WELCOME
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MEMBERSHIP faqs
This is a list of frequently asked questions and corresponding answers. Please read this topic carefully before asking any questions.
Q. I have retired from active practice, what are my options?
APEGA has a category for members who are fully retired from the practice and have been with APEGA for 25 years or a combination of 25 years including other Canadian associations with the last 10 years with APEGA. This category is referred to as life membership.
To apply for life membership, simply check off the life member option on the back of your invoice, sign and date the bottom of the invoice as well as the non-practicing declaration on the back of your continuing professional development form. Return the entire invoice and the declaration to APEGA with payment of 25 per cent of your annual dues.
Q. What if I am not eligible for life membership?
If you are not eligible for life membership, you can submit a non-practicing declaration. You would still able to use your designation, receive The PEG, and have access to all of the same member benefits that practicing members have. You would continue to pay full annual dues.
If you do not wish to continue to pay annual dues, you will need to send a letter via:
Mail:
Membership Coordinator
APEGA
1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper Ave NW
Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4A2
Q. I’m currently a life member and would like to return to active practice.
An individual can apply to resume practice by submitting an Application for Permission to Resume Practice form.
Once the application to resume practice is approved, you will be invoiced for the remainder of the professional member dues for the year. Once the invoice has been paid, your membership will be changed back to an active professional member with APEGA.
Q. I’m currently on maternity leave, what are my options?
You can apply for the dues deferment program by checking off the unemployment/maternity leave option on the back of the invoice. Return the entire invoice to APEGA with payment of 25 per cent of your annual dues.
Note: Examinees, students and licensees are not eligible for this program.
Q. I’m a full time student, what are my options?
You need to advise APEGA of the program you are taking. The program must be full-time and in engineering, geology, geophysics, science, business or an undergraduate program in education. You can apply for the dues deferment program by checking the student option on the back of the invoice, including the university and program. Return the entire invoice with payment of 25 per cent of your annual dues.
Q. I’m currently on disability, what are my options?
You can apply for the dues deferment program by checking off the disability option on the back of the invoice. The invoice, a doctor’s note and payment of 25 per cent of your annual dues will be required.
Q. I’m currently on the dues deferment program and am unable to meet the full continuing professional development requirements, what are my options?
If you are unable to meet the continuing professional development requirements you have two options:
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Apply for special consideration to reduce continuing professional development requirements by submitting an Annual Request for Special Consideration form
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Declare yourself as non-practicing by submitting an Annual Non Practicing Declaration
Applying for special consideration will reduce the annual continuing professional development requirement to 30 professional development hours. Normally this is 240 hours over three years (approximately 80 per year).
If you are unemployed or on maternity leave, your best option is to apply for special consideration. If you declare yourself non-practicing, you will need to apply to resume practice before you can return to work
For more information, please contact Reina Ainsworthby e-mail rainsworth@apega.ca.
Q. Can I pay for the dues deferment program online or over the phone?
No, APEGA requires the complete paperwork for your file. Please send the entire invoice and payment by mail to:
APEGA
1500 Scotia One 10060 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 4A2
If you have a credit card you may fax in your request to (780) 426-1877; please fax both sides of the invoice.
Q. I was on dues deferment and have now returned to work. What do I need to do?
You need to pay the remainder of your dues. You can do this over the phone by calling (780) 426-3990, by fax at (780) 426-1877 or by mail in payment to
APEGA
1500 Scotia one 10060 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 4A2.
You also have the option of paying through the online member self service centre by visiting www.apega.ca and clicking on the “Member Self-Service Centre” link under the Fast Find section.
Payment through the Member Self-Service Centre also allows you to update your information at the time of payment.
Q. I just received my invoice and it has a balance forward on it. Why is this balance forward so much?
This is likely due to the fact you were on dues deferment program. This is simply a deferral of the dues payable not a reduction; therefore, 75 per cent of your dues were deferred from the last year to your next invoice period or until you go back to work. If you are still unemployed or are a full time student, you would simply apply for the program again and continue to pay 25 per cent of the annual dues and the balance forward will be waived.
Another situation in which you might have a balance forward is if you were an examinee/student or member-in-training with APEGA and have recently received your licensee or professional membership. If you did not pay your previous dues, then these dues will appear as a balance forward. Your professional member dues will be prorated based upon the dues you have already been invoiced for.
