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The Professional Governance Act requires Engineers and Geoscientists BC to regulate firms that engage in the practice of professional engineering or geoscience. Effective July 2, 2021, firms are required to register for a Permit to Practice with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC has worked actively, through consultation with government and registrants, to develop a regulatory program that ensures legislative requirements can be met without undue administrative burden on firms, while supporting our shared goal of strengthening public safety and protecting the environment.
These new requirements bring Engineers and Geoscientists BC in line with other regulatory bodies across Canada that uphold responsibilities and requirements for engineering and geoscience firms. It enhances public protection by introducing established standards of practice for all firms engaging in professional engineering and geoscience—standards that are enforced through regular audits to ensure compliance.
The regulatory model is based on three pillars: quality management, continuing education, and ethics. Within 12 months of registering, firms will be required to have a Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP) in place documenting policies and procedures that indicate how they meet the quality management, ethics, and continuing education requirements.
Firms become eligible for a mandatory compliance audit after 12 months of holding their Permit to Practice, and subsequently every 3–5 years following the date of their first compliance audit.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC has developed tools and materials to provide guidance to firms and sole practitioners on the new regulatory requirements. For more information and resources, visit the Firm Practice page.