Professional Practice Standard
y NOVEMBER 1, 2025y
Continuing Professional
Development
Continuing Professional Development
Document History
Date Version Revision Description
April 2014 1.0 Released for use.
Administrative changes to support myAPEGA; minor
July 2021 1.2
clarifications.
Administrative changes to Section 3.4 due to CPD
December 2021 1.3
submission window requirements in myAPEGA.
Administrative changes to sections 3.0 and 3.3 to provide
July 1, 2023 1.4
clarity on reporting requirements.
Final draft is provided for reference only and is not in effect.
November 1, 2024 1.4.22
Version 1.4 remains enforceable.
Substantive changes to introduce learning modules and
November 1, 2025 2.0
PACE plan.
© Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, 2014, 2025
All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
Preface........................................................................................................................................................................4
Contributors.............................................................................................................................................................4
Definitions.................................................................................................................................................................5
1.0 Overview.................................................................................................................................................8
1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE.............................................................................................................. 8
1.2 REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................. 9
2.0 Professional and Ethical Obligations.........................................................................................9
2.1 PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS.............................................................................................. 9
2.2 ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS..........................................................................................................10
3.0 Requirements for Continuing Professional Development............................................ 10
3.1 LEARNING MODULES............................................................................................................10
3.1.1 APEGA Review of Completed Learning Modules .................................................................. 11
3.2 PERSONAL ANNUAL COMPETENCY EVALUATION PLAN................................................ 11
3.2.1 APEGA Review of the PACE Plan ............................................................................................12
4.0 Consequences of Non-Compliance.......................................................................................... 13
5.0 Temporary Withdrawal from Practice .................................................................................. 13
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Preface
An APEGA professional practice standard describes the level of performance required of licensed professionals.
Part 8 of the General Regulation under Section 59 allows APEGA to publish standards that define the expectations
and professional obligations of APEGA permit holders and licensed professionals.
The differences between a professional practice standard, a practice bulletin, and a practice guideline are as follows.
• An APEGA professional practice standard sets the minimum standard of practice permit holders
and licensed professionals must meet. It is the standard against which a permit holder’s or licensed
professional’s practice and conduct will be assessed by APEGA’s statutory boards.
• An APEGA professional practice bulletin provides clarity on a specific subject related to professional
practice. Bulletins remain in force until a practice standard or guideline on the subject is developed or
revised, or until the practice bulletin is repealed.
• An APEGA professional practice guideline provides professional practice advice and best practice
recommendations to help permit holders and licensed professionals meet their professional obligations.
APEGA statutory boards may assess a permit holder’s or licensed professional’s practice and conduct
against practice guidelines.
Practice standards, bulletins, and guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Engineering and Geoscience
Professions Act, the General Regulation, APEGA’s bylaws, and any other applicable legislation, codes,
or standards.
Contributors
APEGA thanks everyone who contributed to this practice standard for their time and commitment. The contributors
to this version were as follows:
Mohamed Abdi Daniel Lawrysyn, [Link]. Andy Smith, [Link].
John Corriveau, [Link]. Kirsten Merle, [Link]. Mark Tokarik, [Link]., LLB
Dianne Johnstone Allan Ng, [Link].
The continuing professional development and education programs of the Association of Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS) and Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) informed the
development of this practice guideline. Thank you to APEGS and EGBC.
Questions or suggestions concerning this document can be sent to:
Director, Professional Practice
professionalpractice@[Link]
Visit [Link]/practice-standards for more information.
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Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the terms and definitions listed below apply. These terms are italicized throughout
the text.
Authentication
The act of applying the required authentication components to a professional work product (PWP). Authentication
must be performed in accordance with the practice standard Authenticating Professional Work Products. When a
licensed professional authenticates a PWP, this means they have completed, performed a thorough review of, or
directly supervised and controlled the engineering or geoscience work and accept professional responsibility for
the engineering or geoscience involved.
Client
The person, owner, or agent of the owner who requires the services of a consultant.
Competence
The combined knowledge, skills, proficiency, and judgement required by a licensed professional to provide
professional services. Competence, in this usage, does not refer just to the competencies that applicants must
demonstrate through APEGA’s competency-based assessment, but to a licensed professional’s overall state of
being competent to perform the work they undertake.
