June 2008 Issue
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE & ETHICS CORNER
APEGGA members with professional practice or ethics questions are welcome to mail them to Ray Chopiuk, P.Eng., Director, Professional Practice, APEGGA, 1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper AVE NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4A2; fax them to 780-426-1877; or e-mail them to rchopiuk@apegga.org.
Q I was wondering about declaring myself non-practicing since I don’t do design work or stamp drawings or other documents. Who can declare themselves non-practicing?
A The concept of “practicing/non-practicing” status came about when the mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program came into effect in 1999. The regulations governing CPD include a provision for members to exempt themselves from complying with the requirements of the program by filing a declaration that they are not actively engaged in the practice of engineering, geology or geophysics. Professional members must submit the non-practicing declaration annually at the time of their membership renewal.
If your work meets the legal definition of engineering, geology or geophysics, or if you have technical influence over the professions, you are considered to be engaged in active practice and cannot be exempted. The practices of engineering, geology and geophysics are defined in Section 1 of the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act.
If you only influence the practice of engineering, geology or geophysics in a broader sense, you could file a non-practicing declaration, but you are encouraged not to (see the answer to the final question).
Q Am I required to declare myself non-practicing if I’m on maternity leave or am not working for some other reason?
A No one is required to declare himself or herself as non-practicing because he or she isn’t engaged in active practice at some particular time. There are ways in which members in either of the above situations can still meet the requirements of the CPD program. Being shown as “practicing” on APEGGA’s member register isn’t meant to indicate that an individual is actually practicing; it means that the individual holds a valid licence and is entitled to practice.
Q Are there any advantages or disadvantages if I declare myself non-practicing?
A There is no advantage to declaring yourself non-practicing other than not having to report any professional development hours under the CPD program. Membership dues are the same for practicing and non-practicing members.
As for the disadvantages, you cannot practice in Alberta while the declaration (exemption) is in effect. You may not act as a Responsible Member for an APEGGA permit to practice. However, you can continue to use your professional designation, since you are still a member and remain bound by the act, its regulations and bylaws, and the APEGGA Code of Ethics.
Q Are there any requirements I would have to meet if I wanted to regain my practicing status at some point in the future?
A There are requirements and, depending on your point of view, those could be perceived as disadvantages to declaring yourself non-practicing.
You can’t decide that you are going to practice again and simply start doing so. In accordance with the regulations, you must obtain the Practice Review Board’s permission before resuming practice. That means you must submit an application to the board, along with a resumé that outlines your experience before you declared yourself non-practicing and your work experience during your non-practicing period. You will be asked for the names of references who can verify that experience and comment on it.
Lack of professional practice experience for several years could mean that the board might only allow you to resume practicing under the condition that you find a professional member who will take responsibility for your work and stamp any documents that require professional authentication. You would not be able to practice independently. That period of restricted practice could be as long as one or two years, depending on the amount and level of prior professional experience. The board requires verification from the “supervising” professional as to the nature and extent of experience.
Members who let their licences (registrations) lapse are considered in a similar fashion when they apply for reinstatement.