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Path To Designation – Candidate Member

How to Become a Candidate Member?

A Candidate Member typically works actively in the profession, earning money as an appraiser-in-training and taking courses  simultaneously. If you have successfully completed at least two years of post-secondary education from a college, Cégep or university, you can get started on becoming a Candidate Member of the AIC today!

What steps do I follow?

Post-secondary education

If you have completed at least two years of post-secondary studies at a Canadian university, college or Cégep, you can become a Candidate Member as you work towards obtaining your AACI or CRA designation.

industry education

Complete the following courses:

AIC 101 – Introduction to the Valuation Profession

BUSI 330 – Foundations of Real Estate, or equivalent

professional practice

Complete the AIC 102: Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar.

The AIC Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar is a step in Student Membership, and must be completed prior to being accepted as a Candidate.

apply for membership

Complete a Candidate or Student Member Application Form, and submit it to your provincial office.

How to earn an AIC Designation as a Candidate Member

You need 2 components to complete all Candidate Member requirements: Courses and Applied Experience.

The courses are offered entirely online by the University of British Columbia, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world.

CRA Designation

AIC/UBC Courses:

  • BUSI 100 – Micro Foundations of Real Estate Economics
  • BUSI 101 – Capital Markets and Real Estate (Prerequisite BUSI 100)
  • BUSI 111 – BC Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics OR BUSI 112 – Canadian Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics
  • BUSI 121 – Foundations of Real Estate Mathematics OR BUSI 344 – Statistical and Computer Applications in Valuation
  • BUSI 352 – Case Studies in Residential Appraisal
  • BUSI 400 – Residential Property Analysis
  • BUSI 433 Real Estate Business, OR BUSI 443 Foundations of Real Property Assessment and Mass Appraisal
  • Guided Case Study: BUSI 398 – Residential Property GCS, OR BUSI 444 – Comprehensive Case Study Examination Equivalency.

AIC’s Applied Experience Program requires that CRA Candidates complete BUSI 400 within the first 12 months of becoming a Candidate.

AACI Designation

AIC/UBC Courses:

  • BUSI 100 – Micro Foundations of Real Estate Economics
  • BUSI 101 – Capital Markets and Real Estate (Prerequisite BUSI 100)
  • BUSI 111 – BC Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics OR BUSI 112 – Canadian Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics
  • BUSI 121 – Foundations of Real Estate Mathematics
  • BUSI 293 – Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • BUSI 300 – Urban and Real Estate Economics
  • BUSI 331 – Real Estate Investment Analysis and Advanced Income Appraisal
  • BUSI 344 – Statistical and Computer Applications in Valuation
  • BUSI 400 – Residential Property Analysis*
  • BUSI 401 – Commercial Property Analysis*
  • BUSI 433 Real Estate Business, OR BUSI 443 Foundations of Real Property Assessment and Mass Appraisal
  • BUSI 442 – Case Studies in Appraisal I
  • BUSI 452 – Case Studies in Appraisal II
  • BUSI 460 – Critical Analysis and Forecasting in Real Estate
  • Guided Case Study: BUSI 497 – Agricultural Guided Case Study OR BUSI 499 – Income Property Guided Case Study

AIC’s Applied Experience Program requires that AACI Candidates complete either BUSI 400 or 401 within the first 12 months of becoming a Candidate.

The Applied Experience Program (AEP) provides practical experience within the valuation industry, and ensures that all Candidate Members obtain relevant experience in the application of the First Principles of Value in a professional setting and develop the professional competencies of AIC Members that are expected by clients.

The AEP includes of a series of self-paced webinars which candidates are required to complete prior to taking the AEP Exam in addition to minimum work experience hours and the opportunity to specialize work experience.

CRA Designation

The minimum experience requirement is counted from the day of acceptance into the AEP. Candidates will be notified by the provincial affiliated office of the date of acceptance.

Candidates must attain no less than one year of applied experience prior to writing the CRA Applied Experience Exam.

AACI Designation

The minimum experience requirement is counted from the day of acceptance into the AEP. Candidates will be notified by the provincial affiliated office of the date of acceptance.

Candidates must attain no less than two years of applied experience prior to writing the AACI Applied Experience Exam.

Final Step

The Applied Experience Written Exam (administered by University of British Columbia)

The Applied Experience Written Exam assesses a Candidate Member’s understanding of the First Principles of Value as they relate to experiential knowledge. Experiential knowledge refers to the wisdom gained from experience and insight in applying academic knowledge to actual or simulated situations.

Candidates must complete a university degree before sitting the Applied Experience written exam.

Membership Maintenance

There are a few important Candidate Member requirements you should be aware of. All Candidate Members must adhere to these deadlines and expectations:

DESIGNATION DEADLINE
An AIC designation must be completed within 10 years of becoming a Candidate Member. National and Provincial membership dues are collected each September.
CPD CREDITS
A Candidate must complete 24 continuing professional development credits every two-year cycle including a One-Day Professional Practice Seminar (5 credits) and discretionary credits.
CPY COMPLETION
Completing a Course Per Year (CPY), keeps Candidates on track to their designation and degree. Candidates are expected to advance their formal education, completing one university credit course (12 CPD credits) each cycle.

During the first 12 months of Candidate Membership, Candidates are expected to complete BUSI 400 or BUSI 401.
MANDATORY REVIEW
This new program is designed to advance the Canadian real property appraisal profession and protect the public interest by supporting members and providing education, with a focus on quality of work and compliance with CUSPAP for all Members.

For Fee Members only.
CO-SIGNING
Any appraisal reports signed by a Candidate Member must be co-signed by an AIC-Designated Member who is responsible for adding the Candidate Member to the AIC’s Co-Signing Registry.
INSURANCE
A Candidate Member must be enrolled in AIC’s Professional Liability Insurance Program. Annual renewal occurs each January.

More questions?

Read our Path to Designation Frequently Asked Questions.