Consultant
A permit holder or licensed professional in Alberta who provides professional services directly to a client.
Continuing Professional Development Activity (CPD Activity)
Any activity by the licensed professional that enhances their technical, regulatory, ethical practice, or
communication, management, and leadership skills and knowledge.
Continuing Professional Development Due Date (CPD Due Date)
Date when the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development practice standard must be met (same as
the annual expiry date).
Direct Supervision and Control
The high degree of guidance a licensed professional provides to one or more individuals. The licensed professional
accepts professional responsibility for engineering or geoscience tasks performed under their guidance. Direct
supervision and control includes directing, monitoring, and controlling the engineering and geoscience work
performed, including making all decisions related to the practices of engineering and geoscience.
Direct supervision and control requirements are detailed in the practice standard Relying on the Work of Others
and Outsourcing.
Good Standing
Permit holders, licensed professionals, and members-in-training are considered in good standing with APEGA if
they meet the criteria set out in the Good Standing Policy.
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Licensed Professional
A professional engineer, professional geoscientist, professional licensee (engineering), professional licensee
(geoscience), licensee (engineering), or licensee (geoscience) entitled by the Engineering and Geoscience
Professions Act to practise engineering or geoscience in Alberta.
Output
See Professional Services Output.
Permit Holder
A partnership or other association of persons, or corporation that holds a Permit to Practice under the Engineering
and Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act. The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of
Alberta (ASET) permit holders, as defined in Section 86(4) of the EGP Act, are not included.
Permit to Practice
An APEGA certificate given to permit holders to practise engineering or geoscience in Alberta.
Personal Annual Competency Evaluation Plan (PACE Plan)
A licensed professional’s written plan describing how they will contribute to their continuing competence in
their specific area or areas of practice. This plan is a requirement of the Continuing Professional Development
practice standard.
Practice Review Board (PRB)
A statutory board established under Section 15 of the Engineering and Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act. Through
its powers established in Section 16 of the EGP Act, the Practice Review Board provides regulatory oversight to
professional practice by developing and maintaining practice standards relating to the competent practice of
the professions, conducting practice reviews of licensed professionals and permit holders, and administering the
Continuing Professional Development Program (General Regulation Section 16[2]).
Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP)
A permit holder’s written corporate policies, procedures, and systems describing the quality control and
assurance measures in place to ensure appropriate standards of professional practice are maintained as
described in Section 48(1)(d) of the General Regulation.
Professional Services
Services that involve the practice of engineering as defined in Section 1(q) of the Engineering and Geoscience
Professions (EGP) Act or the practice of geoscience as defined in Section 1(r) of the EGP Act. The products of
professional services are called outputs.
Professional Services Output (or Output)
Any product—physical, electronic, or digital—resulting from a professional service. Not all outputs require
authentication and validation.
Professional Work Product (PWP)
A professional services output that requires authentication and validation as described in the practice standard
Authenticating Professional Work Products. Defined in the General Regulation as “…plans, specifications, reports,
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or documents of a professional nature,” a professional work product (PWP) is any professional services output
with technical information that is complete and final for its intended purpose, and which is relied upon by others,
internally or externally. A PWP can be physical (e.g., paper, plastic film), electronic (e.g., electronic document,
image), or digital (e.g., code, software, modelling, simulation, or any other computer application that cannot be
reproduced in a physical or electronic format). See the authentication test in the practice standard Authenticating
Professional Work Products when assessing whether an output is a PWP.
Responsible Member
A licensed professional who is responsible for providing oversight of the practice of engineering or geoscience by
the permit holder and meets the specification in Part 7, Section 48(1)(c) of the General Regulation. A Responsible
Member must be qualified by education and experience in the profession of engineering or geoscience in which
the partnership, corporation, or other entity intends to engage; designated in writing by the permit holder; and
registered with APEGA as a Responsible Member.
The Responsible Member must have a sufficiently close relationship with the permit holder to undertake the roles
and responsibilities associated with acting as a Responsible Member. The role of Responsible Member may not be
delegated to other licensed professionals who are not Responsible Members.
