membership and professional accreditation
The Four Pillars

The TCIC was founded on the "Four Pillars" of construction professionalism:

  • Education – the lifelong process of learning
  • Experience – knowledge gained through doing
  • Service – giving back to the industry and the community
  • Conduct – adherence to a strict code of professional conduct

As such, TCIC members are recognized for their on-going education, professional development, industry experience and commitment to professionalism and mentorship.

Assessing levels of service and conduct is the jurisdiction of The Construction Institute of Canada's Accreditation Committee.

Pyramid of Opportunity
As TCIC members implement and practice the disciplines embodied in the Four Pillars, their personal progress is recognized by promotion up the six levels of TCIC's "Pyramid of Opportunity." The pyramid has six levels of professionalism, ranging from 'Student Member' up to 'Fellow'.

For Level Requirements, move your pointer over
the Pyramid illustration (left).
Student Member
  • High school graduate
  • Enrolled in post-secondary program
Member
  • 3-years industry experience
  • Ethics workshop (within 1 year)
  • 1 elective TCIC course (within 2 years)
  • Service (community, academic, association)
  • On-going commitment to professional development
Associate
  • 1-year industry experience or graduate of a recognized construction program
  • Ethics workshop (mandatory within 2 years)
  • Service (community, academic, association)
  • On-going commitment to professional development
Certified Professional Constructor
  • 7-years industry experience or graduate of a construction program plus 3-years of experience
  • 4 TCIC courses, including "Bidding and Tendering"
  • Leadership programs or equivalent
  • Ethics workshop (mandatory)
  • 2 industry-sponsored letters of reference
  • Challenge exam or Gold Seal certified
  • Interview
  • On-going commitment to professional development
Certified Master Builder
  • 15-years industry experience
  • Enrolled in Master Builder Program
  • Senior position and Industry Contribution Teach in a TCIC Program or publish article
  • On-going commitment to professional development
Fellow
  • 20-years experience
  • Long-standing senior position
  • Nomination by TCIC Board of Governors
  • Exemplary service to the industry and education
  • On-going commitment to professional development
Summary of Accreditation Level Requirements:
Level Student Member Associate Member Certified Professional Constructor Certified Master Builder Fellow
Education High School + Enrolled in Post Secondary Institute Graduate of a Construction Program
TCIC Mandatory Courses Recognizes Commitment
to a
career path
in the
Construction industry 		Ethics Ethics + one elective Ethics, Leadership, Bidding and Tendering + one elective Must have been a professional constructor, Enrolled in Master Builder Program Appointed by Board of Governors, Exemplary service to industry and education
Mandatory Requirements N/A N/A Challenge TCIC Exam or Gold Seal Certified, Interview + 2 references Senior position and Industry Contribution, Teach in a TCIC Program or publish article Long-standing Senior position in the Construction industry
Experience (minimum) N/A 1 Year 3 Years 7 Years 15 Years 20 Years
Service Community, academic and association
Conduct Ongoing commitment to Professional Development and ethical standards of TCIC

Wide-ranging membership

From the outset one of the Institute's aims has been to create an organization that includes members from every area of the construction industry.

Individuals who are members of other associations, whether they are from Canada or elsewhere, are welcome so long as they are directly connected with the construction industry.

Membership qualifications

Applications, including Student Members, are accepted from all construction industry practitioners regardless of their educational or work histories. Applicants may qualify for entry at higher levels of membership if they meet certain work experience and academic qualifications/equivalency. Decisions respecting appropriate levels of membership are the sole jurisdiction of the TCIC Accreditation Committee, which is comprised of leading construction industry executives.

Entry-level applicants can qualify for higher levels of membership by participating in TCIC's Accreditation Program which combines industry-specific course material and work experience. Applicants must also meet appropriate levels of conduct and service.

Rigorous Standards

In its capacity as a qualifying body for industry practitioner applicants, and in its role of overseeing construction industry self-regulation, TCIC maintains rigorous standards. In spite of the challenges of working in an industry characterized by intense competition, narrow margins, delayed cash flow, high levels of lender participation, demanding performance specifications, constantly changing legislation, strict workplace safety and environmental controls, a growing underground economy, and lengthy and complicated supplementary general conditions, TCIC demands adherence to high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct from each of its members. For this reason buyers of construction work generally view TCIC members with a greater degree of confidence and trust than they do non-members.

Gold Seal Certification

TCIC membership enables indivduals engaged in estimating, project supervision and management to earn Gold Seal Certification. A Gold Seal Certificate is the national standard for construction management competence and is recognized by construction employers across Canada.