Engineers and Geoscientists BC

Competency-Based Assessment

The Engineers and Geoscientists BC Competency Assessment System is now competencyassessment.ca.

This change is the result of a multi-year project supported by Engineers Canada to adapt the system for use by regulators in other jurisdictions across Canada.

About the Competency Assessment System

Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s online system for recording, assessing, and validating engineering and geoscience work experience allows applicants to identify how they meet the organization's competency categories for professional engineering or geoscience registration.

A free webinar titled Path to Professional Licensure is available for viewing in the Knowledge Centre.

Engineering applicants, please refer to the Engineering Competency Assessment Guide.
Geoscience applicants, please refer to the Geoscience Competency Assessment Guide.

Who Can Use the System

Students, engineers-in-training, geoscientists-in-training, and applicants for professional engineer, professional geoscientist or professional licensee (engineering only), are eligible to use the Competency Assessment System.

The Engineering Competencies

A list of all 34 key competencies with generic indicators is available.

Discipline-specific technical competency indicators are available for the following areas of practice:

Canadian Environment Competencies

The requirement for experience in a Canadian environment is assessed using Canadian environment competencies. Previously, Canadian environment experience was demonstrated through a time-based requirement (i.e., at least 12 months in a Canadian environment).

The Canadian environment competencies are a subset of eight competencies that have been identified from the existing 34 competencies of the competency framework, and that best demonstrates knowledge and experience of Canadian regulations, codes, standards, quality control, safety awareness, professional accountability and communication. The intent is to align the assessment method of the Canadian environment competency requirement with the online Competency Assessment System and to provide better definition and objectivity.

In order to satisfy the Canadian environment experience requirement, all professional engineering applicants are required to achieve each of the Canadian competencies at the minimum category level.

For more information, please refer to the Guide to Canadian Environment Competencies for Applicants and Assessors.

The Geoscience Competencies

A list of all 29 Work Experience Competencies with generic (non-discipline specific Workplace Examples) is available.

The competency requirements for geoscience experience utilize Work Experience Competencies (Competencies). These competencies are defined as observable and measurable skills, knowledge, abilities, motivations or traits required for professional registration that are demonstrated through the actions and behaviours of the applicant.

For additional information and guidance on the geoscience assessment system, please download the Geoscience Competency Assessment Guide.

Validation and Assessment

An applicant using the Competency Assessment System is required to select one example from his/her work history that best highlights an appropriate exposure level to a specific key competency. These examples will require validation from individuals who have direct, first-hand knowledge of the work conducted (usually a supervisor and/or colleague). Once all examples have been validated, the assessment stage begins and involves assessors from the association reviewing all of the competency examples and validator comments.

All individuals taking part in an application (e.g., the applicant, validators, and assessors) will need to apply a rating to the work experience example that is provided. It is recommended that all parties reference the Competency Rating Scale Summary.

Support

For competency support please contact [email protected].

If you have further questions, you may find the answer on our Frequently Asked Questions.

After Completing Your Self-Assessment

A formal assessment will not be conducted until an application for professional registration is submitted. Once an individual has formally applied for professional registration, and has submitted a competency self-assessment that has been validated, it takes approximately 2–4 months to review your application. Please ensure that you have submitted all of the required documents for your application.

For additional information about checking the status of your application please see Application Status.