Professions
Access to the Geoscience Profession in Ontario
This document was developed in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Access to Professions and Trades Unit in July 2005. Requirements may have changed by the time you apply. Please contact the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario before completing your application.
Copyright in this career map is held jointly by the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, © 2005. This career map may be used or reproduced by any third party for non-commercial, not-for-profit purposes, provided no fee, payment or royalty of any kind is charged by the third party for any further use or reproduction of the career map by any person. Any proposed commercial or for-profit use or reproduction of this career map requires a written licence from the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.The practice of “professional geoscience” is defined in the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000 as follows:
“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.”
The geoscience profession is regulated in the Province of Ontario by the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO), an organization that is responsible for
- setting standards for admission into membership in the Association and to the practice of professional geoscience, and
- regulating the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario.
The rules concerning the licensing of professional geoscientists in Ontario are set out in provincial legislation – the Professional Geoscientists Act, 2000, Registration Regulation 59/01, amended to O. Reg. 387/01, Code of Ethics for Professional Geoscientists O.Reg. 60/01 and Disciplinary Matters – Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings Relating to the Practice of Professional Geoscience O.Reg. 258/02.
By law, no one is authorized to practise as a professional geoscientist in Ontario without a licence.
There are over 1100 professional geoscientists in Ontario and more than 8000 in Canada. Professional geoscientists use the abbreviation “P.Geo.” after their names. In Ontario, professional geoscientists specialize in a wide range of activities, such as, but not limited to
- surface mapping and sampling,
- three dimensional geoscientific interpretation and geostatistical modeling,
- terrain and terrain stability analysis,
- geological surveys,
- petrology and mineralogy,
- mineral exploration,
- oil and gas exploration,
- groundwater studies,
- environmental assessment,
- site remediation,
- expert testimony, and
- teaching of geoscience and supervision of geoscience students.
Professional geoscientists work as employees of large or small companies, in education or government, or as independent practitioners and consultants.
The APGO licenses professional geoscientists for practice only within Ontario. However, as with other regulated professions in Canada, there is an agreement among the Canadian provinces and Territories that will normally allow you to transfer your licence or obtain another provincial/territorial license if you need to practise in another province or territory of Canada. Each province or territory regulates the practice of professional engineering within that jurisdiction.
Applicants who have not previously been registered or licensed as a professional geoscientist by another Canadian professional geoscientist association/ordre before applying to the APGO, will be required to meet the current APGO admission criteria with respect to knowledge and geoscience work experience. In addition, an applicant must successfully complete the Professional Practice and Ethics examination requirement unless an equivalent requirement acceptable to the APGO’s Registration Committee has been previously completed for registration elsewhere in Canada.
The APGO offers four classes of licence (membership) which are defined as follows:
- Practising – This is a standard, full membership.
- Temporary – This membership is required for visiting professionals who work in Ontario for a time-limited assignment. These visiting experts must work in collaboration with a Practising member licensed in Ontario.
- Limited – This membership applies to a limited scope of practice as defined in the license and does not require the same academic qualifications as practising membership.
- Non-practising – These members are former licence holders who no longer practise.
For more information on membership categories, please consult http://www.apgo.net/membership/classes.html.
Right to Practise in Ontario
Only those who are granted the “professional geoscientist” licence may practise professional geoscience in Ontario. Those who have not yet obtained a licence to practise may only conduct work as a geoscientist in the capacity of a technician/technologist or registered Geoscientist in Training under the supervision of a Professional Geoscientist. (See Geoscientist-in-Training Program section.)
To become licensed by the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO), you must
- be at least 18 years old,
- be of good character,
- hold a minimum of a four-year undergraduate degree in a geoscience (or possess an equivalent or acceptable credential) as determined by the Registration Committee which fulfills the stipulated requirements,
- demonstrate at least 48 months of verifiable, acceptable geoscience work experience, of which at least 12 months has been acquired in a Canadian work environment or equivalent, and
- sit and pass the Professional Practice and Ethics Examination.
- Note that it is not an APGO requirement to have permanent residency in Canada in order to apply for registration or for a licence to be issued. The international applicant is required to meet all the knowledge, work experience and other criteria in order to qualify for admission, to abide by the Code of Ethics, and to practise geoscience to the standards expected of a professional registered with the APGO.
Application Process
The APGO will accept and process an application for membership and registration from an applicant from a foreign country or from an individual who has not yet obtained approval of their immigration application from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. All applications are treated in the same manner and must meet the requirements as specified below.
Component 1 – Apply for a licence
To download our application for membership and registration, visit APGO’s website (www.apgo.net) or contact our office at the address provided at the end of this career map. All applicants will receive a document entitled “Guideline to Registration including an Application for Membership”. This document is currently available in English only.
