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CBA-User-Guide

The APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide outlines the application process for Professional Engineering applicants, detailing the necessary documentation and assessment tools required for registration. It emphasizes the importance of validators and references in confirming an applicant's work experience and competencies, as well as the structure of the assessment process itself. The guide also includes specific instructions on completing the Work Record Validator List and the Competency-Based Assessment Tool to ensure applicants meet APEGA's licensure requirements.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
10 views

CBA-User-Guide

The APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide outlines the application process for Professional Engineering applicants, detailing the necessary documentation and assessment tools required for registration. It emphasizes the importance of validators and references in confirming an applicant's work experience and competencies, as well as the structure of the assessment process itself. The guide also includes specific instructions on completing the Work Record Validator List and the Competency-Based Assessment Tool to ensure applicants meet APEGA's licensure requirements.

Uploaded by

mushtaqmemsca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 22

Registration Services

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide


For Professional Engineering Applicants
V7.2
October 16, 2024
The images contained within this document may not exactly match the latest version of
the software you are working with; however, it does not impact the process and
workflow associated with the application, and reference process.

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property


This functional-requirements specification document and all supplementary
documentation is the sole property of APEGA. The previously mentioned documentation
is deemed to contain confidential business, operational, and technical information that
shall remain strictly confidential and shall not be shared, replicated, nor disseminated to
any third party without the express written consent of a duly authorized executive
representative of APEGA.
This document, including the technical content of this document and the supplementary
documentation, is deemed to contain intellectual property that shall also remain
confidential and shall not be replicated, duplicated, or disseminated without the express
written consent of a duly authorized representative of APEGA.

The Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientist of Alberta (APEGA)


200-8615 51 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T6E 6A8

T: 780-426-3660
TF: 800-661-7020 (North America)
E: [email protected]
W: www.apega.ca

Copyright © 2023 APEGA

Publication History
Version Revision
1.0 Initial version
2.0 Update to content
3.0 Update due to change in system
4.0 Updating format of guide
5.0 Updating content
6.0 Updating content
7.0 Updating content
7.1 Updating wording due to changes
7.2 Update to mailing address

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 2 of 22


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APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 3 of 22


Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5
Before Starting an Application ......................................................................................... 5
Selecting Validators ..................................................................................................... 5
Competency-Based Assessment Overview .................................................................... 6
Competency Self-Assessment Worksheet ................................................................... 6
Work Record Validator List .......................................................................................... 7
References and Validators ....................................................................................... 8
Completing the Work Record Validator List ............................................................ 11
Competency-Based Assessment Tool ....................................................................... 12
Categories & Key Competencies ............................................................................ 12
Levels of Competency ............................................................................................ 13
Scoring ................................................................................................................... 13
Providing Examples ................................................................................................ 15
Completing the Competency-Based Assessment Tool ........................................... 16
The Assessment Process .............................................................................................. 18
Application Submission .............................................................................................. 18
Application Status Tracking........................................................................................ 18
Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................... 19

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 4 of 22


Introduction
This guide assists applicants applying to become Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) or
Engineering Licensees. It is intended to provide the applicant with a general outline of
application expectations.

CBA is not for applicants applying for the Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.),
Professional Licensee (P.L.), Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) or Geoscientist-in-Training
(G.I.T.) designations. For these designations, refer to their specific guidelines on the
Apply section of the APEGA website.

Before Starting an Application


Before beginning an application with APEGA, applicants should complete the following
steps to ensure there are no delays within their application.

To begin, applicants should:


1. Compile all the required documentation for the application. All documentation
must show the applicant’s full name (including middle names). If the applicant
has had any name changes that impact their name(s) on the documentation,
additional legal name change documentation will be required to support this
change.

2. Confirm the dates of their employment with their current and previous employers.

3. Contact all potential validators and references to ensure they are prepared to be
a part of the application process and they are aware of the tight timelines and
requirements. Applicants will also need to ensure that all contact information is
correct. References and validators who cannot be contacted will delay the
application.

