAIC, you have the option of scanning and sending via email and I filled out just 2 forms. The requirement for RAIC membership that concerns foreign-trained architects is either your CACB certification or your Intern Architect registration. I opted to use my intern Architect registration because the RAIC membership registration fee for interns is about $200 cheaper than what architectural designers (those with just CACB) or architects (those fully licensed) pay and it remains so for the next 5 years. After 5 years you pay the same as architects. You can get the RAIC membership form online. The RAIC registration took less than 3 weeks to process.

What’s next? 

I have observed that most employers have a special preference for architects, interns, and designers with LEED® and/or PMP® certifications. Therefore, besides the knowledge you stand to gain, these certifications will come in extremely handy if you want to get in, remain and grow in the architecture, space planning, construction, facility and project management field. As you can see, it is imperative I start off with the LEED® Green associate and also the PMP®.

Also, when I visited the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) website, I discovered that RIBA has an arrangement with RAIC which allows full members of RAIC to become members of RIBA when they apply. So I will explore this as well. 

What about architectural Jobs? 

Still making applications, no outcome yet.

I will keep updating my blog to keep you updated. You can also let me know what your experiences are if you are on the same journey or plan to take this route in the future.

I wish you all the best in your architectural pursuit. Feel free to leave your comments, share this article and subscribe for more blog posts. You could also reach me through LinkedIn, kindly search with my name there.

Cheers.

Ehimen Ebhomien, MRAIC, MNIA

9 thoughts on “Sojourn Of A Nigerian Architect in Canada #5 | Intern Architect & RAIC Registration”

  1. Hi Ehimen, nice write up. I am currently on same journey and just got through with CACB FO Internship. Hope your journey is going pretty well. Well done!

  2. Emmanuel Obasuyi

    CONGRATULATIONS SIR!!!

    I have also started my application to migrate to Canada, I am a Registered Architect here in Nigeria and I have applied for my Transcript in Unilag about a 2 months ago to be Forwarded to WES for Evaluation and also preparing for the IELTS Exams.
    What other Preparatory advice can you for me as I await my WES Evaluation report and also did you migrate through the Federal skilled worker program.

    1. Hi Emmanuel.

      Yes the FSW program, precisely express entry. I will say you are already on the right track. Maybe as your immigration application advances you can consider your CACB application too if you want to pursue lincensure here. If not other certifications such as PMP will come handy.

      Best of luck

      1. Hello Ehimen ,
        What was the reason to move to Calgary in Alberta province and not to Toronto ( Usually most immigrants move there (toronto) 1st as there are more job opportunities, as Toronto is a bigger city, having more construction, so I’m guessing more jobs for architecture field too )

        1. Yes, you are right. There are more Opportunities in Toronto. The downside is that Toronto is a very expensive city. Similar incomes in both Calgary and Toronto, will take you way further in Calgary than Toronto. If you have a family, then you are in for a hard time.

  3. Hello Ehimen,

    Nice write-up and wish you all the best.

    If you don’t mind, which University did you graduate from in Nigeria?

    Regards,

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