A Responsible Member can be:
• a full-time, permanent employee of the permit holder
• a member of the permit holder
• a sole practitioner
• an individual providing professional services to the permit holder through a contractual arrangement or as
a part-time employee
The permit holder’s Responsible Members direct, supervise, and control all or part of a permit holder’s professional
practice in accordance with the permit holder’s Professional Practice Management Plan and all relevant legislation,
regulations, and codes.
Sole Practitioner
Within Alberta, an individual who practises engineering or geoscience as an incorporated entity. A sole
practitioner must hold a Permit to Practice.
Technical Information
A term for content or data derived from the practice of engineering or geoscience as defined by the Engineering
and Geoscience Professions Act, including advice, analyses, assessments, calculations, designs, evaluations, inputs
(e.g., to planning or to modelling and simulation), interpretations, notes, opinions, recommendations, and process
descriptions.
Thorough Review
An evaluation of the outputs of professional services prepared by others to verify their reliability, validity, and
technical accuracy. Thorough review requirements are detailed in the practice standard Relying on the Work of
Others and Outsourcing.
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Unprofessional Conduct or Unskilled Practice
Actions or behaviours of permit holders, licensed professionals, and members-in-training that are found to be
unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice under Section 44 of the Engineering and Geoscience Professions
(EGP) Act, in accordance with the discipline processes set out in Part 5 of the EGP Act.
Validation
The act of applying the required validation components to a professional work product (PWP). Validation must be
performed in accordance with the practice standard Authenticating Professional Work Products. When a permit
holder’s Responsible Member validates a PWP, this means they have reviewed the PWP to ensure it meets the
quality control and assurance measures described in the permit holder’s Professional Practice Management Plan.
1.0 Overview
The Engineering and Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act, Section 16(1) of the General Regulation, authorizes
APEGA Council to establish a compulsory continuing education program for all licensed professionals.
APEGA’s Practice Review Board (PRB) administers the Continuing Professional Development practice standard,
which defines the minimum requirements licensed professionals must meet to fulfil their continuing professional
development (CPD) obligations. This version replaces version 1.4 of the Continuing Professional Development
standard, published by APEGA on July 1, 2023.
The EGP Act grants the professions the privilege of self-governance. In the interests of protecting the health,
safety, and welfare of the public, as well as retaining the privilege of self-regulation, permit holders, licensed
professionals, and members-in-training must maintain high standards of professional practice and conduct.
The practices of engineering and geoscience are constantly evolving, and the Continuing Professional
Development practice standard establishes the requirements for ongoing learning that will enable licensed
professionals to maintain the high standard of practice they are obligated to uphold. In addition to keeping up
with changes in the practice of the professions, ongoing learning is important for reinforcing knowledge in key
technical, ethical, and regulatory areas that support the protection of the public and the environment.
1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Protecting the public interest is paramount for licensed professionals. At a minimum, this requires licensed
professionals to understand and meet their obligations under the EGP Act, General Regulation, bylaws,
and APEGA practice standards, bulletins, and guidelines and take responsibility for their own technical and
professional development as covered in the Code of Ethics. Recognizing the diversity of roles and responsibilities
of APEGA licensed professionals, this standard provides the minimum requirements for ongoing learning, allowing
licensed professionals the flexibility to undertake activities that provide the greatest benefit.
Rule 2 of the Code of Ethic’s Rules of Conduct states that professional engineers and geoscientists shall undertake
only work that they are competent to perform by virtue of their training and experience. Licensed professionals
have an ethical and professional responsibility to develop and maintain their competence throughout their
careers by engaging in ongoing learning. When this does not happen, the licensed professional’s ability to meet
their obligation to protect the public may be affected. If there are findings of unprofessional conduct or unskilled
practice, this could result in restrictions to a licensed professional’s practice.
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Ongoing learning contributes to the maintenance of competence and helps licensed professionals perform in their
present or future roles more effectively. CPD can take many forms, such as courses and seminars, participation
on technical committees, attending conferences and workshops, self-directed study, and mentorships with other
professionals. If licensed professionals do not take the time to reflect on their competence needs and identify how
they can address gaps in their competence, this can lead to licensed professionals performing work outside
their competence.
