Practice Standards, Bulletins, and Guidelines

APEGA publishes practice standards, bulletins, and guidelines under the mandate of the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act and General Regulation. These publications are intended to protect the public interest and to outline requirements and recommended best practices for APEGA licensed professionals.

Visit the APEGA Dictionary for common terminology, abbreviations, and the defined terms found in practice standards, bulletins, and guidelines.

Practice Standard: A professional practice standard sets the minimum standard of practice permit holders and licensed professionals must meet. It is the standard against which a permit holder’s or licensed professional’s practice and conduct will be assessed by APEGA’s statutory boards.
Practice Bulletin: A professional practice bulletin provides clarity on a specific subject related to professional practice. Bulletins remain in force until a practice standard or guideline on the subject is developed or revised, or until the practice bulletin is repealed.
Practice Guideline: A professional practice guideline provides professional practice advice and best practice recommendations to help permit holders and licensed professionals meet their professional obligations. APEGA statutory boards may assess a permit holder’s or licensed professional’s practice and conduct against practice guidelines.

Practice Standards Practice Bulletins Practice Guidelines Joint Practice Information

Publication updates

Proposed Guideline Withdrawals | Feedback Period Closed

APEGA is proposing to withdraw three practice guidelines: Concepts of Professionalism, Guideline for Professional Practice, and Guideline of Considerations for Establishing a Consulting Practice. Registrants and the public had the opportunity to submit feedback on the proposed withdrawals from May 1-July 15, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed before a decision is made.

Administrative Revisions | Clarifying Authentication Requirements for Drilling and Completions

The Practice Review Board has approved the administrative revision of the Clarifying Authentication Requirements for Drilling and Completions practice bulletin, which is in effect as of April 1, 2025. The enforcement date remains July 1, 2021, when initially published. The revisions further clarify what is expected for professional work products created by the upstream oil and gas industry focused on drilling and completions activities.

Under Revision | Continuing Professional Development

The Continuing Professional Development practice standard that details the requirements licensed professionals must meet to maintain their competence is currently being revised. The newly drafted Personal Annual Competency Evaluation practice guideline provides guidance and recommended best practices for meeting these requirements. To read more about the upcoming changes, visit the Continuing Professional Development webpage.

Under Revision | Guideline for Professional Member as a Witness
The Guideline for Professional Member as a Witness is currently under revision and has been retitled to Licensed Professional as an Expert Witness. The deadline to review and submit feedback on the revised draft was February 14, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed before the draft guideline is finalized and published. Learn more about the revision.
Administrative Revisions | Authenticating Professional Work Products
The Practice Review Board has approved the administrative revision of the Authenticating Professional Work Products practice standard, which is in effect as of November 1, 2024. The revisions clarify what is expected of licensed professionals when they authenticate and validate professional work products. The enforcement date remains November 1, 2020. Read more on the Authenticating Professional Work Products webpage.
Update on Practice Standards, Bulletins, and Guidelines
The AAA and APEGA joint practice bulletin Functional Relationships for the Building Envelope Portion of Projects has been administratively revised to reflect the updated National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE)). This revision takes effect May 1, 2024, however, the joint bulletin has been enforceable as of July 1, 2023.
The AAA APEGA National Building Code (Alberta Edition) Schedules User Guide has been revised and published May 1, 2024, to reflect the updated National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE)).

APEGA registrants must stay informed and up to date with all legislative and regulatory requirements, as well as uphold their professional and ethical obligations and responsibilities. For more information, review the following publications.

For information about notices related to professional practice or recently withdrawn publications, visit the following web pages.