To apply for a Limited License...

... you must mail or fax the following to APEGBC:

• completed application form
• application fee
• completed guide to determining a limitation restricting the scope of professional practice
• scope of practice
• list of projects
• project report
• certified copy of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status
• work experience details
• essay
• practice declaration form
• certified copy of your ASTTBC Membership Card (if applicable)

... you must arrange for the following to be sent directly to APEGBC:

• transcripts
• references

After your application has been reviewed, APEGBC will ask you to:

• apply to write the Professional Practice Examination
• attend the Law & Ethics Seminar or purchase and view the CD-Rom Set

Background information:

• academic qualifications
• experience qualifications
• description of good character

Application Form

Download an application form.

When you sign the application form, you will also be signing a declaration that you have reviewed the Engineers & Geoscientists Act.

Application Fee

Please check the FEE SCHEDULE for the most current fees.

Completed Guide to Determining a Limitation Restricting the Scope of Professional Practice

It is very important to describe a scope of work that defines the area of engineering or geoscience that you practice in, but that is not so broad as to be unacceptable for a Limited Licence.  Please refer to the Guide to Determining a Limitation Restricting the Scope of Professional Practice.

Scope of Practice

This must describe the scope of the Limited Licence that you are applying for. Please limit it to one page. The scopes of our existing Licensees can be found on our website in the "Membership Directory & Rosters" section, and may be used as examples of acceptable scopes.

List of Projects

Provide four copies of a List of Projects on which you have worked.

Project Report

Provide four copies of a Project Report you wrote which demonstrates the scope of practice in which you wish to be licenced.  This may be one of your existing reports or you may wish to create a report of your previous work.

Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident Status

You need to provide a certified copy of your Canadian Citizenship (citizenship card, birth certificate or current Canadian passport) or Permanent Resident Status.

To have a copy certified make a photocopy of your document and have it signed and stamped by a P.Eng., P.Geo., or Notary Public as a "true copy of the original". Alternatively, you may bring your original document to the APEGBC office and we can make a certified copy for you at no cost.

Please do not send your original citizenship card, birth certificate, current Canadian Passport or Permanent Resident Status Card to APEGBC.

Work Experience Details

This is a summary of your engineering or geoscience work experience.  Typically at least 10 pages that describes your engineering or geoscience tasks and responsibilities are required.  It should be in chronological order and give sufficient information to provide APEGBC with a good idea of the type of experience you have gained.  Any gaps or overlaps in time periods should be explained.  APEGBC will be looking for evidence of a progression of experience and responsibility throughout your career.

Publications and any additional training that you have received, such as courses or seminars, should be listed on a separate page. 

You should refer to the Satisfactory Engineering Experience Guidelines  or the Satisfactory Geoscience Experience Guidelines for a description of the types of experience which will be considered.

The document should be single-spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins.

Essay

The purpose of this 'essay' is to provide the interview panel with an outline your perceptions of a Licensee's responsibility as well as to encourage you to reflect upon what you are about to undertake.

With your application, include a short description (about 500 words) discussing your understanding of the role in the Association of an Engineering Licensee or Geoscience Licensee with a Limited Licence.

It is suggested that you discuss your understanding of the significant ramifications that the independent practice of a scope of professional engineering or geoscience brings about. Importantly, consider the protection of the public interest and what that that implies; the additional liability that full responsibility incurs; the consequences of breaching the Code of Ethics, both to yourself and the profession; the implications of practicing outside your defined scope and the care and judgment that you must take to work only within your scope; as well as any other topic(s) that you consider to be pertinent to the discussion.

Demographic Information Form

You must submit a completed Practice Declaration Form.

Transcripts

A transcript is a document that lists all of the courses that you took and the grades that you received at your university/college/or other academic institute.  A transcript also usually states the name of your degree or diploma ant the date on which it was granted.

You must ask your academic institute to send your transcripts directly to APEGBC.   If your academic institute is not able to send us your transcripts you must write a letter to APEGBC explaining your situation.   The letter should state how you have tried to get the transcripts and request that certified copies of the original transcripts already in your possession be accepted.  Academic institutes can almost always send us your transcript.

References

On the application form you will be asked to nominate a minimum of four referees who can verify that the scope that you have described on the reference form is appropriate.  Three of the referees must be Professional Engineers or Geoscientists and at least one of them must be registered in British Columbia.  Two of the references must be from supervisors.  Credit may not be given for experience that cannot be validated by references and you may be asked to provide additional referees.

You are responsible for sending a blank reference form and a copy of your work experience details to each of your referees.   The referee must then send the completed reference form directly to APEGBC by mail or fax.

Canadian experience must be verified by a minimum of two Canadian P.Eng. or P.Geo. referees.  International experience must be verified by international referees and these should be either Professional Engineers/Geoscientists or the local equivalent.

Download a reference form.

Professional Practice Examination (PPE)

Before being granted a Limited Licence you must successfully complete the Professional Practice Exam.

Law & Ethics Requirement

Before being granted a Limited Licence you must complete the Law & Ethics Seminar Requirement.

Certified copy of your ASTTBC Membership Card (if applicable)

A certified copy of your current Certificate of Registration or Membership Card with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC), and certified copies of other memberships relevent to your application should be sent to APEGBC.

To have a copy certified make a photocopy of your document and have it signed and stamped by a P.Eng., P.Geo. or Notary Public as a "true copy of the original". Alternatively, you may bring your original document to the APEGBC office and we can make a certified copy for you at no cost.

Academic Qualifications

In order to qualify for a Limited Licence you need a science degree, or registration as an applied science technologist with a degree or diploma in engineering/geoscience technology or other qualifications acceptable to APEGBC.

Experience Qualifications

Every applicant for Limited Licence must have a minimum of eight years of engineering or geoscience work experience.  The eight years may include up to four years spent in obtaining the post-secondary training required for academic qualification.   One of those years of experience must be gained in Canada and you must have at least two years of experience in your requested scope of work that have been supervised by a licensed Professional Engineer.

Acceptable work experience must include the application of theory and should provide exposure to, or experience in the following broad area: practical experience, management, communication, and the social implications of engineering or geoscience.

Please refer to the Satisfactory Engineering Experience Guidelines or the Satisfactory Geoscience Experience Guidelines for more details.

For more details regarding what a Limited Licence is, what you need to do to obtain one, and how to provide all of the required documents, please refer to the Limited Licence Application Guide.

Description of Good Character

In order to become a licencee with APEGBC you must be of good character and reputation. Good character connotes moral and ethical strength and includes integrity, candor, honesty and trustworthiness. All APEGBC members and licensees are held accountable to the Code of Ethics that governs the way an individual practices their profession.  APEGBC will review the information provided in your application to ensure that you meet these standards.

Official marks of APEGBC

*APEGBC has adopted and uses Engineering Licensee, Eng.L., Geoscience Licensee and Geo.L. as official marks in conjunction with governing the practice of engineering and geoscience in British Columbia, all in accordance with its mandate to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

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