Practice Bulletins

Practice Bulletins are issued by the AAA as general interpretations of the requirements in the Architects Act, General Regulation, and Bylaws. Bulletins should be read in conjunction with the ActRegulations and Bylaws and in no way supersede these documents. Bulletins are not intended to be and are not legal advice to the Members of the Association. Members should consult their own legal counsel, and/or income tax or financial advisors as to the application of the Architects Act and Regulation in specific circumstances.

PB-02 | Partnership: A Business Marriage

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin provides an introductory review of partnerships and summarizes the provisions of the Partnership Act of Alberta, which applies to all partnerships unless agreed otherwise.

Document Type: PDF (233 KB)


PB-04 | Intern Architects

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

Practice Bulletin-04 provides information on the training, limitations and requirements of the Intern Architect membership category.

Document Type: PDF (201 KB)


PB-05 | Limitations Act

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin explores the Alberta Limitations Act and its effects on members of our professions.

Document Type: PDF (1 MB)


PB-06 | Succession

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses questions that frequently arise when an Architect or Licensed Interior Designer must be changed through the course of services. Both the successor and predecessor have responsibilities they must uphold.

This Bulletin also outlines the procedures that successors must follow in fulfilling their professional obligations under Section 43 of the Architects Act General Regulation.

Document Type: PDF (233 KB)


PB-07A | Maintaining Profitability - Hourly Rate

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This is is first in a series of Practice Bulletins that will address the issue of maintaining profitability in a firm. This Practice Bulletin explores hourly rate and provides tips that are useful when preparing client/professional agreements.

Document Type: PDF (212 KB)


PB-07B | Maintaining Profitability - Understanding Overhead

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin looks at the importance of understanding overhead and offers tips to help practices maintain fiscal control.

Document Type: PDF (207 KB)


PB-07C | Maintaining Profitability - Management Control

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin explores actual expenditures of overhead and the management control necessary to keep it at an acceptable level.

Document Type: PDF (210 KB)


PB-13 | Substantial Performance

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

PB-13 reviews the importance of "Substantial Performance" within a construction contract and how to fully understand its significance.

This Practice Bulletin has been revised to reflect a transition from the retired Builders’ Lien Act to the Prompt Payment & Construction Lien Act.

Document Type: PDF (227 KB)


PB-14 | WCB Coverage and You

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

There is varied understanding on the issue of architects and licensed interior designers and their involvement with WCB in Alberta. This Practice Bulletin reviews the workers' compensation program and how it impacts our professions.

Document Type: PDF (203 KB)


PB-15 | Documents Authentication

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin provides information regarding the standard of care in the use and application of the professional seal as well as the rules and rationale for digital certificates.

This Bulletin replaces the previous: Practice Bulletin 15 – Using the Professional Seal Correctly – “Think Before You Seal” and Practice Bulletin 23 - Electronic Document Certification.

Document Type: PDF (285 KB)


PB-16 | Request for Proposals - A Critical Tool in the Selection Process

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is becoming the standard on most projects involving public funds to ensure that the public interest is protected. PB-16 reviews the types of RFP's and offers guidance on responding to RFP's.

Document Type: PDF (242 KB)


PB-17 | Copyright and Intellectual Property

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin provides advice and guidelines that AAA members can present to clients regarding copyright protection and management, distribution and sharing of electronic documents.

Document Type: PDF (214 KB)


PB-18 | Management of Practice: Unauthorized Practice

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

The purpose of this Practice Bulletin is to advise members of their rights, duties and roles within a self-governing profession.

Document Type: PDF (258 KB)


PB-24 | C1 and C2 Schedules

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin advises member of their rights and duties related to an appropriate code of conduct with respect to the issuance or with-holding of Schedules C1 and C2, under circumstances where the architect is at issue with either the client of the contractor.

Document Type: PDF (212 KB)


PB-26 | Professional Involvement on Building Projects

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin highlights variations in the applicable Alberta legislation used to determine if the participation of an architect or licensed interior designer is required for a project.

New: Enhance your learning and earn 1.0 Structured learning hours - register for the the free PB-26 course and quiz.

Document Type: PDF (632 KB)


PB-27 | Providing Design Services During Project Procurement

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses in more detail, procurement processes for architectural or licensed interior design services that require design work to be provided as part of the ranking criteria for consultant selection.

Document Type: PDF (219 KB)


PB-28 | As-Built and Record Drawings - They Are Not the Same Thing

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin provides information and best practice recommendations with regard to the difference between "Record", "As Built", "Measured" or "As Found" drawings on a project.

Document Type: PDF (634 KB)


PB-29 | Attribution: Credit for Architectural Services

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin provides guidance to help members ensure that attribution for architectural services is accurate.

Document Type: PDF (762 KB)


PB-30 | RFP Responses from Out-of-Province Professionals

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses inquiries from professionals outside of Alberta who wish to pursue work in the province in response to an RFP.

Document Type: PDF (206 KB)


PB-31 | Release of Electronic Documents

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses recommended practice regarding the release of documents and restricting liability associated with the release of full sets of complete project documents to third parties.

Document Type: PDF (227 KB)


PB-32 | Fees and the AAA

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin is intended to clarify the role of the AAA in respect to its authority to regulate fee arrangements and to emphasize the professional and ethical obligations of authorized entities.

Document Type: PDF (202 KB)


PB-33 | Personal Supervision, Direction and Control

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses the obligations of registered architects and licensed interior designers when providing their services and applying a seal.

Document Type: PDF (249 KB)


PB-34 | Prompt Payment & Construction Lien Act

Last Modified: 01/05/2024

This Practice Bulletin addresses the transition of the Builders’ Lien Act to the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, as it will affect the construction industry and the role of the architect.

Document Type: PDF (344 KB)