SPECIAL BALLOT ANNOUNCED

February 27, 2007

ASET and APEGGA have kept members informed and used their input for guidance throughout the development of the one Act, two Associations regulatory model.

Now, this new model is in members’ hands. It’s time for you to tell us whether you want the model to proceed.

ASET Council and APEGGA Council have each decided to conduct special ballots on the regulatory model. For APEGGA members, this ballot will be included in the ballot package for the annual mail-in election of Council.

This is your chance to vote in favour of or against the regulatory model described in the Memorandum of Understanding. Please, watch your mailbox for the ballot package and exercise your right. No APEGGA ballots received by the Executive Director after April 8, 2007, will be considered. 

PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT attempt to vote electronically. This is a mail-in ballot. The package you receive will contain a pre-addressed envelope.

ASET and APEGGA are using exactly the same ballot question. The question below will appear in the package that is mailed to you. It appears for information purposes only.

Special Ballot

ASET and APEGGA have been discussing a one Act, two Associations regulatory model to regulate engineers, geologists, geophysicists and technologists in Alberta. The principles of this new regulatory model are described in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated December 18, 2006 which can be found at www.apegga.org/ASET/ASET-APEGGA-MOU.pdf and in the February 2007 issue of The PEGG. The MOU was unanimously endorsed by the APEGGA Council and the ASET Council on January 25, 2007.

Should The Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act be amended to create a one Act, two Associations regulatory model, as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed by ASET and APEGGA on December 18, 2006? 

Results of the special ballot will be announced on the website, in an e-PEGG and in The PEGG.

The Memorandum of Understanding followed a series of Discussion Team meetings, plus communiqués and FAQ lists to members to explain the proposal and seek their input. A Joint Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 6 – linking 10 sites across the province – drew questions from members of ASET and APEGGA at the sites and via the Internet.

Scroll down for the most recent FAQ on the proposal.

ASET/APEGGA Frequently Asked Questions #2

The following FAQs have been distilled from member feedback received during the Joint Town Hall Meeting held February 6, 2007 and from ongoing comments and questions received by ASET and APEGGA. Please note that not all questions can be answered at this point. For example, specific details about the requirements for registration/certification, further information about the common code of ethics and composition of joint boards, will be available once the memberships have approved amendments to The Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act to create a new one Act, two Associations regulatory model and the next level of planning is underway.

Note that for reasons of brevity the answers below reference only engineering technologists. However, the principles apply equally to geoscience technologists.

1. What will be the difference between an R.P.T. (Professional Licensee) and a P.Tech.?

Both R.P.T.s (Professional Licensees) and P.Tech.s (Professional Technologists) would practice within a specified scope, customized to their individual combination of training and relevant experience. The practice of P.Tech.s would be restricted to the routine application of industry recognized codes and standards, while R.P.T.s have the additional experience and demonstrated capability to handle non-routine circumstances which require more seasoned judgement.

2. Will existing technologists in agrology, forestry, chemistry, bio-science or architecture for example, be able to become P.Tech.s?

No – this one Act, two Associations model is proposed for the regulation of engineering and geoscience activities in Alberta.

3. Will people with degrees in geography, physics, chemistry, biology or agrology be able to become an R.P.T. (Professional Licensee)?

No. There will be no changes to the current admission criteria for R.P.T.s.

4. Who will decide what work is “the routine application of industry recognized codes and standards” in each work setting?

A joint ASET/APEGGA Registration Board will develop policies, procedures and precedents for establishing individual specified scopes plus appropriate codes and standards for P.Tech.s.

5. Will the additional requirements for R.E.T. status be taken into account if R.E.T.s apply to become P.Tech.s? 

Yes, work experience will be taken into account.

6. Will there be a stamp for P.Tech.s, as there is for P.Eng.s and R.P.T.s?

Yes. A stamp is a readily recognized symbol so clients and the public know that a professional of certified competence and ethical standards has completed the work.

7. Will P.Tech.s be able to take responsibility for the work of others?

Within their specified scope of practice, P.Tech.s will be able to supervise and take professional responsibility for the work of others, such as continuing R.E.T.s, C.E.T.s or non-certified technicians and technologists.

8. Will P.Tech.s be able to supervise P.Eng.s?

Management supervision is often provided by various individuals. A P.Tech. would be able to supervise the practice of a P.Eng., within the P.Tech.’s scope of practice. However, it is unlikely that a P.Eng. will need supervision for the application of routine codes and standards.

9. Is the work that P.Tech.s will do considered “engineering”?

Yes. The routine application of industry recognized codes and standards falls within the practice of engineering, as defined in The Engineering, Geology and Geophysical Professions Act.

10. Will P.Tech.s be able to advertise their services?

Yes, in accordance with standards developed by the ASET/APEGGA Joint Practice Standards Board.

11. Will P.Tech.s require a Permit to Practice?

P.Tech.s would apply to ASET to receive a Permit to Practice when practicing as a corporation.

12. Do existing R.P.T.s have to make a membership choice between ASET and APEGGA to continue to independently practice engineering? Will R.P.T.s have to reapply or be re-examined? May R.P.T.s become P.Tech.s?

R.P.T.s are currently members of both APEGGA and ASET, but in future will be required to be members only of APEGGA. They will not need to re-apply as the name of their designation changes to Professional Licensee. They may choose to, but will be not required to, retain their R.E.T. designation and pay ASET membership fees. Alternately, they may choose to apply for a P.Tech. designation as a way of continuing their membership in ASET.

13. Is introduction of the P.Tech. designation diluting the engineering profession?

Quite the contrary, it is enhancing the profession. The practice of engineering – and of geoscience – has evolved to complex, multifaceted activities carried out by teams. It is appropriate that different types of practitioner be recognized and enabled to contribute to the level of their qualifications and be responsible for their work. As ASET and APEGGA work cooperatively, the respective roles of engineers and technologists will become better defined (for instance, through the development of joint practice standards) for the benefit of employers, clients and the public. All designations will develop “brand recognition” and all will be respected.