Selecting Validators

Applicants must provide the names and email addresses for a minimum of one validator
for each company or organization during the timeframe provided. A validator is a
Professional Member or practitioner who may be a supervisor, mentor, manager,
colleague, or client. It is expected that if the competencies have been earned in Canada
they are validated by a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). A minimum of 3 validators must
be used for each application.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 5 of 22


The validator must have taken technical responsibility for the applicant’s work
and witnessed the applicant performing the duties and tasks as described in the
work and competencies.
Each validator must confirm the skill and ability for any competency the applicant lists
for a particular role. One validator may be able to validate multiple competencies, but
the validator must be listed on each form.
NOTE: The same validator may be used for different competencies as long as at least
three validators are provided overall. For example, because there are 22
competencies, and applicants need to use each validator at least once, one validator
could be used for up to a maximum of 20 competencies, leaving only one competency
each to be validated by the other two validators. Only one validator will be required for
each competency.
While completing the Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT), the applicant
assigns each example to a validator with first-hand knowledge of the work described.
This validator will be asked to review the applicant’s self-assessment and score and
comment on each assigned competency. Validators will be able to provide overall
feedback about the applicant’s suitability and readiness for registration. For additional
information about validators and references, please visit the Work Record Validator List
page on the APEGA website.

Competency-Based Assessment Overview

Competency-Based Assessment is a method of collecting and evaluating work


experience to determine an applicant’s suitability for registration by verifying and
reviewing their ability to perform fundamental engineering tasks safely and reliably.
Applicants for registration as a Professional Engineer must complete two forms to
confirm their work experience: the Work Record Validator List (WRVL) and
the Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT). The WRVL measures the duration
of an applicant’s experience, while the CBAT captures the competency examples.

Competency Self-Assessment Worksheet

The Competency Self-Assessment Worksheet (CSAW) is a free worksheet within the


Online Application System of the myAPEGA portal. The worksheet lists 22
competencies that Professional Engineers and Licensees must have to meet APEGA’s
licensure requirements. For best results, we encourage applicants to be candid and
include all their work experience.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 6 of 22


Completing this form is optional however, it is highly recommended so applicants can
compare their work experience competencies with those required by APEGA. To
complete the CSAW, an application must already be started, and the applicant must
have received their APEGA ID number.

A printable summary of the results will appear in an applicant’s myAPEGA portal after it
has been submitted. The results will provide an average for each competency category
with a comparison to APEGA’s minimum requirements.

The CSAW is only a self-assessment. The results will not be used on any official
APEGA form or application, nor will they affect an application. APEGA staff cannot view
or access the form or results and will not review, advise, mentor, or comment on the
results. The CSAW scores may differ from the official APEGA competency assessment.
If applicants would like to use the text from the CSAW in their official application, the
information must be saved into a word document for later. The CSAW document does
not need to be submitted for your application as it’s only a tool to assist you in planning.

Work Record Validator List

The Work Record Validator List (WRVL) is a chronological overview of an applicant’s


experience that includes brief details including dates of employment, employment
position titles, responsibilities, and reference/validator information.
For each employment period, the applicant must provide a reference to confirm they
were employed for a given period and position; the validator will review and score the
competencies in the Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT) that the applicant
has claimed for that position. It is encouraged that the reference and the validator are
the same person.
Each WRVL page must include:
• The name of the employer and the position that was held
• The country the work was performed
• The start date, end date, and total months that was worked with the company
Applicants must provide at least forty-eight (48) months of engineering experience
supported by references. Periods of unemployment, education, parental/maternity leave
or non-engineering experience should not be listed. Applicants should provide all their
relevant engineering experience.
If an applicant has not acquired experience in the last seven (7) years, they may be
assessed additional experience by the Board of Examiners.
The work descriptions are used to assess the duration of acceptable experience. When
providing the overview, applicants must explain how and where they personally applied

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 7 of 22


engineering theory, including the professional application of the applied sciences,
through:
• Design
• Design Review
• Analysis
Problem Solving
They must also briefly describe:
• The engineering problem they solved
• Focus on their specific contribution to the work, structure or process
• The calculations and/or analysis they performed
• Engineering principles applied
Also, applicants should avoid using examples where they performed:
• Routine maintenance
• Routine testing
• Construction
• Assembly
• Project Coordination
These should only be included if it involved a problem for which they provided an
engineering solution (i.e., the applicants applied engineering principles).

Applicants filling out the WRVL must explain any overlaps in work timeframes as they
are most often not accepted. Work experience should indicate whether the role was full-
or part-time. Applicants listing part-time experience should include the number of hours
worked during this time-period to avoid application delays.
NOTE: This is not a duplication of job description or position as defined by the
company, but the applicant’s specific area of work.

