The Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Architects (MRA for Architects) adopted by Canada and the European Union came into force on December 18, 2025.
From now on, architects in Canada and the European Union may request recognition of their professional qualifications, and subsequently submit an application to a regulatory organization of architecture in one of the countries party to the agreement, to be granted the right to use the title of architect and practice the profession in a host jurisdiction (province, territory or state).
Please note that the ROAC secretariat for the purpose of this MRA is the Ordre des architectes du Québec; if you have any questions, please write to mra-ca-eu@roac.ca.
Requirements for European Union architects wishing to practice in Canada
As a European Union architect, you must:
- have a minimum of 12 years of education and professional experience as an architect and provide proof that:
- your diplomas meet the requirements of the EU directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, Article 46 and Annex V.7 or Article 49 and Annex VI;
- you have accumulated, after obtaining your right to practice, at least four years of professional experience in a Member State of the European Union;
- provide proof of your status as a member in good standing of a regulatory organization of architecture in a Member State of the European Union (this document must not be more than three months old at the date on which you submit it);
- provide an extract of criminal record;
- pass the online pre-registration course administered by the ROAC.
Procedure
- Ascertain that you fulfil the requirements of the MRA and are in possession of the following supporting documents:
- Official photo identification (e.g., passport);
- Digitized copies of your architecture diplomas;
- Proof of your status as a member in good standing of a regulatory organization of architecture in a Member State of the European Union, which may be in the form of a letter (this document must not be more than three months old at the date on which you submit it, and it must state the date on which you obtained the right to practice);
- One or more attestation(s) of professional experience in a Member State of the European Union, e.g., letter(s) from employer(s) (you must have accumulated at least four years of experience after obtaining the right to practice);
- The completed form Details of years of study and professional experience in architecture;
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
- An extract of criminal record (may be obtained from a police station).
- Complete the form Application for attestation of eligibility – EU architects wishing to practice in Canada.
* Please note that the form is not yet available but will be released shortly.
The linked form is on the site of the Ordre des architectes du Québec, which acts as the ROAC secretariat.
The fee for review of the application is C$400 plus applicable taxes. - Within 30 days, you will be issued an acknowledgment of receipt stating whether your application is complete. If your application is accepted, you will receive an invitation to take the online preregistration course, at a cost of C$300 plus taxes.
- Download your certificates of completion for each of the four course modules and send them by e-mail to mra-ca-eu@roac.ca. You will then receive an attestation of eligibility confirming that you fulfil the requirements of the MRA.
- Within three months of receipt of your attestation of eligibility, complete an application to register with the architectural regulator in the province or territory of your choice. Registration fees and requirements (e.g., language proficiency) vary depending on the organization.
If you have any questions, please write to mra-ca-eu@roac.ca.
Requirements for Canadian architects wishing to practice in the European Union
To practice in the European Union as an architect from Canada, you must contact the organization that regulates the profession in the Member State where you wish to work.