ASTTBC Reserved Practice

The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills has confirmed its intention to develop a reserved practice for applied science technology for registrants of the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC). This means that technologists and technicians would be required to register with ASTTBC if they are engaged in work that falls within the new reserved practice of applied science technology. Currently, technologists and technicians can choose whether to register with ASTTBC.

A joint statement signed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC, ASTTBC, and the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) was published on May 8, 2024 and outlines the progress made on this issue, as well as next steps. The statement includes confirmation that no changes would be proposed to the reserved practice of professional engineers and licensees.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC fully supports the creation of a reserved practice for ASTTBC registrants and is working in collaboration with ASTTBC and the OSPG to determine the exact scope. As this work progresses, we are committed to ensuring that any proposed reserved practice is specific enough to delineate the boundaries between each profession, and can be easily understood by the public and others, including registrants of each regulatory body and Authorities Having Jurisdiction.

The Ministry intends to bring a proposal for reserved practice forward for decision in the near future, depending on proposal readiness and availability of government decision makers.

We will keep registrants up to date as this issue progresses, including sharing information on any opportunities to provide input through consultation processes.

If you have relevant experience related to how engineers and technologists work together that would inform how the area of reserved practice could be defined, please email [email protected].