In order to be a successful applicant, you must meet knowledge requirements, qualifying work experience requirements and pass the Professional Practice and Ethics Examination. These will be described in more detail below.
Component 2 – Assessment of knowledge
Geoscience is a broad applied science. Academic requirements are high, but are more flexible than for other disciplines, such as engineering. The APGO does not have a policy of accrediting university degree programs; it assesses knowledge based on the courses completed and the standard of those courses.
To apply to the APGO for the licensing/registration process, you will be required to arrange for your university to send directly to the APGO a certified copy of your full academic transcript(s), including a list of courses completed and marks achieved. The APGO website includes a form for you to use to send to your university when requesting a transcript.
You are also asked to submit a detailed description of each course taken as well as the full address of the educational and professional institutions relevant to your geoscience qualifications.
If your university sends documents to the APGO which are not in English, a copy will be forwarded to you with a request to provide an English translation at your cost. This translation must be certified by either a translator who is a member of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario or by a professional geoscientist, or an equivalent who has competent knowledge of both the other language and English.
The APGO will review the content of knowledge credentials of an applicant who does not hold an undergraduate science degree from a Canadian university, or who holds a degree from an international university not familiar to the Registration Committee, to determine if the minimum requirements for admission to professional practice have been met. This review of knowledge and credentials will normally take about two months after all documents have been received.
Sometimes the Registration Committee is not familiar enough with a university to be able to do a fair assessment of an applicant’s transcript. In this case, the applicant is asked to purchase the services of an independent evaluation service. The resulting assessment is sent to both the APGO and the applicant.
If your academic qualifications are not accepted by the APGO as equivalent, the APGO may assign you either technical or confirmatory examinations. These examinations are set to
- give you an opportunity to confirm the equivalency of your degree, or
- help you remedy identified deficiencies in your academic qualifications.
If you would like to take a university course(s) instead of the assigned specific examination program, you must receive prior approval from the Registration Committee.
You may not be required to write examinations if you
- have successfully completed a four-year undergraduate degree in geoscience (or possess an equivalent or acceptable credential) outside of Canada, which fulfills the stipulated requirements as determined by the Registration Committee,
- have successfully completed postgraduate studies in geoscience at a Canadian university, or
- are an experienced practitioner with 120 months (10 years) or more of qualifying work experience, obtained in the last 15 years, as determined by the Registration Committee.
If you do not have the minimum academic requirements, the APGO will advise you that you may not be able to qualify to work as a professional geoscientist in Ontario.
Component 3 - Qualifying work experience
The APGO will assess your work experience in geoscience, as presented in your application, against the following five qualifying criteria that are outlined in the Registration Regulation:
- practical experience in the application of geoscience theory;
- practical experience in the understanding of geoscience processes and systems;
- management of geoscience projects;
- communication skills; and
- awareness of societal implications of geoscience.
You are required to demonstrate at least 48 months of verifiable and acceptable work experience within the last 10 years. You may be granted up to 12 months credit for geoscience work experience gained prior to receiving a B.Sc. degree, up to 12 months additional credit for geoscience work experience gained while completing your M.Sc. program (with thesis) and a further 12 months credit for geoscience work experience gained while completing your Ph.D.
You must confirm that at least 12 months of the work experience have been obtained in Canada or in an equivalent work environment satisfactory to the Registration Committee.
Component 4 – National Professional Practice and Ethics Examination (PPE)
You must write and pass the National Professional Practice and Ethics (PPE) Examination within two years of filing an application and prior to being issued a licence. The APGO participates with nine other Canadian provinces in having all applicants sit and pass the PPE Examination. The PPE Examination is a general examination which covers ethics, professional practice, business law, professional liability and responsibilities to the public. The three-hour examination comprises 120 multiple-choice questions and a short essay. One hundred questions are standard across Canada and the remaining 20 questions are based on provincial contexts, in this case Ontario. The exam is available in both English and French.
The PPE examination is scheduled four times a year, in January, April, July and November. You must send in your application to write the exam at least 60 days before the exam date you prefer. Information on the PPE exam and suggested textbooks and study material is posted on the APGO website. Please consult http://www.apgo.net/membership/ppe/index.html.
Once your application to write the PPE Examination has been accepted, you will be advised of the nearest examination location, along with the date and time. Arrangements can be made to sit the exam anywhere, including overseas locations requested by the candidate.
The passing grade is 65%. If you do not pass the PPE Examination, you will be permitted to rewrite it.
