Architectural Institute of British Columbia

The Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) is an independent, professional self-regulatory body established in 1920 by provincial statute – the Architects Act. The primary role of the AIBC is to protect the public interest, including public health, safety and welfare, in the practice of architecture by regulating the profession and building public awareness and confidence in the roles, responsibilities and capabilities of its certified registrants. These include architects, intern architects, architectural technologists, building designers and residential designers.

The AIBC fulfils its mandate by ensuring competence and good conduct of registrants. To that end, it maintains official marks which indicate to the public the designation that the AIBC has granted to its members. Regulatory programs and services include formal mechanism for complaint resolution should a member of the public have questions or concerns about the competence or conduct of a registrant, as well as enforcement mechanisms to ensure public protection against illegal practice.

In addition, the institute also provides a range of education programs to members along with advocacy programs and services to the public. The AIBC also works with national counterparts and accrediting agencies to evaluate post-secondary programs to determine whether graduates from designated programs meet entry requirements. Recently, the AIBC introduced a competency-based accreditation process for foreign-trained architects which is being considered as a model for other jurisdictions.

The AIBC retains staff and maintains a number of boards and committees that provide practice support and advice on a wide range of industry-related matters. It also liaises with provincial and national industry-related associations and other regulatory bodies, and provides a voice on important professional and community development issues at all levels of government.

All AIBC registrants are governed by the AIBC’s Code of Conduct which reinforces the professionalism and standards of ethics and honesty required to uphold the reputation of the profession as well as protect the public.