Unlicensed Practice
To protect the public, we work to ensure only licensed professionals practise engineering and geoscience in Alberta.
The difference between licensed and unlicensed practice can mean the difference between safe and unsafe work, which could endanger Albertans. If someone is practising without a licence, they are not abiding by the rules and regulations that protect the public and keep registrants accountable for their work. With public safety always top of mind, the Unlicensed Practice department receives concerns from many sources, including other licensed professionals, regulators, municipalities, the public, media, and other APEGA departments. “If we find someone is practising geoscience or engineering and isn’t licensed, we work with them to get them to stop practising or get licensed,” says APEGA’s director, conduct and legislation. “If they refuse, we can take legal action to stop them.” Every concern is reviewed through a risk- assessment matrix. If the risk is rated as medium or high we will open a case file, and the review team determines the next steps, which often include conversations with the individual or company. “Their licence may have lapsed, or they may be unaware of Alberta’s licensing requirements. They may not realize their work falls under the definition of engineering or geoscience in Alberta. They may not be practising at all and just embellishing their work on their website. Regardless of the reason, we work with them to correct things.” In situations in which there is ongoing non-compliance, APEGA applies to the courts to obtain an injunction to stop them from practising or using restricted titles, but this only happens in about one per cent of cases. “Most cases are closed by having conversations with people and educating them on Alberta’s licensing and title use requirements to bring them into compliance voluntarily.”
Did you know APEGA maintains a public-facing
registrant and permit holder directory on our website, where anyone can quickly and easily find out if an engineer or geoscientist is licensed and in good standing. Remember: If they aren’t listed, they aren’t licensed.
Use our directory to confirm whether an individual or company is licensed to practise engineering or geoscience in Alberta. Verify before you hire.
In 2025, we launched a campaign to raise public awareness of APEGA’s member and permit holder directory.
22 56
2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker