January 2012

Limited Licensure   

The following is a draft PEGNL limited licensure framework. It provides for the possible limited licensure of  those who are not currently Engineers and Geoscientists, but who have qualifications that may permit them to take personal engineering or geoscience reponsibility for their work on a limited license basis. Typical of those may be experiecned technologists. With the May 2011 approval of the Engineers and Geoscientists Regulations (2011), PEGNL initially focused on making changes to fully adapt to the Regulations as they impact our existing membership and practices.

Further, since that time PEGNL has been investigating the nature of such limited licensure across Canada and has formulated a framework in which it will develop its registration requirements for limited licensure. The attached is an outline of the framework that encompasses elements of the Engineers and Geoscientists Regulations (2011) and components that have been implemented in other engineering and geoscience professional organizations across the country. With the implementation of the Agreement on Internal Trade, PEGNL is anxious to implement this limited license framework to enable it to respond appropriately to inquiries from limited license holders from other provinces with respect to such transfers.

PEGNL expects to implement registration guidelines that will enable applications for limited licensure in early 2012.

PEGNL has also asked the Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists of Newfoundland & Labrador (AETTNL) for its input to these matters as a number of its members may be interested in availing of this licensure.

In addition, AETTNL has indicated its intent to seek provincial legislation with respect to technicians and technologists. PEGNL inquired as to whether AETTNL was seeking both right to title and independent right to professional practice legislation for its members. AETTNL has decided to seek independent right to professional practice legislation within a proposed AETTNL Act. PEGNL has respectfully requested that AETTNL reconsider this matter in light of both the provisions of the recent government legislation (The Engineers and Geoscientists Regulations 2011) and the significant difficulties in regulating the practices of engineering and geoscience through two separate acts. As noted, the existing PEGNL legislation includes independent right to professional practice for qualified technologists. PEGNL therefore feels that independent right to professional practice legislation through an AETTNL Act would not be in the public interest.

PEGNL will be working with both government and AETTNL further regarding these matters. PEGNL expects to have the limited licensure framework in place in early 2012.

Draft Limited Licensure Framework

Limited Licence: is a licence intended to recognize and formalize that certain individuals who do not qualify for registration as Professional Engineers or Geoscientists, can be permitted to carry out certain specified and limited functions, normally within the definition of the practices of professional engineering or geoscience and to do so independently and without the supervision of a Professional Engineer or Geoscientist. 

Academic Requirements for Licensure

·  From an approved educational program, a diploma in engineering or geoscience technology, a science degree, a bachelor of technology, or acceptable equivalent. 

Experience Requirements for Licensure

• A minimum of 8 years of work experience is required: 1year of which may include experience gained following completion of at least one-half of the academic program; at least 4 years of which must be within the defined scope of practice of the limited license being requested; and at least 1 year of which must have been obtained in Canada, or in an equivalent-to-Canadian work environment, within the defined scope of practice of the limited license being requested. All approved experience must have been performed under the direction of a Professional Engineer or Professional Geoscientist.

Other Requirements for Licensure

·  Good character requirements (including references)

·   English or French, where applicable

·   Professional Practice Examination

·  Panel interview and job-site interview to be conducted, if required

· List of projects and sample project report to be submitted, if required

Scope of Practice

· Scope of Practice is unique to the applicant

·  A new application is required to revise the Scope of Practice.

·  Guide to determining scope of practice should be developed.

Responsibilities, Authority and Professional Practice

• Full membership in the association with the ability to vote, serve on the Board of Directors, etc.

• Practice rights and responsibilities equivalent to those holding a P.Eng. or P. Geo. licence, restricted to the defined scope of practice.

• Right to use titles Eng. L. And Geo. L., but not P.Eng. or P. Geo., nor the right to use titles engineer or geoscientist.

• Additional requirements to provide services directly to the public, such as the need for a Permit to Practice and professional practice liability insurance. This permission would be limited to the defined scope of practice.

• Fees should be the same as those for P.Eng. and P. Geo.

• Limited License holders are subject to the same Practice Reviews as Professional Engineers and Geoscientists

• Limited License holder must meet Continuing Professional Development program requirements as Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.

© Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador