Online AutoCAD Certification Course for Architectural Drafting (Waterloo)

Learn AutoCAD by drafting a complete set of residential construction documents. This self-paced online course takes you from your first line to floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans and detail sheets, the drawings architectural and construction firms produce every day. It also prepares you for two Autodesk certifications: the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) and the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting.

AutoCAD software is provided for the length of your enrollment, and your ACU exam voucher is included.

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Course at a Glance

Software
AutoCAD provided for the duration of the course.
Certifications
Prepares you for Autodesk Certified User (ACU) and Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP)
Exam Voucher
ACU exam voucher included
Course Hours
140 hours
Access
6 months
Start anytime
Format
Self-paced video lessons
Practice projects
eBooks
Email support from industry experts
Prerequisites
None
Tuition
$4,759.00 CAD

 Is This the Right AutoCAD Course for You?  


This course is a good fit if you want to draft buildings. It's 140 hours of self-paced, project-based training in 2D architectural drafting, and every major project is a residential drawing set. It suits career changers and new drafters who want an Autodesk certification, and employees whose roles now require AutoCAD. It isn't designed for 3D modelling, mechanical part design or civil infrastructure. For civil work, see our Civil 3D Certification Training.

What You'll Draft in This Course

Most AutoCAD courses teach commands in isolation. This one teaches them by having you build the same kind of drawing set an architectural office sends to a builder. Over five modules you'll produce:

  1. Introduction to AutoCAD. You'll learn the interface while drawing architectural and electrical symbols, kitchen and bath fixtures, and walls, doors and windows. Then you'll place them on sheets, dimension them and plot them.
  2. Intermediate AutoCAD. You'll complete a floor plan and roof plan, add a structural foundation plan and electrical plan, and draw and finalize building elevations.
  3. Construction Documents I. You'll build a residential floor plan into a coordinated sheet set with a title block, paper space elements, keynotes and finished elevations.
  4. Construction Documents II. You'll add a site plan, building sections, detail drawings with callouts, and a title sheet, and practise updating drawings when the design changes.
  5. CAD Detailing. You'll create detail sheets, incorporate manufacturer information and produce millwork drawings.

By the end, you'll have a complete construction document set you can show an employer. You'll also have the practical skills the Autodesk ACU and ACP exams assess.

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) AutoCAD badge

Level 1: Autodesk Certified User (ACU)

Entry-Level Certification

Voucher included with this course.

Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) AutoCAD badge

Level 2: Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP)

Professional-Level Certification

Recommended after hands-on drafting experience.

AutoCAD Basics vs. AutoCAD Certification Training 

  • AutoCAD Basics

    • Best for: Learning the fundamentals before committing to certification
    • Course hours: 60
    • Access: 3 months
    • Exam voucher: Not included
    • Tuition: $2,659.00 CAD

      View AutoCAD Basics

  • AutoCAD Certification Training (this course) 

    • Best for: Building a full architectural drawing set and preparing for Autodesk certification
      Course hours: 140
      Access: 6 months
      Exam voucher: ACU voucher included
      Tuition: $4,759.00 CAD
Drafter working on AutoCAD floor plan

Careers That Use AutoCAD

AutoCAD is one of the most widely used drafting tools in architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing. According to the federal Job Bank, employment for CAD specialists and drafters in Canada is expected to remain stable, with labour demand and supply projected to be broadly balanced through 2033. The occupation employed approximately 37,700 workers in Canada in 2023.

Architectural drafter reviewing construction drawings

AutoCAD skills can support roles such as CAD technician, architectural drafter, junior designer, construction documentation specialist and engineering support technician. Firms set their own drafting standards, so expect to adapt what you learn to your employer's templates and conventions. A recognized Autodesk certification, plus a portfolio of finished drawings, helps show employers you can do that.

 AutoCAD Course FAQs 

Is AutoCAD software included?

Yes. AutoCAD is provided for the duration of the course, so you don't need to buy a separate subscription while you study.

Should I learn AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks or Inventor?

The right CAD tool depends on the industry you want to work in.

  • AutoCAD is the most versatile 2D drafting tool. It's used in architecture, construction, electrical, civil and mechanical work, and it's often the first CAD skill employers ask for.
  • Revit is used for building information modelling (BIM) in architecture and building design.
  • SolidWorks and Inventor are 3D parametric modelling tools, widely used in mechanical design and manufacturing.
  • Civil 3D is built for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

If you're unsure, AutoCAD is the safest starting point. Its drafting fundamentals carry over to every other CAD platform.

How long does it take to learn AutoCAD?

The course includes 140 hours of content and six months of access. Most learners can produce basic drawings within a few weeks and complete construction documents by the end of the course.

How long do I have to finish?

You have six months to complete 140 hours of content, which works out to roughly five to six hours a week. Enrollment is open, so you can start whenever you're ready. Course access can take 24 to 48 business hours to set up after you register.

Is this a college credential?

No. This is a non-credit professional development course. When you pass the final exam, you receive a certificate of completion. The Autodesk certification is earned separately by passing the Autodesk exam.

Is there an instructor?

The course is self-paced with no live classes. You learn through video lessons, practice projects and eBooks, and you can email questions to an industry expert whenever you get stuck.

Can I take this course on a Mac or Chromebook?

No. The course must be taken on a PC running Windows 10 or later. AutoCAD is provided for the duration of your enrollment and must be installed and working before you begin.

Is this AutoCAD course architectural or mechanical?

Architectural. Every project in the course is a residential building drawing: floor plans, roof plans, foundation and electrical plans, elevations, sections, a site plan, details and millwork. The drafting skills transfer to other fields, but if you need mechanical part design or 3D modelling, a different course will suit you better.

Does the course cover 3D modelling?

No. The course focuses on 2D drafting and construction documents, which is what the Autodesk ACU and ACP AutoCAD exams assess and what most entry-level drafting roles involve day to day.

Which exam voucher is included?

Your enrollment includes a voucher for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) exam. The course content also prepares you for the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting exam, which is purchased separately through Autodesk at a standard retail price of US$200.

Should I take the ACU or the ACP exam first?

Most learners start with the ACU. Autodesk recommends roughly 400 to 1,200 hours of real-world AutoCAD experience in an architectural environment before attempting the ACP, so the ACP is usually a goal for after you've been drafting on the job for a while.

What is the Autodesk ACP AutoCAD exam like?

According to Autodesk, the ACP exam is 120 minutes long with 45 to 60 selected-response questions, including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and interactive screen questions. You do not use the AutoCAD software during the exam. It can be written in person at a Pearson VUE test centre or online through Pearson OnVUE.

How long does an Autodesk AutoCAD certification last?

Autodesk's ACP certification is valid for three years. To renew it, you retake and pass the current exam before your certification expires.

Can I enroll employees from my company?

Yes. Because the course is online and self-paced, staff can train around their work schedule. Contact Pathways to discuss enrolling one or more employees.

 Skills You'll Build 

  • Set up drawings with the right units, templates and layers
  • Draw and edit with precision using object snaps and coordinates
  • Create reusable blocks for symbols, fixtures and title blocks
  • Dimension, annotate and keynote drawings clearly
  • Reference external files to build coordinated details
  • Set up sheet layouts and viewports, and plot to scale
  • Organize a complete construction document set following U.S. National CAD Standard conventions
  • Prepare for the Autodesk ACU and ACP AutoCAD exams

Prerequisites and Requirements 

There are no prerequisites. Before writing an Autodesk exam, you should be comfortable with technical drawing basics, the AutoCAD interface and help system, draw order for overlapping objects, and inquiry commands such as List, ID, Distance and Area. The course covers all of these.

Computer requirements: You'll need a PC running Windows 10 or later, the latest Chrome or Firefox (Edge and Safari also work), and a personal email account. AutoCAD is provided for the duration of your enrollment and must be installed and working before you begin.

Register for the AutoCAD Certification Course 

This course is 100% online with open enrollment, so you can start whenever you're ready. Tuition is $4,759.00 CAD and includes AutoCAD software for the length of your enrollment and your ACU exam voucher. Have a question first? Ask us.

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Writing Your Autodesk Exam in Waterloo

Autodesk's Certified Professional exams are delivered by Pearson VUE, either in person at a test centre or online through Pearson OnVUE. Pathways is an authorized Pearson VUE test centre at 248 Stirling Avenue South in Kitchener, with evening and weekend testing times. Contact us to check whether your Autodesk exam can be booked at our centre, or learn more about Pearson VUE testing at Pathways.

