By Andrea Waldie, P.Geo
Executive Director & Registrar, APGO

Most of you who will be reading this article are already members of the APGO. Perhaps this article will be of assistance to you during discussions with those who are not yet registered and yet need to be. It is a legal requirement to be a registered member of the APGO to practise professional geoscience in Ontario. In fact, all the provinces and territories (except PEI and the Yukon) have a licensure requirement for the practice of geoscience. However, over the last several years some misconceptions, miscommunications and misunderstandings have emerged with regards to professional geoscience licensure and now swirl around as general “knowledge”; breeding further misunderstandings and miscommunications in a vicious circle. Hopefully a little clarification will assist all concerned and will help build a strong and proud profession.

This article will speak to some of these myths and misconceptions within the context of Ontario legislation – that is The Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 (S.O. 2000, Chapter 13). Although much of what is indicated in this article will hold true across Canada, there are slight variations in the Acts and Regulations of each province and territory. Therefore, it is best to check with the local jurisdiction for appropriate interpretations.

I don’t sign reports, so I don’t need to be registered as a Professional Geoscientist.

If you are practicing professional geoscience you need a license. There is often a belief that since one is not filing reports or acting as a qualified person, one does not need to be registered to practice geoscience. This misconception may be partly the result of the fact that The Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 came into existence at about the same time as NI 43-101. NI 43-101 governs a company's public disclosure of scientific and technical information about its mineral projects and recognizes numerous national and international organizations/designations acceptable as one of the criteria for acting as a qualified person. Separate from the conditions of NI 43-101, in order to legally practice geoscience, it is a legal requirement to register within the province or territory in which you work.

In Ontario The Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 indicates:

“Practice of professional geoscience
2. (1) An individual practises professional geoscience when he or she performs an activity that requires the knowledge, understanding and application of the principles of geoscience and that concerns the safeguarding of the welfare of the public or the safeguarding of life, health or property including the natural environment. 2000, c. 13, s. 2 (1).

…Practice

3. (1) An individual shall not practise professional geoscience unless he or she is a member of the Association and practises in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her membership. 2000, c. 13, s. 3 (1).”

Therefore, in order to practise geoscience in Ontario, an individual must be a registered member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO). There are some exemptions such as: an individual who is engaged in activities that are confined to prospecting within the meaning of the Mining Act; a student who, when training to be a geoscientist, is under the supervision of a P.Geo. or P.Eng. qualified to conduct geoscience; or a recent university graduate who is obtaining their required four years of geoscience work experience under the guidance of a P.Geo. or P.Eng. qualified to conduct geoscience (although a Geoscientist-In-Training membership is recommended).

I’m registered in X province or territory, so I’m already a P.Geo. and can practise geoscience in Ontario.

Unfortunately this is not the case, although being registered in another Canadian jurisdiction simplifies the process of registering in Ontario. Each province and territory, with the exceptions of PEI and the Yukon, are governed by their own geoscience Acts and Regulations. Therefore, in order to practise geoscience in each jurisdiction in Canada, an individual must be registered in that jurisdiction and abide by the Act and Regulations for that jurisdiction.

Fortunately, there is an Inter Association Mobility Agreement (IAMA) in place to facilitate movement between Canadian jurisdictions. Ontario and Quebec also enjoy the Quebec-Ontario Inter Association Mobility Agreement which was designed to facilitate Incidental and Temporary practise in either jurisdiction (details available at www.apgo.net). These agreements, barring any home jurisdiction registration issues, allow for a quick registration in another jurisdiction, often within 72 hours.

I’m an AusIMM member and therefore can work anywhere in Canada.

This myth seems to have arisen due to the similar timing of the NI 43-101 becoming law and implementation of The Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000. AusIMM is one of the numerous recognized foreign associations for the purpose of fulfilling one of the criteria to be a qualified person under NI 43-101. Membership in this or any other foreign geoscience association does not qualify an individual to practise geoscience in Ontario. In order to practise geoscience in Ontario, one must be a registered member of the APGO.

I am a technologist/technician. Do I need to be a registered as a Professional Geoscientist?

No. Some geoscience activities may be carried out as part of the work of a technician or technologist trained in aspects of the geosciences who may be working independently, but whose work in geoscience closely follows prescribed procedures and is conducted with close reference to pre-established standards and norms and is supervised by a professional geoscientist.

Professional geoscience registration helps to protect the public, the environment and the reputation of the profession of geoscience. It calls for a certain standard for entry to the profession and allows for a peer review process, should an issue arise. Through the diligence of its members and member volunteers, we can all build a proud and honourable profession.

APGO welcomes inquires. Please contact the APGO at:

Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
60 St. Clair Ave., E., Suite 913
Toronto, ON M4T 1N5
Tel : 416-203-2746
Toll free : 1-877-557-2746