INNOVATION January-February 2021

A S S O C I A T I O N

FIVE STEPS FOR FIRMS

INTRODUCING THE REGULATION OF FIRMS The Professional Governance Act introduces the requirement to regulate engineering and geoscience firms in BC. Beginning July 2, 2021, all entities that engage in the practice of professional engineering or professional geoscience in BC, or employ those who practice professional engineering or geoscience , will be required to register for a Permit to Practice. To maintain their permit, firms will be required to create policies and procedures to meet minimum standards in ethics, quality management and continuing education. In February 2021, the Professional Governance Act (PGA) is expected to come into force—legislation which will introduce firm regulation for the first time in BC. Through a multi-year consultation with government and registrants, Engineers and Geoscientists BC developed a regulatory program that ensures legislative requirements can be met without undue administrative burden on firms, while supporting our shared goal of strengthening public safety and protecting the environment. WHO DOES FIRM REGULATION IMPACT? The legislation defines “firms” as corporations, partnerships, government registrants (including ministries and agencies named in regulation under the PGA), sole practitioners, and other legal entities such as municipalities that engage in the practice of professional engineering and/or professional geoscience in BC. Companies that employ registrants who practice professional engineering or geoscience (like a manufacturer) will be required to register. If the primary business activity of a firm does not require the practice of professional engineering or geoscience, then the firm may not need to be registered. There will be an exemption application process for firms that don’t fall within the parameters of the regulatory program. WHAT DO FIRMS NEED TO DO? Although firm regulation is mandatory under the PGA, the regulatory model itself has been defined by Engineers and Geoscientists BC and will centre around three pillars: quality management, continuing education, and ethics. It seeks to improve regulatory oversight, protect the public interest, and provide opportunities for firms to improve processes and reduce risk—and in most cases, it’s about formalizing responsible practices that are already in place. Firms will need to follow a five-step process to fulfill their regulatory obligations.

1. Register for the Permit to Practice: The registration window to apply for a Permit to Practice will open July 2, 2021. Firms will be required to complete their registration before September 30, 2021. 2. Nominate a Responsible Registrant and Responsible Officer. A Responsible Registrant is a professional licensed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC who ensures that the firm’s practice meets ethical, quality management, and continuing education requirements. A Responsible Officer is the executive lead for their firm—a person that has authority to make binding decisions on behalf of the firm. 3. Pay fees: A firm’s annual registration fee is calculated using the following formula: √N x $500, where N is the number of Engineers and Geoscientists BC registrants on staff. Fees for sole practitioners will be $250 per year. A one-time application fee of $350 is also required. Once the registration process is complete, and the associated fees are paid, a Permit to Practice will be issued, granting legal authority to practice professional engineering or geoscience in BC. 4. Attend training: Within 12 months of registration, a representative of the firm must attend a training session online. The application fee includes one training seat. 5. Develop a Professional Practice Management Plan: Within 12 months of registration, firms will be required to have documented policies and procedures in place indicating how they will meet the requirements of the following three pillars outlined in the regulation: 1. Ethics: firms must implement a Code of Conduct addressing how their professional employees will practice in accordance with the professions’ Code of Ethics; 2. Quality management : firms must describe how they will ensure their employees

COMPLIANCE AUDIT Twelve months after receiving a Permit to Practice, registrant firms will be eligible for a compliance audit. Engineers and Geoscientists BC expects to audit all registrant firms by July 2024. An audit will assess the firm’s compliance with the Bylaws, guidelines, practice advisories, and policies of Engineers and Geoscientists BC, as well as compliance with quality management, continuing education, and ethics standards. WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRM REGULATION? More information about firm regulation, including specific obligations and applying for a Permit to Practice, is available at egbc.ca/Firms . A Regulation of Firms Overview webinar on February 17 will outline the requirements and timeline for firms, provide registrant tools and resources, and answer questions about the new program. To learn more or to register, visit egbc.ca/Events .

Provide key information about your rm.

Nominate a Responsible Registrant and Responsible O cer.

Pay your rm’s application fees and receive a Permit to Practice.

Attend a training session within 12 months of registering.

604.684.0727

shk.ca

uphold the quality management requirements in the Bylaws; and

Create and implement a Professional Practice Management Plan within 12 months of registering.

3. Continuing Education : firms must develop procedures for assessing the competency and supporting the continuing education of their professional employees.

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