 AutoCAD Training for Your Employees 

When a drafter leaves or a project grows, someone on your team often has to learn AutoCAD quickly. This course lets employees build real drafting skills without leaving work for a classroom. They learn on their own schedule over six months and finish with a complete construction document set and preparation for Autodesk certification. Contact Pathways to discuss enrolling your staff.

ACU vs. ACP: Which AutoCAD Certification Do You Need?

Autodesk offers different certification levels for AutoCAD users. The Autodesk Certified User (ACU) is an entry-level credential, while the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) is designed for users with more advanced skills and hands-on experience.

Autodesk Certified User (ACU)

Level
Entry level
Best for
New learners, students and career changers
Recommended experience
Entry-level AutoCAD skills
Exam provider
Certiport
Included in this course
Exam preparation and ACU voucher

Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP)

Level
Professional
Best for
Drafters with real-world architectural drafting experience
Recommended experience
About 400 to 1,200 hours of real-world AutoCAD use
Exam format
120 minutes, 45 to 60 selected-response questions, no software access
Exam provider
Pearson VUE (in person or online through OnVUE)
Exam fee
US$200 standard retail price, paid to Autodesk
Valid for
3 years
Included in this course
Exam preparation

Which certification is right for you? Start with the ACU. It validates your foundational skills, and your voucher is included. Plan for the ACP once you've been drafting on real projects for a while, since Autodesk recommends several hundred hours of hands-on experience first. Exam details are from Autodesk's ACP certification page.

Learning AutoCAD: Beginner Questions

How do I learn AutoCAD as a beginner online?

Start with a structured course that teaches commands through real projects rather than isolated tutorials. Learn the interface and basic drawing tools first, then layers, blocks and dimensions, then layouts and plotting. Pathways' online AutoCAD course follows that sequence through a full set of residential construction drawings, with AutoCAD software included.

How can I learn AutoCAD quickly?

Practise on real drawings rather than only watching tutorials, and learn the command aliases early. Typing L for Line, C for Circle, TR for Trim, M for Move and CO for Copy is much faster than clicking through menus. Most beginners can produce basic drawings within a few weeks, while reaching job-ready construction documents takes longer.

Is it worth learning AutoCAD in 2026?

Yes, for anyone heading into drafting, architecture, construction or engineering support. AutoCAD remains a standard 2D drafting tool, and its fundamentals carry over to Revit, Civil 3D and other CAD platforms. According to the federal Job Bank, labour demand and supply for CAD specialists and drafters in Canada are projected to stay broadly balanced through 2033.

Can I learn AutoCAD completely online?

Yes. This course is delivered entirely online through self-paced video lessons, practice projects and eBooks, with AutoCAD software provided for your enrollment. No in-person attendance is required. If you choose to write the Autodesk ACP exam, you can take it at a Pearson VUE test centre or online through Pearson OnVUE.

Do I need to know drafting before learning AutoCAD?

No. The course has no prerequisites and teaches drafting conventions, such as symbols, dimensions, title blocks and sheet organization, alongside the software. Some familiarity with reading plans or basic geometry helps, but it isn't required.

Is AutoCAD suitable for someone with no CAD experience?

Yes. AutoCAD is a common first CAD program, and its drafting fundamentals carry over to other CAD platforms. This course starts with the interface and basic drawing tools and builds up to complete construction documents, so no previous CAD experience is needed.

Can I learn AutoCAD part-time?

Yes. The course is self-paced with six months of access to 140 hours of content, which works out to about five to six hours a week. You can study evenings or weekends around work or other commitments.

What is the best AutoCAD course for architectural drafting?

Look for four things: projects based on real building drawings, coverage of full construction document sets rather than commands alone, preparation for an Autodesk certification, and software access during the course. Pathways' online AutoCAD course meets all four. Every module is built around a residential drawing set, and both AutoCAD software and an ACU exam voucher are included.

Is AutoCAD or Revit better for architectural design?

They do different jobs. AutoCAD is a 2D drafting tool for precise plans, details and construction documents. Revit is a building information modelling (BIM) tool used to model whole buildings in 3D. Many architectural firms use both, and other options include SketchUp, ArchiCAD and Vectorworks. Learning AutoCAD first gives you drafting fundamentals that carry over to all of them.