Full Membership
Full Membership is reserved for individuals with formal defined qualifications in the field of architecture. It includes the following categories:
- Architects
- Interns or Intern Architects
- Graduate
- Faculty Member
- Retired Architects
Members in these categories may use the MRAIC (Member of RAIC) or FRAIC (Fellow of RAIC) abbreviation.
Qualifications for Full Membership
The qualifications acceptable for full membership are as follows:
- Registered and licensed as an architect with a Provincial or Territorial architectural regulator in Canada;
- Registered as an intern with a Provincial or Territorial architectural regulator in Canada;
- A full-time faculty member in good standing at a School of Architecture in a Canadian University;
- A graduate of an accredited architectural program in Canada who has earned an M. Arch degree or its equivalent;
- A graduate of an international architectural program who is residing or employed in Canada and who has obtained certification from the Canadian Architectural Certification Board or has otherwise satisfied the Board of their qualifications.
View the eleven provincial/territorial associations.
Licensed (or Registered) Architects are encouraged to use the title “Architect” after their name. This not only clarifies professional status, but also helps reinforce the numerous important roles in society held by architects.
Additional Full Membership Categories
The following membership categories are available to those who are full members in good standing with the RAIC and meet specific qualifications.
Fellows
The College of Fellows formally recognizes members and distinguished laypersons who have made outstanding contributions to the profession. Fellowship in the RAIC is an honour conferred on members singled out for their contribution to research, scholarship, public service or professional standing to the good of architecture in Canada, or elsewhere.
A Member must have been a member of the Institute for at least five years prior to nomination as a Fellow. Fellowship is bestowed for life and is one of the highest honours the Institute can confer upon a Member.
Fellows may use the FRAIC (Fellow of the RAIC) abbreviation.
Retired Members or Retired Fellows
A full Member or Fellow retiring may continue as a retired Member of the RAIC with reduced annual fee payments. Retired Members retain all their rights and privileges.
A letter, attesting retirement from practice, is to be included with the renewal form to be considered for retired status.
Retired members may use the MRAIC (Member of the RAIC) abbreviation and retired Fellows may use the FRAIC (Fellow of the RAIC) abbreviation.
Life Members or Life Fellows
RAIC Life Membership is one of the Institute’s highest honours. It recognizes members who have demonstrated exceptional, sustained, and long-standing contributions to the RAIC and to the architectural profession.
Full Members may be nominated for Life Membership if they are a member in good standing with the RAIC and have made distinguished and sustained contributions to the RAIC and the architectural profession.
Benefits of Life Membership:
- Retain all benefits and privileges of full RAIC membership
- Are exempt from paying future membership dues
- Receive formal recognition, including a certificate presented at an RAIC event
- May be invited to contribute to mentorship and leadership initiatives
To learn more about eligibility, the nomination process, and how Life Membership is awarded, please consult the FAQ, Full Policy, and Terms of Reference.
Affiliate Membership
Affiliate membership is available for those who are involved in the design and construction industry and who are associated with the architectural profession. They may be persons, corporations, organizations or other entities.
Affiliates in good standing may indicate that they are Affiliates of RAIC but they cannot use the abbreviation RAIC.
Associate Membership
There are two categories of Associates:
International Associate
International Associate membership is reserved for those who have an architectural license or the equivalent from a non-Canadian licensing authority and demonstrate good standing in the profession in the locale in which they are licensed. Such persons may be resident within or outside of Canada.
International Associates in good standing may indicate that they are International Associates of RAIC, and may use the title International Associate RAIC or Int’l Assoc. RAIC but not RAIC Associate or the initials RAIC alone or the initials IARAIC as a suffix to their names.
Student Associate
Student Associate membership is designed for individuals enrolled in architectural studies. To qualify for free membership as a student associate, you must be enrolled full-time in:
- A bachelor’s degree program in architecture or an allied field at a Canadian University School of Architecture,
- A professional degree program in architecture at a Canadian University School of Architecture,
- RAIC Centre for Architecture (Athabasca University),
- RAIC Syllabus Program.
Student Associates may indicate their affiliation as Student Associates of the RAIC but cannot use the abbreviation RAIC in any form. Student Associate membership is offered free of charge.