| What title will these people hold?
Council has agreed to revisit this question and will find
an acceptable title based on the input being sought from
members and stakeholders.
Why is APEGGA introducing the new category?
APEGGA’s mandate is to protect the public by regulating
the practice of engineering, geology and geophysics in Alberta.
Some persons currently practicing the professions under supervision
of a professional are qualified to practice within a specific
area but do not meet the current requirements for unrestricted
professional licensure. This is primarily because their academic
background does not meet current requirements but they may
have years of solid experience. Many working individuals
find it difficult to challenge exams or take university-level
courses in material unrelated to their specialization but
currently required under the general syllabi.
The three groups are:
Internationally Trained Practitioners
Graduates of international engineering, geology or geophysics
programs who wish to practice in Canada but have difficulty
establishing academic credentials.
Emerging Disciplines and Others
University science or engineering graduates whose practice
is engineering, geology or geophysics. This situation often
arises with specialized practitioners whose academic background
does not match APEGGA’s established syllabi.
Related Science Professions
Professional scientists such as chemists, biologists, physicists,
environmental scientists and medical doctors, including
internationally educated scientists, whose practice is
deemed to be engineering, geology or geophysics.
APEGGA believes that it is in the best interest of the public
to license the practice of qualified individuals, and to
allow them the right to practice within their specialized
area. Unfortunately, many of the individuals in the groups
outlined above are well qualified to practice engineering,
geology or geophysics within their scopes, but are currently
prevented from obtaining licensure. APEGGA Council believes
that extending licensure to these individuals is important
if we are to fulfill our mandate of protecting the public.
How will this improve public safety?
First of all, the Board of Examiners will ensure that these
people have the academic qualifications and experience to
qualify them to practice within the defined scope before
a license will be issued.
Secondly, as members of the Association they will be subject
to our discipline process, professional practice exam, Continuing
Professional Development and our code of ethics, just like
all other members. APEGGA believes that it is better to have
these people licenced and regulated than unregulated and
practicing as they are now.
How is this category different from Professional Engineer,
Geologist or Geophysicist?
Individuals would be licensed to practice engineering, geology
or geophysics under a defined scope of practice, based on
demonstration of competence. They would enjoy all the rights
and privileges of membership, including the right to vote
and sit on APEGGA Council and committees, and to enjoy member
benefits, but would not qualify for inter-provincial mobility
until other associations have a comparable category.
How would APEGGA ensure that individuals licensed in this
category are qualified to practice?
APEGGA will use a process comparable to that used for the
category Registered Professional Technologist. Required is
an academic background acceptable to the Board of Examiners
including a minimum of a four-year degree or equivalent,
in engineering, geology, geophysics, science or medicine,
related to the proposed scope of practice, from a university
or college. Other requirements, including experience, language
proficiency, character and professional references, will
be the same as for membership as a P.Eng., P.Geol. or P.Geoph.
Is there an exam route alternative proposed for these categories?
No. Due to the flexibility already inherent in the classification,
no exam route alternative for academic qualification is currently
proposed.
Would these individuals be able to stamp drawings or sign
reports and take responsibility for their work?
Yes, but only within their defined scopes.
How would the defined scope of practice be determined?
In the same way it is for a Registered Professional Technologist.
The candidate would have to satisfy the Board of Examiners
that the proposed scope of practice is appropriate to his
or her academic qualifications and experience.
What citizenship criteria must these practitioners meet?
They must have the legal right to work in Canada.
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