This standard applies to all licensed professionals. It does not apply to students, examination candidates, or
members-in-training. However, as members-in-training must abide by the Code of Ethics, they are encouraged to
familiarize themselves with this standard in preparation for becoming licensed professionals. For newly registered
licensed professionals, the requirement to engage in professional development activities begins on the date
of registration.
1.2 REFERENCES
This standard references the following publications. The latest versions are available at
[Link]/practice-standards.
• Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act, General Regulation, and APEGA’s bylaws
• Authenticating Professional Work Products practice standard
• Ethical Practice practice guideline
• Personal Annual Competency Evaluation practice guideline
• Good Standing Policy
2.0 Professional and Ethical Obligations
2.1 PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS
Part 2 of the General Regulation requires licensed professionals to comply with the requirements of the Continuing
Professional Development practice standard as it applies to that individual’s practice of engineering or geoscience.
Section 19 requires licensed professionals to:
a) maintain a written record of activities undertaken in accordance with the Continuing Professional
Development practice standard; and
b) produce the record under clause (a) on the request of the Practice Review Board (PRB).
A licensed professional must be able to satisfy the PRB that they are complying with the requirements of the practice
standard. The PRB may:
• conduct a review of the licensed professional’s practice in accordance with the Engineering and
Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act and the General Regulation
• recommend to the Investigative Committee at any time during a review that the review be conducted by
the Investigative Committee under Part 5 of the EGP Act
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2.2 ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS
Licensed professionals must comply with the Code of Ethics and its five Rules of Conduct as defined in the
General Regulation, and they must maintain a level of competence necessary to perform their job function. If
a licensed professional is aware that another licensed professional is failing to meet the requirements of the
Continuing Professional Development practice standard, they should attempt to resolve the issue with that licensed
professional, if possible. If attempts to resolve the issue are unsuccessful, the licensed professional must report the
failing to APEGA.
3.0 Requirements for Continuing Professional Development
The Continuing Professional Development practice standard comprises two separate and distinct components that
must both be completed annually:
1. learning modules
2. Personal Annual Competency Evaluation (PACE) plan
The learning modules present the core information all licensed professionals should know and understand,
including obligations under legislation, requirements of APEGA practice standards and bulletins, and principles of
professionalism and ethical practice.
The PACE plan allows the licensed professional to tailor their continuing competence needs to their own specific
role, responsibilities, and circumstances.
To meet the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development practice standard, licensed professionals must:
• complete the learning modules, as specified in Section 3.1, by their continuing professional development
(CPD) due date each year
• create a PACE plan each year that meets the requirements outlined in Section 3.2
• in the method specified by APEGA, declare by their CPD due date each year that they:
○ created and followed a PACE plan meeting the requirements of Section 3.2
○ created a record of their completed CPD activities, as outlined in Section 3.2
• if requested, in the method specified by APEGA, submit documentation by the deadline provided, as
outlined in sections 3.1.1 and 3.2.1
3.1 LEARNING MODULES
The learning modules are online tools designed to help licensed professionals understand their obligations under
the Engineering and Geoscience Professions (EGP) Act. Licensed professionals access the learning modules
through the APEGA online learning management system (LMS). When a licensed professional completes a
learning module, the LMS provides a certificate to the licensed professional indicating completion.
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Licensed professionals must complete the learning modules assigned and provided by APEGA annually.
The learning modules, which are specific to APEGA, cover five knowledge areas:
• Authenticating Professional Work Products
• Duty to Report
• Ethical Practice
• Regulatory
• Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing
Learning modules must be completed no later than the licensed professional’s CPD due date. Note that
Responsible Members have an additional obligation to complete a Permit to Practice seminar every five years,
as per General Regulation 48.1. This obligation is not part of the Continuing Professional Development practice
standard requirements.
3.1.1 APEGA Review of Completed Learning Modules
The licensed professional must retain a copy of each certificate provided by the LMS as part of the written record
of activities the licensed professional is required to maintain under Section 19(a) of the General Regulation.
