Continuing Professional Development Program

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Improved Public Interest
Improved Regulatory Effectiveness and Efficiency

To better protect the public on a continual basis, it is essential for professionals to engage in lifelong learning.

Background

  • The current Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program is established by Council in the Engineering and Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act General Regulation and is a mandatory program.
  • The program applies to all Professional Members, Licensees, and Professional Licensees.
  • Currently, if a Member does not submit his or her CPD annual report in a timely manner, as required, the Practice Review Board may request a detailed activity record for the previous three years. If the Member fails to produce that record, his or her registration may be cancelled after 30 days’ notice.
  • If a Member does not satisfy the Practice Review Board that he or she is complying with the program requirements, it may conduct a review of the Member’s practice and determine the consequences of non-compliance depending on the specific circumstances involved.
  • Responsible Members are also required to attend a Permit to Practice seminar every five years.

Why is this important?

  • Members must keep their knowledge and skills current to safeguard the public. CPD is a career-long obligation for Professional Members, Licensees, and Professional Licensees.  
  • Members acting as Responsible Members of Permit Holders need to understand their obligations as they relate to the practice of the professions by their Permit Holders.

Proposed legislative change

It is recommended that the legislation be amended to clarify that:

  • As previously addressed in the winter 2016 consultations, the Practice Review Committee (PRC) will have the responsibility to develop, and Council will have the authority to approve, the requirements for the CPD program and supporting practice standards.
  • The obligations for keeping CPD records and how Members meet the requirements of the program will be described in CPD policies.
  • The Registrar will be able to strike a Member from the register for non-compliance with the CPD program.
  • The assessment of whether a Member meets the substantive CPD requirements will be conducted by the PRC through practice reviewers and practice review panels as described in the winter 2016 consultations related to the PRC.
  • Council may impose an administrative assessment fee if a Member does not comply with the CPD program within specified timelines.
  • The requirement for Responsible Members to attend a Permit to Practice seminar every five years will be moved out of the EPG Act General Regulation and into the requirements of the CPD program and supporting practice standard.

Effects of the proposed change

  • The changes leave the authority to establish the CPD program in the General Regulation, but all of the details of the program and expectations of the Members will be contained in practice standards and policies.
  • The Registrar will, as an administrative function, have the explicit authority to strike a Member for not complying with the CPD program requirements within specified timelines.