References and Validators

Work experience history and competencies must be verified in two ways:


1. References confirm the applicant was employed for a given period and position
2. Validators review and score the competencies in the CBAT that the applicant
has claimed for that position

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 8 of 22


References

A reference is a manager, human resources staff, or other individuals who can confirm
the applicant’s employment history. Professional designation is not mandatory. In most
cases the listed validator may also be the most appropriate reference.

When an applicant is using the same employer for multiple work records, only one
reference to confirm the employment period is required.
References are responsible for:
• Confirming in the Modified Reference Questionnaire (MRefQ) the applicant’s
employment at the company or organization during the specific times listed.
• Confirming an applicant’s time working in a role.
• Filling in and returning MRefQ’s presented to them.

Validators

A validator is an individual who assesses the applicant's competence within a role. A


validator must have direct, first-hand knowledge of the applicant's work and must have
provided suitable professional supervision of the applicant throughout the work period
being validated. They may have a title other than supervisor and may be a manager,
mentor, client, or colleague, but must have taken technical responsibility for the
applicant’s work.

For competency examples in a Canadian context, it is expected that validators are a


Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) who was registered during the work period they are
validating. For non-Canadian experience, validators are expected to be a practitioner in
engineering.

Any validator who is not a P.Eng. must explain how they are a practitioner in
engineering. This may include providing their engineering qualification (engineering
degree and professional designation). This information will be requested from the
validator by the Registration Program Coordinator (RPC) during processing, which may
include proof of academic and engineering credentials.
Family members and relatives are not acceptable as references or validators.
Applicants are expected to identify when a validator or reference is a family member.
Acceptability of the reference or validator is at the discretion of the APEGA Board of
Examiners.
Validators are responsible for:
• Reviewing and confirming they have witnessed and supervised the work associated
with the applicant’s example. (i.e., the applicant did what was described, particularly

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 9 of 22


the technical components that required engineering analysis, knowledge, and
judgement).
• Providing competence scores for key competencies in the Validator Response Form
(VRF) assigned by the applicant, as applicable. A validator may be required to
assess more than one competency and thus complete more than one VRF for the
applicant. A validator may be asked to validate up to 20 individual competencies.
• Filling in and returning all VRFs presented to them.
• Providing an overall feedback summary on the applicant’s readiness for registration
using the Validator Overall Reference Form (VORF).
• Filling in and returning the VORF back to APEGA.
• If required, identifying their professional designation and jurisdiction of registration.

For category one competencies, all validators are expected to:


• be a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) registered in Canada if the competencies were
demonstrated in Canada;
• be registered as a P.Eng. when the competencies were demonstrated;
• have taken technical responsibility for the work that was performed in Canada.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 10 of 22


Completing the Work Record Validator List
In each work record of the WRVL, the applicant enters the following information:
• Work Record Validator: Applicants must determine who can validate their
competencies at each company or organization during the timeframe provided.

• Work Record: Applicants must list the company name, position, work period dates,
country, and overview.

• Work Record Reference: Applicants must determine who can reference the time at
that company or organization during the timeframe provided.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 11 of 22


When completing the WRVL, remember:
• Pressing the Save button on the top of the form will allow the applicant to save the
current page information.
• When an applicant wishes to add an additional Work Record, the Save All button on
the bottom of the form must be pushed first, before pressing Add A New Work
Record Page. This saves all work throughout all the form(s).

Competency-Based Assessment Tool

Competency-Based assessment is a process to determine an applicant’s suitability for


registration through verification and review of their ability to perform fundamental
engineering tasks.

Applicants must provide examples that demonstrate their ability to practise


independently at a professional level and hold paramount the public interest. Applicants
must self-assess their level for each competency and support their assessment with
relevant examples taken from their work experience and validated by those working
closely with them. These examples must represent engineering tasks as related to the
practice of engineering as defined in the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act.
APEGA’s Board of Examiners will assess whether or not the applicant has
demonstrated they have applied these competencies at a professional level.

Categories & Key Competencies


APEGA’s Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT) separates the applicant’s key
competencies into six competency categories. These categories represent aspects of
expertise required to practise engineering effectively and safely.
The six competency categories are:
1. Technical Competence
2. Communication
3. Project & Financial Management
4. Team Effectiveness
5. Professional Accountability
6. Social, Economic, Environmental & Sustainability

Key Competencies
The competency categories are further divided into key competencies. There are 22 key
competencies that are skills or knowledge that APEGA has identified as crucial to the
professional practice of engineering. They are based on an applicant’s decisions,
behaviours, or application of skill or knowledge to different engineering situations. Each
key competency has a set of indicators for the applicant to meet.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 12 of 22


Indicators
Indicators are generalized examples of skills or behaviours that applicants can use to
illustrate a specific competency.
The indicators provided by APEGA can help applicants determine which aspects of their
work experience may apply. The indicators may also highlight any deficiencies
applicants may have.

