Manitoba passes registration law

Manitoba has joined the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and New Brunswick in passing legislation requiring geologists to be registered professionally.

The new law, the Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Act, was passed June 29 in the provincial Legislature. It amends a previous act under which geoscientists were governed by regulations set out for the province’s engineers. The amendments were proposed by both the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba and a committee of Manitoba geologists.

Under the new legislation, the province’s practising engineers and geoscientists must be registered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of Manitoba (APEGM). Candidates must hold a degree in geology or geophysics and have four years of professional experience.

Practising but unlicenced geoscientists can register under “grandparent” criteria, which includes an evaluation of educational and professional qualifications by two committees. The applicant must also pass a test, dubbed the Professional Practice Examination.

Geoscientists without four years of experience can apply for enrollment as geoscientists-in-training.

Professional Practice Examinations are scheduled for Oct. 18, 1999 and April 17, 2000, throughout the province. Those applying under grandparent criteria must pass one of these examinations to be eligible for registration.

Geoscientists seeking to write the October exam must apply to the APEGM by Sept. 1, 1999. For more information on registration and exams, contact the APEGM at (204) 474-2736. Fax: (204) 474-5960. Website: http://www.apegm.mb.ca.