Work Experience Requirements for Licensees & Professional Members
As of April 11, 2026, all professional geoscientist applicants are required to use the competency-based assessment (CBA) process when applying to APEGA. Read more about this change.
If you started your application before April 11 and have questions about the previous process, please contact [email protected].
If you are applying for licensure as a professional engineer or geoscientist in Alberta, you must have a minimum of 48 months of work experience before starting your application. The APEGA Board of Examiners (BOE) emphasizes skills and competencies such as:
- the ability to apply engineering or geoscience principles
- demonstrated technical ability
The BOE will consider increased technical competency and increasing levels of responsibility when evaluating your experience.
When completing the experience portion of an application, clearly state and explain your personal contributions for each example provided. A detailed and accurate description of your work scenarios is required for comprehensive review. The BOE makes the final application decisions.
Engineering Work Experience
If you are applying for your professional engineering designation, you will submit a Work Record Validator List to detail your engineering work experience. This is your opportunity to describe your application of technical theory and practice experience during your career.
APEGA also uses a competency-based assessment (CBA) for professional engineer applications. This enables you to demonstrate how you qualify for licensure by using specific examples from your work history to show that you meet the 22 key competencies required for licensure.
For engineering applications, the CBA is currently only available for the professional engineer and licensee designations.
Download the CBA Guide for Professional Engineering Applicants
Geoscience Work Experience
If you are applying for your professional geoscientist designation, you will submit a Work Experience Record to detail your geoscience work experience. This is your opportunity to describe your application of technical theory and practice experience during your career.
APEGA also uses a competency-based assessment for professional geoscientist applications. This enables you to demonstrate how you qualify for licensure by using specific examples from your work history to show that you meet the 29 key competencies required for licensure.
Download the CBA Guide for Professional Geoscience Applicants
APEGA adheres to Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act in the collection, disclosure, and use of personal information. As the applicant, it is your responsibility to complete all components of the application yourself. APEGA does not accept third-party submissions and will answer questions about an application only from the applicant.