september 2009 issue

Home > Members > Publications > The PEGG > September 2009

Compliance
How About Those M.I.T.s?

BY MICHAEL NETH, P.ENG.
Assistant Director, Compliance

Each summer, the Alberta workforce is flooded with new members-in-training. These eager and dedicated engineering, geology and geophysics graduates are collecting paycheques for first time as members of APEGGA.

They have many — but not all — of the same rights and responsibilities of membership that their professional colleagues do.

Which begs a lot of questions. During the summer months, APEGGA sees a corresponding increase in enquiries from M.I.T.s, employers and the public regarding the rules of business and job titles for M.I.T.s.

We’ve got some answers for you. The following covers the common questions by clarifying the requirements of the Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act and APEGGA policies.

If what we tell you here still leaves you scratching your head, please get back to us with your questions or comments. We always welcome your feedback. 

Who can call themselves an E.I.T., Geol.I.T. or Geoph.I.T.?

The titles engineer-in-training, geologist-in-training and geophysicist-in-training are reserved for a select group of APEGGA members who are designated members-in-training by the Association. Unless an individual has received a letter of confirmation from APEGGA that identifies him or her as an M.I.T., he or she should not use these titles.

M.I.T.s registered in our sister Canadian professional associations cannot use these titles in Alberta.

Can an M.I.T. use the words engineer, geologist or geophysicist in a job title?

Yes. APEGGA policy does allow M.I.T.s to hold job titles that include these words. However, business cards and other listings must make it clear that they are still in training and therefore not yet professional members.

Sample job titles that would not be considered violations of the EGGP Act are

• John Jones, E.I.T., Project Engineer

• Jane Smith, Geol.T., Field Geologist

• Jim Johnson, Geoph.I.T., Junior Geophysicist.

Members-in-training are not entitled to use the designations P.Eng., P.Geol. or P.Geoph. until they have been accepted as professional members of APEGGA.

Can an M.I.T. incorporate a business for the purpose of offering engineering, geological or geophysical services?

Any business that offers engineering, geological or geophysical services or products must hold a valid permit to practice. To qualify for a permit, the business must employ a professional member of APEGGA who can supervise the day-to-day activities of the firm.

Businesses that do not have a permit to practice are also restricted from presenting themselves as if they could offer engineering, geology or geophysical services — even if their core business activities are not technical in nature.  

What if an M.I.T. has to incorporate as a condition of contract employment? 

In very specific circumstances M.I.T.s who find themselves in this situation will not be required to obtain a permit. The employer must be qualified to take full responsibility for the M.I.T.’s work, the work undertaken by the M.I.T. through the corporation must be supervised by a professional member of APEGGA, and the corporation name may not include the words engineering, geology or geophysics or their derivatives.

Report a Violation
If you are aware of practice or title violations and you are able to provide evidence (reports, letters, business cards, websites, etc.), we encourage you to contact Frank Perich, P.Eng., Director, Compliance, at fperich@apegga.org.

Because the Compliance Department deals with non-members, we do not reveal
the source of complaints when you make contact.