About Firm Regulation
The Professional Governance Act requires Engineers and Geoscientists BC to regulate firms that engage in the practice of professional engineering or geoscience. All firms are required to register for a Permit to Practice with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
The regulatory program Engineers and Geoscientists BC developed ensures that legislative requirements can be met without undue administrative burden on firms, while supporting our shared goal of strengthening public safety and protecting the environment.
The requirements enhance public protection by introducing established standards of practice for all firms engaging in professional engineering and professional geoscience—standards that are enforced through regular compliance audits.
The regulatory model is based on three pillars: ethics, quality management, and continuing education. 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 ethics, quality management, and continuing education requirements.
Firms become eligible for a compliance audit after 12 months of holding their Permit to Practice, and routine compliance audits will be scheduled based on information and analysis specific to the assessed risk associated with each registrant firm.
Learn more about the Firm Audit Program.
Who Needs a Permit to Practice?
All firms in the private and public sector that engage in the practice of professional engineering or professional geoscience as part of their operations, including firms that only provide these services internally (this includes advice or services provided internally by an Engineers and Geoscientists BC professional registrant to another employee or individual acting on the firm’s behalf) will require a Permit to Practice. For definitions of the practice of professional engineering and professional geoscience, please see the regulation.
Firms regulated include (but are not limited to):
- Consulting firms;
- Natural resources, high tech and other firms engaged in engineering or geoscience work;
- Local government (including municipalities and similar entities);
- Manufacturers (includes fabricators, processing plants, mills, maintenance facilities, or any other firm utilizing engineers and/or geoscientists in any part of their operations);
- Sole practitioners (an individual who practices on their own and is either incorporated or unincorporated); and
- Ministries, Crown Corporations, and agencies named in regulation.
If the business activity of a firm does not require the practice of professional engineering or geoscience, then the firm may not need to be registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
Permit to Practice Applicability Review
If you are unsure whether your firm requires a Permit to Practice, please complete the Permit to Practice Applicability Review Form, and submit the form to [email protected].
Resources
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 FAQs.
History of Firm Regulation
Since 2015, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been developing a model for the Regulation of Firms, led by an Advisory Task Force on Corporate Practice.
Following extensive consultation with registrants and stakeholders, the Task Force developed a regulatory model that improves regulatory oversight, protects the public interest, and provides opportunities for firms to improve their processes and reduce their risk. This model was approved by Council in June 2019.
The consultation summaries and recommendation reports are available for review below.
Phase 1:
Consultation Summary Report
Recommendations Report
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
Consultation Summary Report
Recommendations Report