Permit to Practice: Understanding the New Framework
What is the New Framework
On February 5, 2021, the Professional Governance Act (PGA) came into force and replaced the Engineers and Geoscientists Act. It establishes a framework for professional regulators including Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) and the regulators for forestry, agrology, biology, and applied science.
Under the new framework, firms that engage in the practice of professional engineering and/or professional geoscience in BC are required to register for an EGBC Permit to Practice.
Keystone Environmental Ltd. received its EGBC Permit to Practice in October 2021. We have multiple Responsible Registrants to oversee our areas of practice. Our internal Permit to Practice team prepared a Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP) to document our policies and procedures to meet the EGBC quality management, ethics, and continuing education requirements. The Keystone Environmental PPMP also contains our Code of Conduct, organizational structure, and areas of practice.
What Does this Mean for Our Clients?
This new framework is designed to ensure Keystone Environmental Ltd. meets our responsibility to serve and protect the public interest with respect to the engineering and geoscience professions.
Clients of Keystone Environmental Ltd. will see our EGBC Permit to Practice number attached to all final reports stamped by a professional engineer and/or professional geoscientist. Our clients can have confidence knowing that we are:
- protecting public interest and the environment;
- supporting our employees in fulfilling their personal obligations related to ethics, quality management, and continuing education;
- fostering high standards of quality in professional practice;
- continually improving our service and deliverables to clients;
- improving risk management practices; and
- identifying efficiencies in business practice.
As other professional regulators determine their framework in relation to the PGA, Keystone Environmental Ltd. will continue to combine these requirements into our policies and procedures.
To learn more about this Permit to Practice framework, visit the EGBC website or speak to a Keystone Environmental team member.
Sources and Related Links: Engineers & Geoscientists BC, Permit to Practice