Levels of Competency

Applicants and validators independently rank an applicant’s level of competence in each


key competency. Fulfillment of each key competency and competency category is
measured through the competency rating scale, which ranks the applicant’s skill on a
scale from zero to five.

The competency scoring scale measures the level of overall competence, not the level
of success an applicant achieved in a specific situation. The example reinforces the
score. The score is not about the example.
As illustrated in the schematic below, the applicant must be demonstrating a
competence level at entry-to-practice, demonstrating they will no longer require
supervision to complete their engineering tasks.

Scoring

There are five levels of scoring for each key competency. A score of three (3) indicates
a readiness to assume professional engineering responsibilities for independent
practice. A score of five (5) is typically attained by one who has been practising for
several years and has strong depth and breadth of experience using professional
judgement in one’s activities. Most applicants will not achieve this level.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 13 of 22


Each category has a required overall level of competence, which is set at either two (2)
or three (3), and the average of an applicant’s key competency score in each category
must meet or exceed the required level.

Technical Competencies
Category 1 – Required Category Score: 3

The scoring system for applicants’ abilities in technical aspects of their work is:
Level 0: Little or no exposure to the competency
Level 1: Training Level: a general appreciation and awareness of the competency
is required
Level 2: Requires knowledge and understanding of objectives: uses standard
engineering methods and techniques in solving problems
Level 3: Carries out assignment of moderate scope and complexity; is typically
seen to be prepared to assume professional engineering responsibilities
Level 4: Carries out responsible and varied assignments requiring general
familiarity with a broad field of engineering and knowledge
Level 5: Uses mature engineering knowledge, independent accomplishments, and
coordination of difficult and responsible assignments

Non-Technical Competencies
Categories 2, 4 & 5 – Required Category Score: 3
Categories 3 & 6 – Required Category Score: <2

The scoring system for applicants’ competency in communication, financial and project
management, team effectiveness, professional accountability, and social, economic,
and environmental accountability is:

Level 0: Little or no exposure to the competency


Level 1: Training Level: a general appreciation and awareness of the competency
is required
Level 2: At a level of limited experience; carries out activities of limited scope and
complexity; requires knowledge and understanding of objectives
Level 3: Approaching a professional level; carries out activities of moderate
complexity

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 14 of 22


Level 4: Working at a professional level; carries out responsible and varied
activities
Level 5: At a mature professional level; independent coordination of difficult and
responsible activities; independent accomplishments and coordination of
difficult and responsible assignments

Providing Examples

Applicants should be as specific as possible when filling out each key competency. Both
the competency description and indicators provide guidance on what the APEGA Board
of Examiners are looking for. Copying a job description or simply repeating back the
indicators is insufficient. They should include specific examples from the applicant’s
own work. Applicants should focus on their personal contributions to a situation, the
solution, and the steps taken.

If the example was within a group context, applicants should be sure to focus on their
own personal contributions to the solution and outline their thought process and any
specific knowledge applied to the situation. Applicants should write in the first-
person (using “I” statements instead of “we”). It is important to show ownership
and responsibility for work contributions, even if working as part of a group or
team. Applications will be stronger if applicants highlight situations demonstrating
competencies for which they were leading the work. The BOE must assess whether
applicants are competent to practise independently. It is important for applicants to
mention what they did, how they did it, and why they did it.

Applicants should use a unique case for each competency to help demonstrate breadth
and depth of their experience.

In some cases, applicants may wish to indicate how they might have approached the
situation differently. They should give examples for all roles and should use as many
different examples as possible. They should leave enough room to sufficiently explain
the contribution to each situation in the Action section of the form. Each competency
should contain only one example – it should be the strongest example - rather than
listing several examples for each competency. A list of brief overviews is not considered
sufficient. Examiners have no previous knowledge of this work and can only make
assessments based on the evidence provided.

Applicants should not focus on the details of the project (e.g., location budget) but rather
focus on their own contributions. This should include how they used professional
engineering judgement.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 15 of 22


Completing the Competency-Based Assessment Tool

Under each key competency, applicants need to describe examples of recent


engineering activities that best demonstrate achievement of the competency. When
filling out the form, they must select the company name and validator from the
previously created list. Applicants will also fill in validator names, emails addresses, and
positions, and then complete the situations, actions, and outcomes that would satisfy
each key competency.

