Architects Act Legislation Updates Status
Several years ago, the AAA undertook the initiative to update the Architects Act. One of the areas of significant revision proposed was the scope of professional involvement, specifically for increasing involvement for Part 9 buildings. What is the status on this?
A Legislation Review process was completed by the AAA in 2013 and resulted in several
consultation and recommendation outcomes. The recommendation revisions to the
Architects Act are current under review by the Government of Alberta (GoA) and the AAA continues to work with the GoA to enact these changes.
Since the Legislation Review consultations were completed, the AAA has developed
Practice Bulletin 26 - Professional Involvement on Building Projects to provide guidance to design professionals and Authorities having Jurisdiction about some of the discrepancies between the
Safety Codes Act/Alberta Building Code and the
Architects Act for the purpose of highlighting differences in the methods used for determining professional involvement and to serve as a reminder that both
Acts apply. This means that in instances where there are difference between the
Safety Codes Act and the
Architects Act, the most restrictive provision applies.
Harmonization of Architects Act and Safety Codes Act
The potential 'harmonization' of the Architects Act and National Building Code - Alberta Edition was mentioned during the webinar presentation. Are there any timelines for these efforts?
The reference made during the webinar to the harmonization of the
Safety Codes Act/National Building Codes (Alberta Edition) and the
Architects Act relates to methods for determination of professional involvement. There is no established timeline that has been confirmed for this effort. Both near-term and long-term approaches are being considered. Until such time as the harmonization of methods for determining the professional involvement requirements on Alberta building projects is conducted, design professional and Authorities Having Jurisdiction are reminded that both
Acts apply. This means that in instances where there are differences between the
Safety Codes Act and the
Architects Act, the most restrictive provision applies.
The AAA has developed
Practice Bulletin 26 - Professional Involvement on Building Projects to provide guidance to design professionals and Authorities having Jurisdiction about some of the discrepancies between the
Safety Codes Act/Alberta Building Code and the
Architects Act for the purpose of highlighting differences in the methods used for determining professional involvement and to serve as a reminder that both
Acts apply.
AAA Authority to Develop Practice Policies
Which clause in the Architects Act enables policy to be issued through Practice Bulletins?
Under Section 39(1) of the Architects Act, the Practice Review Board possesses the authority to establish educational standards, experience requirements, standards of practice competency and general standards of practice for authorized architectural and licensed interior design entities on their own initiative and at the request of Council.
AAA Authority to Regulate Practices of Architecture & Licensed Interior Design
With reference to Architects Act definition of the "practice of architecture," which clause(s) in the Architects Act or Regulations and/or which clause(s) in the Safety Codes Act prohibit unauthorized/unlicensed individuals from submitting Development Permit Applications?
Section 2(1), 2(5) and 2.1(1) of the Architects Act states that no person other than the authorized entities (architects, interior designers and their registered practice arrangements) as registered with the AAA may be involved in the "….planning, design and giving advice on the design…" for all new, addition and renovation building projects except where exempted by Section 2(6) that generally describes small, non-complex buildings of certain occupancies and below certain sizes. In accordance with these sections, practices of architecture and [licensed] interior design extend across all stages of the planning, design and construction process, including the development and submission of records used to support the development permit application process.