Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement FAQ

• 1. In what circumstances can I provide geoscience services in British Columbia without a permit?

  You must, at all times when you are providing geoscience services in British Columbia:

  • Be a registrant in good standing of APGO, entitled to practice professional geoscience,
  • Not be subject to conditions or restrictions on your practice or registration in the governing body in any jurisdiction imposed pursuant to or pending a disciplinary proceeding,
  • Not have previously been refused professional registration by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia,
  • Not establish an economic nexus within British Columbia, and
  • Provide geoscience services in BC for a maximum of 45 days in any calendar year.
• 2. Am I bound by British Columbia’s Code of Ethics, Bylaws and Engineers and Geoscientists Act while providing geoscience services in British Columbia?

  You should be familiar with BC’s Code of Ethics and Quality Management Bylaws and Guidelines which set out the acceptable standard of professional practice of geoscience in BC. In addition, please note that the Act and Bylaws require Engineers and Geoscientists BC registrants/licensees to:

  • Notify the client, in writing, whether or not professional liability insurance is held and whether that insurance is applicable to the services in question, and
  • Inform the association of disciplinary action taken against the registrant/licensee by any other geoscience governing body (including international).

  Failure to meet these standards may result in a complaint to APGO.
• 3. What amount of work counts as a "day?"

  “Day” means any calendar day or part of a calendar day in which a geoscientist provides geoscience services.

• 4. Do I have to keep records?

  Yes, you are expected to record and be able to verify the number of days that you have provided geoscience services in BC as Engineers and Geoscientists BC may ask you for this information.

• 5. What is an “economic nexus”?

  In general, an economic nexus is established by actions inconsistent with a temporary basis for providing geoscience services. This includes, but is not limited to, doing any of the following in British Columbia:

  • Providing geoscience services beyond the allowed 45 days,
  • Opening an office from which geoscience services are offered or provided to the public,
  • Becoming a resident, and
  • Holding oneself out as willing or qualified to practise geoscience in British Columbia other than on a temporary basis.
• 6. I am a principal/employee in a consulting firm with offices throughout the country. Would I be establishing an economic nexus in British Columbia simply by practising geoscience out of our British Columbia office?

  No, provided that one or more resident registrants of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia work from that office and provide geoscience services from that office.

• 7. I am a limited member of APGO (P.Geo., Limited/G.P./membre restreint). Can I provide geosciences services in British Columbia under the Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement?

  Yes, anyone who is licensed to practice professional geoscience in Ontario may take advantage of the provisions of this agreement, including limited members and non-resident licensees. Limited members should note that any professional services provided in British Columbia must be within their APGO defined scope of practice.

• 8. Does my company need to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia to offer geoscience services in British Columbia under the Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement?

  Please note that mandatory firm regulation will being in July 2021.
  Engineers and Geoscientists BC is in the process of developing tools and materials to provide guidance to firms and sole practitioners on the new regulatory requirements. In the coming months, we will begin outreach and engagement efforts with firms and sole practitioners that will be required to register, to promote awareness and provide support for a convenient registration process in 2021.

• 9. I am a professional engineer (P.Eng.) registered with PEO, but practise geoscience as a geological or mining engineer. Can I provide geoscience services in British Columbia under the Professional Geoscience Mobility Agreement?

  No, only geoscience practitioners [P.Geo. or P.Geo. (Limited/G.P./membre restreint)] are permitted to provide services under the Mobility Agreement. However, dual licensees (P.Eng./P.Geo.) may provide geoscience services in British Columbia.

• 10. I do work for the Environmental Assessment Office/municipality/etc., but for less than 45 days per year. The EAO/municipality/etc. requires an Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia member to seal documents. Can I seal documents using my APGO stamp under the terms of the agreement?

  No. The Agreement does not supersede any specific legislative requirements for local registration. In the above example, you would be required to register with Engineers and Geoscientists BC in order to stamp documents for the client.

• 11. Whom do I contact for more information on practising geoscience in British Columbia?

  For more information, please contact Rohan Hill, Lawyer, Regulatory Affairs at [email protected] or 604.430.4978.