Each competency page must include:


• Employer and Position (of the validator): The applicant’s employer and validator
position where the experience related to the competency was gained. The position
and time periods at the employer must be present in the work experience history.

• Validator: The individual who will be reviewing and providing feedback on the
applicant’s self-assessment for the specific competency, and who had direct
knowledge and supervision of the applicant’s work.

• Situation: A brief overview of a specific situation or problem that the applicant is


presenting for that competency.

• Action: The applicant’s contributions to the situation, including specific knowledge or


skills used.

• Outcome: The solution, product, process, or other outcome that resulted from the
applicant’s actions.

• Canadian Environment Example: Mark whether this experience was gained in a


Canadian environment demonstrating application of relevant codes, standards, and
business processes applicable to Canadian practice and societal impact.

• Applicant Self-Assessed Competence Level: The score (0-5) the applicant


believes was demonstrated for the competency.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 16 of 22


APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 17 of 22
The Assessment Process

Application Submission
Once all application submission requirements have been completed, applications are
sent for a multi-stage regulatory review administered by APEGA’s Registration
Department. This process is in support of the Board of Examiners (BOE), the decision-
making body on all applications. The BOE decision on the application will be emailed to
the applicant’s primary email address on file by the end of the month following the
Board meeting. BOE meetings typically occur monthly.

Application Status Tracking


Applicants can track the status of their applications by logging in to the myAPEGA
Portal. Throughout this process, staff will notify applicants via email if they require
additional documents. Applicants may be asked to refine a competency description if
the example provided was insufficient. If a change is requested and made, it must be re-
validated and scored by the validator.
Applicants must request changes to their applications by email. Changes will only be
accepted prior to the review and evaluation by examiners. Multiple revisions will delay
the application process. Once a decision is made, applicants can challenge a decision
through the reassessment or reconsideration process. Find more information about
Application Decisions on our website.
Applicants should ensure that all contact information is updated in the myAPEGA portal.
All email communication will be sent to the primary email address on file. If APEGA
cannot reach an applicant for updates, the application may be flagged for
withdrawal.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 18 of 22


Frequently Asked Questions

My work conditions are confidential. How do I submit my competency-based


assessment?
Examiners do not need a high level of detail on confidential information – they need
sufficient evidence to be satisfied that you are able to practice competently as a
professional engineer. APEGA would expect that this could be demonstrated by
documentation that describes the nature of your work and its complexities without
disclosing confidential details about solutions or business processes. All APEGA
examiners are bound by confidentiality.
I have only worked on two major projects over my four years of experience. Do I
need to use a different project for each key competency?
It is acceptable to reference the same major project in multiple key competency
examples as long as you describe the specific actions that were taken to demonstrate
each key competency. Portions of the Situation section may be repeated, but entire
examples may not be. The Action section, in particular, should be specific to each key
competency.
Do I need to spread out my examples from all four years of my work experience,
or can I focus on the most recent and highest-level experience?
There is no requirement to cover the entire four years of experience through
competency examples. You are encouraged to select your strongest examples for each
key competency, so focusing on recent experience is acceptable. However, it may be
advantageous for the overall assessment if you provide more breadth and depth in your
examples.
How long should my examples be?
The Situation and Outcome sections should be concise. Both have a character limit
of 400 characters per section, with no space for overflow; this includes spaces
between words.
The Action section has a character limit of 1,800 characters with no space for
overflow (this includes spaces between words) where you can provide sufficient
details of your contribution to each situation and prove that you have demonstrated the
competency. Point form is acceptable. Be aware that in addition to the specific
examples used for Communication – Written competency, an examiner may also use
your overall application as written in consideration of meeting the competency.
NOTE: The space allocations for each section are defined. Copying and pasting
your work from a word document may exceed the allotted space. If you notice a

