INNOVATION November-December 2014

r egu l a t o r y no t e s

Why Now? Mandatory programs are now standard for regulated professions. In BC, most professionals–including architects, doctors, lawyers and accountants–are required to participate in and report their professional development activities. More importantly, the primary duty of a self-regulating body is to ensure the public interest is protected: this is APEGBC’s mandate. One way that the public believes this is demonstrated is through requirements such as man- datory continuing professional development. Since 2008, APEGBC has conducted three surveys to gauge public opinion of both the professions and the regulation of the professions in BC. Each time, the public expressed their expectation that regulators should ensure the professionals they license are competent and safe practitioners. The Proposed Bylaw The proposed bylaw follows the current requirements set out in the CPD Guideline, and applies to members and licensees with practice rights. If ratified by members, the bylaw will come into effect in January 2017. Under this bylaw, members must complete a minimum of 240 professional development hours on a three- year rolling total in at least three of the six eligible categories. This is an average of 80 hours per year, which can include up to 50 professional development hours for professional practice each year. Active professional practice as an engineer or geoscientist or having some effect on how the professions are practiced. Structured educational programs with an evaluation, or seminars offered by industry, employers, associations or technical societies that are at least four hours in length. Self-directed study; attendance at conferences, seminars, educational field trips, trade shows, technical or professional association meetings.

CPD Eligible Categories

Professional Practice

Formal

Informal

Participation

Mentoring, service on public bodies or technical committees.

Presentations

Technical/professional presentations outside your normal job functions.

Contributions to Knowledge

Development of codes and standards; patents; publication of papers, articles, or books; thesis at Masters or PhD level; reviewing/editing articles and papers for publication.

Providing Your Feedback to Council

Bylaw Approval and Consultation Process

When any bylaw is proposed for amend- ment, Council undertakes a consultation process with members. This practice sup- ports stronger member participation and enables Council to enact changes, when ap- propriate, before presenting the final bylaw for voting. Once consultation has been com- pleted, Council will review all the available information to determine next steps. Members are strongly encouraged to inform themselves on the proposed bylaw and provide their thoughts and feedback on this issue. For full information on the bylaw, associated CPD Guidelines and the consultation process, visit: www.apeg. bc.ca/mcpd v

STEP 1 Bylaw

identified for amendment

STEP 5 Member ratification

STEP 2 Council votes to proceed

STEP 4 Revisions and final approval

STEP 3 Feedback loop

Stakeholders members, commitees, others

Council

12

NOV E M B E R /D E C E M B E R 2 014

i n n o v a t i o n