Innovation Summer 2024

Using protected titles in BC indicates a registrant has acquired the requisite skills and qualifications to work in the professions. Photo: Wendy D Photography

COMMUNITY

Understanding unauthorized practice and misuse of title that is reserved exclusively for a registrant, it is commonly referred to as misuse of title. With respect to engineering and use of a title is allowed. For example, some people mistakenly assume that if they have an engineering degree,

Taking action against unauthorized practice and misuse of title is a critical public protection measure for regulators across Canada. Many professions – including engineering, geoscience, the various health professions, and the legal profession – are governed by legislation that prevents unlicensed individuals from engaging in certain Engineers and Geoscientists BC is responsible for enforcing prohibitions in the Professional Governance Act ( PGA ) against unauthorized practice and misuse of title. This important responsibility, which the organization also held for decades under the former Engineers and Geoscientists Act , helps keep the public safe from potential harm by guarding against misrepresentation and work being done by unlicensed individuals. Misuse of title Various pieces of legislation across the country reserve titles and language for exclusive use by registrants of specific regulatory bodies. When an unlicensed individual uses a title or language work, and from representing themselves in certain ways.

they can use the title “engineer.” However, individuals who use the title “engineer” while working in an applied science-related role, imply to clients and members of the public that they’re licensed to practice engineering, and that they’ve met all of the associated experience and competency requirements to be licensed. Unlicensed individuals with backgrounds in engineering or geoscience can refer to their educational background by indicating: John Doe, BASc Mechanical Engineering or Jane Doe, BSc Geology. They can also use titles that do not imply registration with Engineers and Geoscientist BC. If unlicensed individuals misrepresent themselves as registrants or as being authorized to practice engineering or geoscience, it impairs the public’s ability to trust that they are hiring someone with the right qualifications, knowledge, and experience for the

geoscience in BC, the PGA restricts unlicensed individuals from using certain expressly reserved titles such as professional engineer or geoscientist-in-training, as well as their abbreviations, P.Eng. and GIT. However, the PGA also restricts the use of other names, titles, descriptions, or abbreviations in any manner that expresses or implies that a person is registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, associated with the organization, or authorized to practice engineering or geoscience in BC. For example, a non-registrant in BC is prohibited from using the title “P.Eng.” but also prohibited from advertising that they are “a great engineer who is capable and happy to take on the structural engineering work for your next project.” The PGA prohibition can occasionally lead to misconceptions about when

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Summer 2024

Innovation