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Path To Designation – Accelerated Candidate Member

How to Become a Candidate Member

If you have completed a business or commerce degree from a Canadian university, you can pursue your AACI designation in conjunction with the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Post-Graduate Certificate in Real Property Valuation program (PGCV). This accelerated program consists of 6 courses (5 mandatory – including BUSI 330 – and 1 elective) and a guided case study.

What steps do I follow?

STEP 1

Take these courses: 

AIC 101 – Introduction to the Appraisal Profession (3-hour webinar available online most months)

BUSI 330 – Foundations of Real Estate or equivalent (an online UBC course, available 3 times a year)

STEP 2

Complete the AIC Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar (ITPP):

The AIC Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar must be completed prior to being accepted as a Candidate.

STEP 3

Fill out an Application Form:

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

NOTE: As part of the Candidate application process, new applicants will be subject to a mandatory Criminal Record Check. More information is available in the application form

I’ve registered as a Candidate Member

What's next?
How to Earn an AIC Designation as a Candidate Member

You need 3 components to complete all Candidate Member requirements: Courses, Applied Experience and Work Product Review.

What courses do I take?

The courses are all online through the University of British Columbia, so you can take them from anywhere in the world.

Core Courses

The following courses are required in the PGCV program:

BUSI 331 Real Estate Investment Analysis and Advanced Income Appraisal

BUSI 401 Commercial Property Analysis

BUSI 442 Case Studies in Appraisal I

BUSI 452 Case Studies in Appraisal II

Guided Case Study: BUSI 497 – Agricultural Guided Case Study OR BUSI 499 – Income Property Guided Case Study

Elective Courses

In addition to the 5 core courses, 1 of the following elective courses is required:

BUSI 300 Foundations of Real Estate Economics

BUSI 344 Statistical and Computer Applications in Valuation (as of January 2007)

BUSI 443 Foundations of Real Property Assessment and Mass Appraisal

BUSI 460 Critical Analysis and Forecasting

What applied experience do I need?

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

What is the Work Product Review?

Work Product Review (WPR) involves having two (2) pieces of your appraisal work assessed by National Peer Reviewers. A Candidate Member can begin submitting appraisals for WPR while still enrolled in the Applied Experience Program. The WPR ensures that work product completed and submitted by a CRA or Candidate Member is in compliance with the CUSPAP. Further:

  • Submissions must be successfully reviewed prior to uploading your next work product.
  • Each submission should provide evidence of growth and complexity of assignment.
  • Each submission should provide a different focus for the report.

I’ve completed my courses, work experience and work product review

What's next?
Final Steps

There are two steps left before you earn your AIC designation:

Step 1:

The Applied Experience Written Exam (administered by UBC)

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.

Step 2:

The Professional Competency Interview (conducted by trained AIC Examiners)

The Professional Competency Interview (PCI) is the final step on the path to designation. It is based on Behavioural Descriptive Interview (BDI) techniques, and is carried out by trained examiners who have passed the Applied Experience Written Examination. A satisfactory answer is required for each of the five competencies.

Click here to read some other helpful information for AIC Candidate Members.

I have completed my Applied Experience Written Exam and my Professional Competency Interview

What's next?
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

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

Deadline to Complete Designation

An AIC designation must be completed within 10 years of becoming a Candidate Member.

Continuing Professional Development

A Candidate must complete 24 credits every two-year cycle including one university credit course (12 credits) and a One-Day Professional Practice Seminar (7 credits) plus five discretionary credits.

Candidate 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.

Professional Liability Insurance

A Candidate Member must be enrolled in AIC’s Professional Liability Insurance Program.

More questions? Read our Path to Designation Frequently Asked Questions.