Professional Engineering and Geoscience Practice in BC Online Seminar FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the Professional Engineering and Geoscience Practice in BC Online Seminar.
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1. Why is the Professional Engineering and Geoscience Practice in BC Online Seminar mandatory? Isn't passing the Professional Practice Examination proof that I know the subject matter?
Passing the professional practice examination proves that you have reviewed the study material and can answer questions on it. The study material for the Professional Practice Examinations gives a general overview of engineering and geoscience law and ethics as they apply to engineering and geoscience practice in Canada. The online seminar provides the opportunity to explore, with experts in the field, current issues of concern to registrants in the profession, as well as to gain insight into legislation that affects all practising registrants.
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2. I have already completed a previous version of the online seminar prior to the current version being released on June 1, 2021. Will I need to retake the current version?
Applicants and trainees who have completed the previous version of the online seminar (Version 1) prior to July 26, 2021 when Version 2 is released should take note of the following transition provisions that have been approved by the Board:
- Version 1 of the seminar will be accepted as meeting the seminar requirement for registration as a professional registrant until July 1, 2022. Applicants and trainees will be offered free access to Version 2 of the seminar for voluntary viewing. Applicants and trainees who are not granted registration as a professional registrant before July 1, 2022, will be required to complete Version 2 of the online seminar at no cost prior to registration being granted.
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3. I have already taken/taught law and/or ethics courses. Can I be exempted from this program?
There will be no exemptions granted to applicants for registration, except to those registrants who are transferring their licence from another Canadian jurisdiction under the Inter Association Mobility Agreement and who have already passed the Professional Practice Examination in that jurisdiction, or been a registrant of another association for more than 5 years.
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4. I have already attended a law and ethics program offered by another provincial/territorial engineering/geoscience association/ordre. Can I be exempted from taking the program?
Applicants who have taken another association/ordre's seminar will normally have completed their professional practice examination.
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5. I work in the high technology (or other) sector (i.e., I don't work in one of the 'traditional' disciplines of engineering or geoscience). Will the seminar be of use to me in my practice?
The legal and ethical issues addressed affect all practising registrants. While some of the examples used may be from the more traditional fields in engineering and geoscience, the content of the online seminar applies to all fields in the two professions. Opportunity is given to program attendees to explore application to their own areas of practice.
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6. If I take the online seminar, do I need to study for the Professional Practice Examination?
The seminar is not an examination preparation session and is independent of the examination. Examination candidates need to review and understand the study materials recommended in order to pass the Professional Practice Examination.
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7. Why do only new applicants have to do the online seminar, given its potential value to practising engineers and geoscientists?
Registered registrants can attend the online seminar on a voluntary basis. Continuing Education (CE) hours are awarded to all those attending the seminar.
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8. How long should the online seminar take to complete?
The amount of time it takes to complete the online seminar will vary with each person given their learning style, but it is estimated that it should take approximately nine (9) hours to complete.
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9. Where can I find the online seminar on my registrant account once I have purchased it?
Once you have logged into your account on the Engineers and Geoscientists BC website, navigate to “Registrant Programs”, “Account,” then “My Courses & Videos”. All online courses and videos purchased will be located here.
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10. Do I have to manually upload my Continuing Education (CE) hours for this course?
No, your 9 Continuing Education (CE) hours will be uploaded automatically following successful completion of the course.
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11. Once I have completed the online seminar, will I still have access to it through my online account?
Yes, you will have access to the online seminar following its completion.
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12. Is the online seminar compatible with my browser and electronic device?
Yes, the seminar is compatible with: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome (mobile and desktop), Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 11, Safari (mobile and Mac), IE Edge, Opera, Vivaldi. The online seminar is intended to be available on any device such as desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile.
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13. What if I do not see pop-ups for activities or the videos are not playing?
- Make sure Javascript is enabled on the browser that is being used.
- Enable cookies.
- Make sure anti-virus programs are not preventing videos from running.
If people are completing this course on a work computer, some videos may be unable to be viewed due to departmental/IT programming. Solution: check if the cause is anti-virus software and either allow permissions personally or consult your office IT department; if not, try another device not linked to an office network. If further problems persist, please contact us.
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14. How much does the online seminar cost?
The online seminar cost is $275.00 + GST = $288.75.
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15. How long do I have to complete the online seminar requirement?
You may complete the online seminar at anytime. In order to successfully complete the seminar, you are required to score 100% in all 11 module knowledge checks.
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16. Who do I contact if I am still having issues?
If you are having technical issues with the online seminar, please contact [email protected].
For any other issues relating to the online seminar, please contact [email protected].