Innovation Fall 2026

REGULATORY NEWS

Registrant and firm fees set to increase in 2027

At its May 27 meeting, the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Board approved the organization’s 2026-2027 (FY2027) budget, which includes fee increases across several categories. These changes allow the organization to provide the required oversight to protect the public, address increased pressure on regulatory programs, and improve service levels to support registrants. Registrants will see a $20 increase and trainees will see a $10 increase for annual registration fees, both effective January 1, 2027. This will bring registration fees to $555 for practising registrants and $296 for EITs and GITs. Firms will see a 20 percent increase take effect for the 2027-2028 renewal cycle (beginning in April 2027) – the first fee increase since the introduction of this requirement in 2021. Fees for sole practitioners will remain unchanged at $250. “While we understand the impact fee increases have on registrants, this funding is critical for Engineers and Geoscientists BC to continue delivering its regulatory mandate and to meet external demands,” said Engineers and Geoscientists BC CEO Heidi Yang, P.Eng. “This budget positions the organization to reduce processing times for applicants and improve service delivery for registrants and the public, all while remaining in a fiscally strong position.” Regulatory costs The introduction of the Professional Governance Ac t ( PGA ) in 2021 required Engineers and Geoscientists BC to take on additional regulatory responsibilities, including regulating firms and enhancing audits, practice reviews, and continuing education programs. Over time, demand on these and other key regulatory programs has also increased – especially complaint processing and investigation, application reviews, and exam administration. Total applications for registration climbed from roughly 5,000 in 2020-2021 to more than 7,000 in 2024-2025, alongside significant increases to complaints and enforcement files.

2027 FEE CHANGES

Fee

Current

New

$555

Practising registrants

$535

$296

Trainees

$286

$139

Non-practising registrants

$134

(based on formula)

+20%

Firms

Firms: sole practioner (unchanged)

$250

$250

The number of enforcement files opened for unauthorized practice and misuse of title has grown fourfold from just over 100 cases to more than 400 between 2020 and 2025, while the number of investigations initiated annually grew from 62 to 119 in the same period. Along with the fee increases, Engineers and Geoscientists BC is taking on a budgeted deficit of $370,000, which will be filled from surpluses from prior years and the organization’s general operating fund. The Board also considered budget options that had no fee increases (leading to a deficit of nearly $2 million) and a $25 fee increase for professional registrants For the first time since 2019, applicant fees and fees for transferring registration from another jurisdiction increased, by $50 to $300, effective July 1, 2026. In addition, for applicants who need to take the Professional Practice Online Seminar (PPOS) and Professional Practice Exam (PPE) fees increased by $50 and $7, respectively, also on July 1. (leading to a deficit of $283,000). Applicant fee increases

Current fees: individuals

Current fees: firms

Innovation Fall 2026

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