Component 5 - Language proficiency assessment
A reasonable level of fluency in spoken and written English or French is expected of those people applying for their professional licence. In the application package there is a form on which you will be asked to declare your level of fluency in English and/or French. The PPE examination will also include an assessment of your language skills.
Appeal of Decisions
The applicant or member, as the case may be, may appeal a decision of the Registration Committee. There are two levels of appeal: to a special committee of APGO Council and to divisional court.
Geoscientist-in-Training Program
- You may be eligible to be included in the APGO's Geoscientist-in-Training (GIT) Program if you have an acceptable degree in geoscience and meet all the knowledge requirements for registration but you do not have the required 48 months of qualified work experience in geoscience, or
- you have not obtained the minimum 12 months of relevant Canadian, or equivalent, work experience in geoscience.
The APGO’s GIT Program
- helps you demonstrate to employers your commitment to becoming registered as a professional geoscientist in Ontario;
- helps you ensure you are receiving relevant experience in geoscience required to later become a licensed Practising member;
- may help you obtain initial employment as you may register as a GIT without being currently employed in geoscience;
- provides you with mentoring opportunities;
- entitles you to receive AGPO publications and other information such as password-protected sections of the APGO website, and
- encourages you to become involved in the profession and to participate in the APGO’s programs, functions and insurance plans.
There is an application fee, and successful applicants for the GIT program will be invoiced separately for annual membership dues.
For additional information on the GIT program, please consult www.apgo.net/memberhip/git.html.
Labour Market Information
The labour market for professional geoscientists in Ontario varies according to your area of practice and the industries in which you wish to work. In general, professional geoscientists are expected to continue to be in demand in Ontario's globally competitive, knowledge-based economy.
Geoscience is a global profession with Ontario geoscientists operating locally, nationally and internationally. Overall, employment prospects appear to be good as the world population increases and the global requirements for minerals, fuels and fresh water continues to rise. A desire for an improved environment and for greater public safety has led to an increased demand for geoscientists trained in the evaluation of natural hazards, rehabilitation of disturbed land, the safe disposal of hazardous wastes, and in remote sensing and land use planning.
Job titles
Geoscience has been formally regulated fairly recently and many people do not understand what a geoscientist may do. The APGO considers the following examples of job titles to represent to the public that an individual is offering or providing professional geoscience services:
Geoscientist
Geologist
Geomorphologist
Geophysicist
Geochemist
Earth Scientist
Hydrogeologist
Environmental Geologist
Environmental Geoscientist
Vice President, Director or Manager of Exploration
Unemployment levels for professional geoscientists in Ontario are low, at present, relative to the unemployment rate as a whole. However, the need for geoscientists can be cyclical and varies with world demand for metals, materials and fuels. The job market is competitive and good jobs are not easy to find. Average earnings in geoscience are higher than the provincial average for most occupations. Professional geoscienstists licensed in Ontario are expected to take part in the APGO’s program of Continuing Professional Development, which continuously monitors the updating of their knowledge and technical skills. In many employment settings, professional geoscientiststs must also demonstrate management and leadership skills, and the ability to work effectively in teams.
Geoscience is an international profession and many geoscientists trained in Canada have worked overseas. Many geoscientists licensed in the different provinces of Canada have obtained their original training overseas. Internationally trained geoscientists will find that their knowledge and experience are readily recognized, provided they are equivalent.
Note that some internationally trained geoscientists may have difficulty finding initial employment in their field in Ontario. This can be caused by various factors, including
- lack of acceptance for full licensure in Ontario at the outset;
- lack of good English (or in some areas of Ontario, French) language communication skills;
- unfamiliarity with Canadian work practices; or
- lack of contacts and networking opportunities in geoscience.
If you plan to emigrate to Canada and work in geoscience, it is important to prepare early by becoming familiar with job-search techniques, conducting research on the industries and companies in which you are interested, and improving and documenting your skills and knowledge. Apply for your licence to practice geoscience before you emigrate or as soon as possible after you arrive. There are sources of information listed in the contacts section of this career map to help you do this.
Key Industries for Geoscientists in Ontario
As mentioned in the introduction to this career map, there are a number of general industries in Canada that employ geoscientists. These include, but are not limited to
- mining and mineral exploration,
- oil and natural gas exploration and development,
- coal exploration and coal mining,
- geological mapping and government services,
- water resource exploration, utilization management and protection,
- land use and site investigation work,
- remediation of contaminated sites,
- industrial minerals – e.g. sand and gravel, dimension stone and construction materials, and
- geological hazards assessment and risks assessment.