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 19 of 22


‘scroll bar’ in any of your text areas, you will need to reduce the number of
characters used. APEGA staff cannot view text that exceeds the character limit
Can I use the same situation to fulfill multiple competencies?
The APEGA Board of Examiners will be looking for progression through your career;
this is evident through depth and breadth of situations and experience. Competency-
Based Assessment submissions will not be refused for using the same situation for
multiple competencies, but it may not lead to the most positive outcome for the overall
demonstration of ability to practice independently.
How detailed must my examples be for each competency?
We strongly encourage using as many different examples as possible leaving enough
room to sufficiently explain your contribution to each situation in the Action section of
the form. Each competency should contain only one example – what you feel is your
strongest - rather than listing several examples for each competency. A list of brief
overviews is not considered sufficient. Examiners have no previous knowledge of this
work and can only make assessments based on the evidence provided.
Copying a job description is insufficient as there should be a focus on your personal
contributions to a solution, and the steps taken.
Discretion about the level of detail needed for each specific example is recommended.
Fewer details may be required for overly complex projects that span multiple
departments/years, while smaller projects may need more details included to ensure
that the examiners fully grasp the importance and scope of the contributions.
What if I don’t have any specific examples for one or more competencies?
You are required to prove competence in all 22 competencies. If you do not have any
professional experience that satisfies one or more of the competencies, you should
consider delaying your application until you have gained the necessary experience.
What if I can’t complete a section?
You must be able to provide satisfactory examples for all competencies. If you do not
yet have adequate experience to be able to do that, you will need to wait until you have
gained adequate experience. Applications submitted with less than 48 months
experience will be declined.
What if I have less than 48 months of experience but I can still complete all my
competency requirements?
The requirement for 48 months experience is a legal requirement, established in the
Engineering and Geoscientist Professions Act and General Regulation & Code of
Ethics. It is not possible to apply for registration prior to accumulating at least 48
months of acceptable experience. An application submitted before 48 months

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 20 of 22


experience has been obtained, will be declined without further processing, even if you
self-assess as having met all the competencies.
It is highly unlikely that a new engineering graduate will be considered competent in all
competencies prior to 48 months. 48 months is the minimum experience necessary to
be considered for registration, and most new engineers will be just entering a level of
competence where they can practice independently.
There is some tendency to over-rate competencies by new engineers which should be
avoided. By way of comparison, many engineers with over a decade of experience will
only be operating between a level of three or four on the competency rating scale.
How many references do I need?
Applicants need a reference who can confirm the work chronology at each organization
the applicants were employed with. One reference may be able to reference multiple
work periods for any one particular company/organization but must be listed on each
Work Record form.
How many validators do I need?
A minimum of three validators overall are required for each application, and the
validator must take technical responsibility for the work described in each of the
competencies. Again, it is recommended to give wider exposure of different work
situations and validators to demonstrate your overall ability to practice independently.
Please make sure to list all three validators in your competency submissions – each
validator must be used at least once. If an application is submitted listing less than
three validators, it will be declined, and you will be asked to apply again.
Do I need a different validator for every competency?
The same validator may be used for different competencies as long as at least three
validators are provided overall. For example, because there are 22 competencies, and
you need to use each validator at least once, you could use one validator for up to a
maximum of 20 competencies, leaving only one competency each to be validated by
your other two validators.
What will my references receive?
The references will receive one eform to confirm the employment timelines for each of
the work periods you listed. This may be someone in an HR department or another
manager that can verify your employment history within each organization you are
referencing.
What will my validators receive?
Validators will receive the same number of forms as competencies they are listed for, to
corroborate the situation, action, outcome and self-rating provided by you.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 21 of 22


Please remember, for example: if you have a validator who is asked to validate 16
different competencies, that validator will receive an email containing 16 links to each
individual competency page. Please make sure to discuss this with your validators to
make them aware.
Occasionally, there may be a need to change validators throughout the process. You
can manage this process independently until all the Validator Response Forms (VRFs)
have been submitted. Changes to validators need to be completed in both the WRVL
and CBAT forms and once the change is complete, you will need to resubmit your
eform.

Once all competency pages have been received and your application is processing, one
final summary/confirmation email will be sent to each validator (Validator Overall
Reference Form – VORF). This needs to be completed for your application to continue.
How will I know what competencies/categories I failed?
After the APEGA Board of Examiners have reviewed, and made a decision on, the
application, you will receive an official decision letter stating if any competencies were
failed and require more information. You can then either submit a Reassessment
updating the failed categories, or gain more experience and submit a Request for
Update at a later period.
I submitted 48 months of experience but was told I need to submit 12 more
months?
Once you feel you have gained the X number of months requested by the APEGA
Board of Examiners, you may submit a Request for Update with the additional
experience.

APEGA Competency-Based Assessment Guide V7 October 16, 2024 Page 22 of 22

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