AAPIA History

1903

The Technical Faculty of the Republic

The Technical Faculty of the Republic is established, which later becomes the CFIA (The Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) through Law No. 4925 of 1971.

1993

UPADI

The first Seminar and Congress on Engineering Accreditation is held under UPADI (Pan-American Federation of Engineering Societies), marking the beginning of CFIA’s participation in these processes.

1994

CIDA

The project “Accreditation of Engineering Programs in Latin America” is promoted with the support of CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency).

1996

Accreditation

The CFIA Accreditation Committee is established, and the first Accreditation Manual is developed.

1997

Permanent Joint Commission

The CFIA Representatives’ Assembly, under Minutes No. 07-96/97 AER, adopted on July 24, 1997, agrees to establish a Permanent Joint Commission responsible for all Accreditation Processes for Engineering and Architecture programs.

1998

Accreditation Council

The CFIA Accreditation Council is established, serving as the foundation for the future AAPIA.

2000

Standards

The Accreditation Joint Commission promotes evaluations based on CEAB (Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board) criteria, accrediting 12 engineering programs and applying NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board) and UIA-UNESCO standards as references for architecture programs.

2003

Professional Training Department

The CFIA Professional Training Department is established in 2004 to implement the agreements of the Accreditation Joint Commission and strengthen ties with the academic sector.

2004

Accreditation Agency for Engineering and Architecture

The CFIA Accreditation System is established, and the Accreditation Agency for Engineering and Architecture is promoted.

2005

Accreditation Functions

AAPIA begins carrying out accreditation functions at the national level

2006

Technical Resolutions

The CFIA General Board of Directors (JDG), through Agreement No. 13, approves:“(…) to delegate to AAPIA the recommendation of technical resolutions on accreditation matters.”

2008

Washington Accord

AAPIA and CEAB agree to technical cooperation to develop the accreditation structure and pursue membership in the Washington Accord.

2015

AAPIA obtains provisional membership in the Washington Accord, with the support of the Canadian and Irish accreditation agencies

2020

Lima Accord

AAPIA obtains full membership in the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) under the Washington Accord. The Lima Accord is established.

2023

RIACES

Within the framework of the 20th Assembly of RIACES (Ibero-American Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), AAPIA is accepted as a full member.

2024

ANPADEH and LACCEI

ANPADEH (National Accreditation Board for Architecture and Space & Habitat Disciplines Programs) acts as a partner/mentor to support AAPIA in joining the Canberra Accord.

An alliance is established with LACCEI (Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions).

2025

SINAES

SINAES (National System for Accreditation of Higher Education) recognizes AAPIA-accredited degrees through Resolution No. 1828-2025.

AAPIA agrees to join ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education).

AAPIA obtains observer membership in the CANBERRA Accord.

AAPIA obtains observer membership in the SEOUL Accord.

2026

Today

Specialized Commissions are created for AAPIA.

Training activities are conducted, and Regional Accreditation processes begin.