For more information on labour market conditions, see Ontario Job Futures at www.ontariojobfutures.net, the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRDC) website (www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/home.shtml ) or www.labourmarketinformation.ca) or the Independent Learning Centre website (www.ilc.org). In Ontario, this information is also available in the Ontario Job Futures binder at public libraries or at HRDC Employment Resource Centres in your community.
Fees and Costs (in Canadian Dollars)
The following is a general indication of costs that will be incurred to obtain licensure. (Please note that the fees quoted below are general and may be subject to change. For full details on all current APGO fees and rates please check our website at www.apgo.net).
| Application Fee (Practising Member) | C$275 |
| Application Fee (Geoscientist-in-Training) | C$100 |
| Technical Exam Fee | C$175 |
| PPE Exam Fee | C$175 |
| Annual Membership Dues (Practising Member)* | C$400 |
| Annual Temporary Membership | C$400 |
| Annual Membership Dues (Geoscientist-in-Training) | C$140 |
Prices are subject to change without notice.
* The APGO does have a dues relief policy for members who are unemployed and not practising professional geoscience, and who apply to the association in writing requesting relief. Such requests must be justified and are issued at the discretion of the Association.
For More Information
For more information on how to become a licensed geoscientist in Ontario, contact
Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario
67 Yonge Street, Suite 1500
Toronto , ON M5E 1J8
Telephone: (416) 203-2746
Fax: (416) 203-6181
Email: info@apgo.net
Website: www.apgo.net
For more information on the registration of the profession of geoscience in Canada, contact
Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists
Suite 2200 , Scotia Centre
700 – 2 Street SW
Calgary , AB T2P 2W1
Telephone: (403) 232-8511
Fax: (403) 269-2787
Email: contact@ccpg.ca
Website: www.ccpg.ca
Canadian Geoscience Council
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Waterloo
Waterloo , ON N2L 3G1
Telephone: (519) 888-4567
Fax: (519) 746-0183
Website: www.geoscience.ca
The following are institutions and associations in Canada which are involved in geoscience.
Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
CIM National Office (Montreal)
Suite 1210, 3400 de Maisonneuve Blvd W.
Montreal , QC H3Z 3B8
Telephone: (514) 939-2710
Fax: (514) 939-2714
Email: cim@cim.org
Website: www.cim.org
Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists
#160, 540-Fifth Avenue S.W.
Calgary , AB T2P 0M2
Telephone: (403) 264-5610
Fax: (403) 264-5898
Website: www.cspg.org
International Association of Hydrogeology Ontario Chapter
Website: www.iah.org/chapters.htm
KEGS – Canadian Exploration Geophysical Society
5863 Leslie Street, Suite 517
Willowdale , ON M2H 1J8
Website: www.kegsonline.org
Ontario Ground Water Association
48 Front Street East
Strathroy , ON N7G 1Y6
Telephone: (519) 245-7194
Fax: (519) 245-7196
Email: OGWA
Website: www.ogwa.ca
Ontario Mining Association
The Atrium on Bay
40 Dundas Street West, Suite 300
Toronto , ON M5G 2C2
Telephone: (416) 364-9301
Fax: (416) 364-5986
Website: www.oma.on.ca
Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
34 King Street East, Suite 900
Toronto , ON M5C 2X8
Telephone: (416) 362-1969
Fax: (416) 362-0101
Email: info@pdac.ca
Website: www.pdac.ca
For a listing of geoscience departments in Canadian universities, see
www.geoscience.ca/schools.html
For a listing of Ontario geological departments, see
www.library.utoronto.ca/earth/Geodepts.htm
For information on credential assessment, contact
World Education Services
45 Charles Street East, Suite 700
Toronto, ON M4Y 1S2
Telephone: (416) 972-0070
Toll-free phone: 1-866-343-0070
Fax: (416) 972-9004
Email: canada@wes.org
Website: www.wes.org/ca/
For information on finding certified translators, contact
Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO)
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 1202
Ottawa , ON K1N 7B7
Tel: (613) 241-2846
Fax: (613) 241-4098
Toll-free: 1-800-234-5030
Email: info@atio.on.ca
Website: www.atio.on.ca
For information on where to get help once you arrive in Ontario, contact Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) For information on settling in Ontario, visit www.settlement.org.
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For information on access to employment for internationally trained professionals and trades people in Ontario, contact Government of Ontario
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Copyright in this career map is held jointly by the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario © 2005.
LICENSING/admission process
The process for considering applications is no different for a Canadian-trained applicant and an internationally trained applicant. All files follow the same path; however, on occasions it may be necessary to seek more information about the university credentials of the internationally trained applicant because of a lack of familiarity of a particular degree program and its equivalency to recognized programs in Canada.
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