Q. I have submitted a non-practicing declaration, but I continue to receive invoices for membership dues. Why?
Non-practicing members pay the same annual dues as a practicing member. The non-practicing declaration is only related to your practicing status. If you would like to maintain membership with APEGA you are still required to pay annual dues. Some members may be under the impression that by submitting a non-practicing declaration, this cancels your membership as well. This is not the case. If a member would like to cancel their membership this must be done in writing.
Q. I used to be a Member-In-Training (M.I.T.) with APEGA and I would like to reinstate my M.I.T. status.
If you were enrolled less than four years ago you can apply for reinstatement by submitting a Member-In-Training Request for Reinstatement form.
If you were originally enrolled four or more years ago and have gained four years of experience in work of an engineering, geological or geophysical nature that is acceptable to the Board of Examiners then you should apply for professional membership.
If you have been an M.I.T. for a total of eight years you are unable to reinstate your M.I.T. status with APEGA as “no person may remain in the record of members-in-training for more than six years which can be extended to no more than eight years” (Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act, Regulations and By-Laws).
Q. I was a professional member with APEGA and I would like to reinstate my membership.
Reinstatement is available to all members who may have cancelled their membership less than seven years ago by submitting an Application for Reinstatement of Registration (http://www.apega.ca/Regulatory/pdf/CPD/ReinstatementApplication.pdf) form.
The reinstate option is not available to members who cancelled their membership more than seven years ago. These individuals must reapply to APEGA.
Q. I was an examinee/student with APEGA and would like to reinstate my examinee/student status.
If it has been less than seven years please contact the technical exams coordinator with APEGA for more information. If it has been over seven years your file has been destroyed and you will need to re-apply again.
Q. I have recently changed my name. What do I need to do?
To inform APEGA of a name change, simply submit a Name Change Request form.
You will also need to submit a copy of the legal name change certificate, or a copy of a marriage certificate. The only exception to this is if you have previously changed your name with APEGA and would like it to be changed back to the original name.
Note: Driver’s licenses and passports are not considered acceptable documentation for a name change.
Q. My name is currently incorrect and I would like to correct it, how do I go about doing this?
If you would like to change your first or middle preferred names, you are able to do so. Your preferred last name must always match your legal last name.
To inform APEGA of a name change, simply submit a Name Change Request form.
Q. I would like to change my legal name. How would I do this?
You would supply APEGA with a copy of your legal name change.
To inform APEGA of a name change, simply submit a Name Change Request form.
Q. I am no longer living and working in Alberta or still living in Alberta but not practicing. What are my options?
There are two options available to you. You can either continue paying your dues and complying with the continuing professional development program or you can voluntarily cancel your membership with APEGA.
Should you choose to cancel your membership you will need to complete the Voluntary Cancellation of Membership form.
If you are a member-in-training (M.I.T.) moving out of the province or country, you can only be an M.I.T. with APEGA for six years which can be extended to eight years. If you do not intend on applying for professional membership with APEGA while outside of Alberta it may not be worthwhile continuing paying annual dues, only to have your M.I.T. status expire at a later date.
Q. I am currently working in another province and I would like to transfer my membership to that other province. How do I do this?
You must contact your next provincial association regarding the application process. Your membership must be active and in good standing with APEGA in order to transfer membership.
If you do not wish to retain membership in APEGA then you must submit Voluntary Cancellation of Membership form once you become registered in the other province.
Q. My husband/wife/friend was a member of APEGA and has passed away, is there anything I need to do other than inform APEGA?
No. Please use one of the following methods to inform APEGA.
Phone: 780-426-3990, toll free 1-800-661-7020
If you know the individual’s member number please provide this information.
Q. I have not received my membership certificate, how long does it take?
It currently takes three to four months to receive the membership certificate. If you have not received your membership certificate after four months please contact Christine Burey at cburey@apega.ca.
Note: Please include all relevant information, including membership number.
Q. I would like a new certificate ordered in my preferred name, how would I go about getting this?
All membership certificates must be issued in your legal name. All other correspondence from APEGA will be in your preferred name. Each member is allowed only one membership certificate.
Q. What are the benefits to maintaining my membership?
If you are a practicing member you must continue your membership with APEGA in order to practice your profession in Alberta.
If you are non-practicing member, you are still able to use your designation and will continue to receive The PEG and you also have access to all of the same member benefits that practicing members have, including insurance programs, hotel discounts, and more.
These benefits can be found on the APEGA website under Benefits.
Q. I would like to order a new stamp. How would I do this?
You can obtain an order form from our website. This can be completed and returned by e-mail, fax or post to the attention of Rhiannon Schaaf. APEGA does not accept stamp orders over the phone.