Innovation Fall 2026

Engineers and Geoscientists BC's Accredited Employer Program (AEP) is a partnership initiative that streamlines the registration process for engineering and geoscience professionals. The program benefits organizations and registrants by supporting career development, maintaining high standards of practice, and shortening the wait time between validation and full licensing. In some cases, the wait period can be reduced to 30 days from up to 187 days. Currently, 34 engineering firms are enrolled in the AEP, and two of those also participate in the geoscience program. Firms participating in the program designate volunteer assessors to evaluate their trainees’ experience under Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s competency based assessment requirements. Garry Stevenson, P.Eng., a geotechnical engineer and volunteer assessor for Klohn Crippen Berger (KCB), says that, beyond experience requirements, he focuses on ensuring applicants have a good range of work within their discipline, possibly some small management responsibilities and experience working on proposals. Stevenson noted one advantage for companies participating in the AEP is that if the reviewers are with the company they have an opportunity to check that all those applying have the requisite background to become professional registrants. This helps build a steady stream of new applicants to grow within the organization. Throughout the process, Engineers and Geoscientists BC supports companies and assessors, helping ensure that the training programs firms establish enable trainees to meet requirements. For trainees, the AEP ensures they have the support and experience needed to become professional registrants. Stevenson said the work he does as an assessor is gratifying. “It is rewarding to see that young folks within the company are making these advancements,” he said. “That's good to see and I think it's an important part of the AEP.” AEP assessors ensure applicants are trained for registration

cutting corners

on my own,” she says, adding that the program also embeds registrants within cohorts of peers working toward the same goal, another feature Fogg says helped with the process. Cutting timelines without cutting corners While the AEP isn’t designed as a shortcut, it can significantly reduce delays that often occur in traditional application pathways, particularly once applicants are ready to submit their applications. Hutter notes his professional licensure application took a matter of weeks, not months. “It was pretty great to not have to wait quite so long,” he says. Fogg saw a similar acceleration in her own experience. “I got through in a couple of months," Fogg says. "I’ve heard other people waiting over a year.”

Innovation Fall 2026

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