Practice Notices

APEGA licensed professionals and permit holders must ensure they stay informed and up to date with all regulatory requirements and professional obligations. Please be aware of the following notices related to professional practice.

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Translation of Engineering and Geoscience Professional Work Products Into Another Language

APEGA understands that a licensed professional may be required to provide engineering and geoscience professional work products (PWPs) in a language other than their primary working language. When a licensed professional provides a translated PWP, the original and the translated PWP must each be authenticated in accordance with the requirements of APEGA’s Authenticating Professional Work Products practice standard.

Licensed professional fluent in both languages

Translation errors or misinterpretations can become practice errors, which could pose a serious risk to public safety. An APEGA licensed professional may authenticate a translated PWP only if they are fluent in the target language and can verify that the translated PWP is identical in meaning to the original. In authenticating a translated PWP, a licensed professional accepts the same professional responsibility for the translated PWP as they do for the original.

If the licensed professional did not translate the PWP themselves, they must only authenticate the translation if they have thoroughly reviewed the translation or if it was completed under their direct supervision and control, in accordance with the Authenticating Professional Work Products practice standard.

If a licensed professional is unable to verify that a translated PWP is identical in meaning to the original, they must not authenticate it.

Outsourcing translation to another licensed professional

Rule 2 of the Code of Ethics states that a licensed professional “shall undertake only work that they are competent to perform by virtue of their training and experience.” Therefore, if an authenticating licensed professional needs to translate a PWP to a language they are not fluent in, they must engage another licensed professional who is both fluent in the target language and competent in the relevant area of practice. The licensed professional who translates the PWP would then authenticate it, taking professional responsibility for the translated PWP. Engaging a licensed professional to translate and authenticate a PWP is considered outsourcing and must be done in accordance with the Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing practice standard

Translation by a non-licensed professional

If someone who is not a licensed professional translates a PWP, the translation is not considered a properly authenticated PWP and must not be relied upon.

Withdrawn Practice Standards

Withdrawn on March 25, 2021, following a 60-day public consultation period that ended on June 30, 2020. Notice of the proposed withdrawal was posted on this website, sent to all licensed professionals in a regulatory email, and promoted in the ePEG newsletter encouraging registrants to provide feedback. A total of two comments were received, and the Practice Review Board reviewed them and recommended to Council to withdraw the practice standard.
The key reasons for this decision are:
The fundamental principles of Code of Ethics and professionalism are covered under two current guidelines: Ethical Practice and Professional Practice.
The requirements for authenticating professional work products is covered under the practice standard Authenticating Professional Work Products.
This practice standard does not provide additional technical guidance beyond what is provided in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation (COGE) Handbook.
Additional guidance on the specific subject of evaluation of oil and gas reserves for public disclosure is not necessary nor aligns with APEGA’s strategic direction on the development and maintenance of professional practice standards.
Licensed professionals must refer to the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation (COGE) Handbook, published by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE), for technical evaluations. When working for a publicly listed or a not-listed company, registrants are obligated to follow all applicable acts, regulations, standards, and codes.
Use the Following Publications Instead:
Ethical Practice Guideline (PDF)
Professional Practice Guideline (PDF)
Authenticating Professional Work Products Standard (PDF)
SPEE's Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (COGEH)
Withdrawn on March 25, 2021, following a 60-day public consultation period that ended on November 30, 2020. Notice of the proposed withdrawal was posted on this website, sent to all licensed professionals in a regulatory email, and promoted in the ePEG newsletter encouraging registrants to provide feedback. A total of four comments were received and the Practice Review Board reviewed them and recommended to Council to withdraw the practice standard.
The key reasons for this decision are:
The fundamental principles of Code of Ethics and professionalism are covered under two current guidelines: Ethical Practice and Professional Practice.
The requirements for authenticating professional work products is covered under the practice standard Authenticating Professional Work Products.
These publications broadly apply to both engineering and geoscience professions, therefore, additional guidance on the specific subject of quality inspection of geophysical data is not necessary nor aligns with APEGA’s strategic direction on the development and maintenance of professional practice standards.
What should or should not be considered by licensed professionals while conducting a quality inspection of geophysical data?
The quality inspection (QI) of geophysical data may include:
a review of parameters on section side labels, SEGY trace headers, or on broker information sheets
quality parameters such as signal-to-noise, frequency, continuity
brief comparisons of other lines included in the QI with different recording parameters
positions of the ends and bends on the seismic lines
measuring and locating gaps or areas of poor quality in the data
The following should not be part of a QI, and engaging in any of these activities may lead to an investigation of unprofessional conduct:
intentional interpretation or opinions provided for business purposes before a license is confirmed.
QI notes made by the prospective licensee containing specific interpretation or interpretive opinions
quantitative measurements such as specific shot point and station coordinates or locations, except ends and bends as noted above.
measuring reflection time, using dividers, and comparing QI data to a synthetic seismogram or an interpreted seismic section
making copies of any portion of the data
requests for any data to be removed from the direct physical control of the licensor or broker
Use the Following Publications Instead:
Ethical Practice Guideline (PDF)
Professional Practice Guideline (PDF)
Authenticating Professional Work Products Standard (PDF)

Withdrawn Practice Guidelines

Withdrawn July 31, 2022. This practice guideline was withdrawn as this subject is addressed in the Ethical Practice guideline.
Withdrawn March 25, 2021. Replaced by the practice standard Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing. Licensed professionals must refer to the practice standard and incorporate its requirements into their practice and their PPMP.
Withdrawn March 25, 2021. Replaced by the practice standard Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing. Licensed professionals must refer to the practice standard and incorporate its requirements into their practice and their PPMP.
Withdrawn January 31, 2019. This practice guideline was withdrawn because this topic is now addressed in other legislation, such as the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Withdrawn April 30, 2022. Replaced by the practice standard Professional Practice Management Plan. Permit holders and licensed professionals must refer to the practice standard and incorporate its requirements into their PPMP.
Withdrawn March 25, 2021. Replaced by the practice standard Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing. Licensed professionals must refer to the practice standard and incorporate its requirements into their practice and their PPMP.
Withdrawn August 3, 2023, following a 70-day public consultation period that ended on January 31, 2023. The Practice Review Board reviewed the comments and proceeded to withdraw the practice guideline. Licensed professionals must refer to the relevant practice standards and guidelines to meet their professional obligations.
The key reasons for this decision are:
- The purpose of the National Building Code (Alberta Edition) [NBC (AE)] Schedules is to track the legislated responsibilities of licensed professionals involved in building projects, and the NBC(AE) Schedules User Guide is intended to help licensed professionals meet their obligations under the Safety Codes Act and the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act.
- Licensed professionals must refer to and meet the requirements of the following practice standards: Authenticating Professional Work Products, Professional Practice Management Plan, and Relying on the Work of Others and Outsourcing.
- Additional guidance can be found in the following practice guidelines: Field Reviews of Engineering and Geoscience Work, Management of Risk in Professional Practice, and Selecting Engineering and Geoscience Consultants.