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Qualification with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The Building Code Act requires that a range of individuals and firms responsible for design activities regulated under the Act be qualified in their appropriate area of design and, when required, registered with the Province. Individuals and, in some instances, their firms must file with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to obtain a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN).
The Ministry’s Qualification and Registration Tracking System (QuARTS) includes a public registry of qualified designers and registered firms. For more information, visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.
For certain projects, such as most industrial / commercial / institutional construction, a qualified or registered designer is not sufficient and the drawings must be stamped by an architect, professional engineer or both. Refer to Division C, Section 1.2 of the Building Code for specific requirements, or contact the Building Services department. The seals and signatures of architects and professional engineers are required to be original on at least one set of drawings. Refer to the City of Guelph permit application requirements for additional information.
Finding a qualified designer and registered firm
There are several resources available to find a qualified designer or registered firm, including local online classified listings and internet searches. The following internet search terms may help you in finding a qualified designer or registered firm:
- BCIN drafting services
- Drafting services
- BCIN qualified designer
- BCIN house designer
- House designer Ontario
- Registered and qualified designer
- Registered and qualified designer BCIN
- Registered design firm
- Registered drafting services
- Registered drafting services Guelph
Note: Ensure all designers are qualified in the area(s) of design that fits your project, and registered where required, with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – QuARTS (Qualification and Registration Tracking System).
Qualified designers and registered firms
In addition to the internet search, the following Associations and Organizations have listings or
contact information for local designers:
- Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario (AATO)
- Listings: aato.ca/more/find-a-designer/
- Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO)
- Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
- Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO)
Note: Ensure all designers are qualified in the area(s) of design that fits your project, and registered where required, with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing – QuARTS (Qualification and Registration Tracking System). Architects licensed through the OAA and professional engineers licensed through the PEO typically do not need to also file with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, however, all other designers are required to.
Disclaimer
The City of Guelph does not specifically endorse any individual designer or organization.
This list has been assembled for general information purposes only.