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 Act, Regulations 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

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.

PB-04 | Intern Architects

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

PB-05 | Limitations Act

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

PB-06 | Succession

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. New: Enhance your learning and earn 1.0 Structured learning hours - register for the the free PB-06 course and quiz. Please use the completion certificate to self-report to your AAA Transcript.

PB-07A | Maintaining Profitability - Hourly Rate

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.

PB-07B | Maintaining Profitability - Understanding Overhead

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

PB-07C | Maintaining Profitability - Management Control

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

PB-13 | Substantial Performance

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.

PB-14 | WCB Coverage and You

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.

PB-15 | Documents Authentication

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.

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

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.

PB-17 | Copyright and Intellectual Property

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.

PB-18 | Management of Practice: Unauthorized Practice

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

PB-24 | C1, C2 and C3 Schedules

This Practice Bulletin advises members of their rights and duties related to appropriate conduct with respect to the issuance of, or the withholding of, Schedules C1, C2 and C3 where the Architect is at issue with either the client or the contractor.

PB-26 | Professional Involvement on Building Projects

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.

PB-27 | Providing Design Services During Project Procurement

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.

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

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.

PB-29 | Attribution: Credit for Architectural Services

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

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

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

PB-31 | Release of Electronic Documents

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.

PB-32 | Fees and the AAA

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.

PB-33 | Personal Supervision, Direction and Control

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

PB-34 | Prompt Payment & Construction Lien Act

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.

PB-35 | Practice Arrangements

This practice bulletin addresses the obligations of registered architects and licensed interior designers when establishing a practice arrangement.

PB-36 | Professional Liability Insurance

This Practice Bulletin provides information on the requirement for mandatory Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) for the AAA Practice Arrangements. Refer to Practice Bulletin 35 for more information on what is a Practice Arrangement.