The learning module certificates are only submitted to APEGA when requested by the Practice Review Board (PRB)
or APEGA staff designate (reference General Regulation 19[b]). When requested, the learning module certificates
must be submitted by the provided deadline in the method specified by APEGA.
3.2 PERSONAL ANNUAL COMPETENCY EVALUATION PLAN
In accordance with Rule 2 of the Rules of Conduct, licensed professionals must ensure they are competent to perform
any work or role they undertake. Being competent means the licensed professional has the ability to effectively
perform a service in a skilled, knowledgeable, and ethical manner consistent with their position and responsibilities.
It is the licensed professional’s responsibility to determine what is required to maintain competence in their specific
area or areas of practice. Licensed professionals must contribute to their continuing competence by evaluating
their needs and creating and following plans for ongoing learning. The PACE plan is a tool to help licensed
professionals plan how they will meet their continuing competence needs and record completed CPD activities.
The PACE plan must:
• cover their current practice area(s) and any future areas they are pursuing in the upcoming year
• identify the skills and knowledge required to maintain or enhance the licensed professional’s
continuing competence
• reasonably demonstrate to any professional peers who review the PACE plan that it contributes to the
licensed professional’s continuing competence
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• include a record of the completed CPD activities with a written explanation of how each activity
contributed to their continuing competence, and must include:
○ at least one completed technical activity appropriate for contributing to continuing competence with
technological advancements and changes to codes, industry standards, and techniques, as well as
other activities related to their individual practice area(s)
○ at least one completed activity in any of the following categories:
regulatory
ethical practice
communications, management, and leadership
○ supporting documentation as evidence of completed CPD activities
At a minimum, licensed professionals must complete two CPD activities annually. However, it is up to licensed
professionals to determine if their continuing competence needs can reasonably be met if they complete only two
CPD activities. Learning modules are a distinct and separate component from the PACE plan and cannot be used
to meet the CPD activity requirements. Refer to the Personal Annual Competency Evaluation practice guideline for
further details and for examples of appropriate CPD activities.
By their CPD due date, licensed professionals must declare they created and followed their PACE plan for the
past year.
3.2.1 APEGA Review of the PACE Plan
The PACE plan is an annual requirement, and a new PACE plan must be created each year. Within that year, the
PACE plan must be maintained and must be revised as soon as the licensed professional experiences a change in
role, responsibilities, or area of practice such that the existing PACE plan is no longer suitable. Refer to the relevant
provincial legislation for retention requirements.
As per sections 20(2)(a) and (b) of the General Regulation, the PRB may review a licensed professional’s PACE
plans in detail, and therefore licensed professionals must retain supporting documents to verify all CPD activities
performed under their PACE plans. The PRB could request PACE plans for the current year and multiple historic years.
During a review, the PRB will assess the PACE plans against the recommended best practices outlined in the
Personal Annual Competency Evaluation practice guideline. Licensed professionals will be notified of the outcome
of the review and whether their activities reasonably demonstrate continuing competence to the PRB or other
statutory boards.
PACE plans only need to be submitted to APEGA when requested by the PRB or APEGA staff designate.
When they are requested, the PACE plans must be submitted by the provided deadline in the method
specified by APEGA.
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4.0 Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development practice standard will result
in a loss of good standing for the licensed professional. After a loss of good standing, a Practice Review Board
(PRB) review may be initiated. Failing to provide adequate documentation during a PRB review will result in the
cancellation of the licensed professional’s registration.
5.0 Temporary Withdrawal from Practice
The Continuing Professional Development practice standard allows licensed professionals who may not
be practising full time to remain in compliance by completing the learning modules and tailoring their Personal
Annual Competency Evaluation plans according to their specific life circumstances and abilities.
However, if individual circumstances still do not permit compliance with this practice standard, it is the licensed
professional’s responsibility to contact APEGA.
For a temporary withdrawal from practice, APEGA does not recommend that licensed professionals enter
non-practising status for not meeting the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development practice
standard. Licensed professionals must request permission from the Practice Review Board to return to practice
from non-practising status, and they may be subject to practice conditions upon returning to practice.
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