Application FAQs
Frequently asked questions about applying for membership in the ACPBC
Questions about:
- educational qualifications B.Sc.
- educational qualifications Chemical Technology diploma
- work experience
- applicants with education or work experience from outside Canada
- classes of membership and transfers
- application process
1.0 Educational qualifications (within Canada). The minimum educational requirement for registration as a Professional Chemist or Chemist in Training is a four-year BSc in Chemistry normally consisting of at least sixteen courses of one-term duration each (lectures plus associated laboratory work) which covers a range and depth of chemical disciplines. A degree program accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry fulfills this requirement. You will be asked to provide details of your degree program as part of the online application process. If your degree is from outside Canada you must submit an evaluation of this international credential from ICES or an equivalent credential certification agency.
1.1 I have a Chemistry B.Sc. degree. Do I need to send a copy of my diploma or transcripts?
Yes. As part of the online application, you need to upload documents to show you have been granted a B.Sc. in Chemistry, from a Canadian university, Frequently the diploma does not say “Chemistry” so transcripts giving the subject area of the degree are essential.
1.2 I have a B.Sc. degree in (Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Materials Science, ….) and I did a lot of chemistry courses as part of that degree. Do I qualify as a chemist?
Maybe. It depends on the courses you took as documented in your transcripts. The core issue is that registration as a professional chemist requires breadth (courses across the full range of the sub-disciplines of chemistry), and depth (introductory and advanced courses in a particular area) in a chemistry education. You will need to fulfill this requirement regardless of what your degree is called.
1.3 My B.Sc. degree was not in chemistry but I have been working as a chemist for some time and I have been learning on the job. Can I use this work experience as equivalent to formal course credit?
Maybe. It depends on the nature of the additional training you received, the qualifications of the persons providing this on-the-job training, and the extent to which this can be documented. Please contact the Registrar for specific details that will apply in your case.
1.4 I graduated sometime in the last century. Do I really need to dig out my diploma?
Yes. Or find some other mechanism to document your educational qualification. You must provide confirming documentation.
2.0 Educational requirements – Chemical Technology
The minimum educational requirement for registration as Registered Technologist in Chemistry or Professional Technologist in Chemistry is a two-year diploma in Chemical Technology normally consisting of eight one-term courses in chemical technology. A program in Chemical Technology accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board fulfills this requirement. You will be asked to provide details of your diploma program as part of the online application process.
2.1 I have a Chemical Technology diploma. Do I need to send a copy of my diploma or transcripts?
Yes. As part of the online application, you need to submit documents to show you have the diploma qualifications. Frequently the diploma does not say “Chemical Technology” so transcripts giving the subject area of the program are essential.
2.2 I have a technology diploma in (Chemical Processes, Environmental Technology, ….) and I did a lot of chemistry courses as part of that program. Do I qualify as a chemical technologist?
Maybe. It depends on the courses you took as documented in your transcripts. The core issue is that registration as a chemical technologist requires breadth (courses across the full range of the sub-disciplines of chemistry), and depth (introductory and advanced courses in a particular area) in a chemistry education. You will need to fulfill this requirement regardless of what your diploma is called.
2.3 My educational qualification was not in chemical technology but I have been working as a chemist for some time and I have been learning on the job. Can I use this work experience as equivalent to formal course credit?
Maybe. It depends on the nature of the additional training you received, the qualifications of the persons providing this on-the-job training, and the extent to which this can be documented. Please contact the Registrar for specific details that will apply in your case.
2.4 I graduated many years ago. Do I really need to dig out my diploma?
Yes. Or find some other mechanism to document your educational qualification.
You must provide confirming documentation.
Applicants for Professional Chemist registration must have completed at least four years post-degree full-time work as a chemist. Applicants for Chemist in Training must be currently employed as a chemist with less than four years full-time work as chemist at the time of application. Applicants for Registered Technologist in Chemistry must have two years post-diploma experience. Applicants for Professional Technologist in Chemistry must have seven years post-diploma experience. Although we consider past work experience from outside BC, we only register those currently working in chemistry in BC.
3.1 How do I document my work experience?
The work experience portion of your resumé or curriculum vitae, or a detailed description of your chemical work experience, is required. The Membership and Registration committee is particularly focused on the chemistry content of your current and past employment. Please ensure that this aspect is completely described. You will be asked to provide employment details as part of the online application process. These include employer contact information with street address and telephone number, nature of the position, and specific start and end dates of employment.
It depends. If you were registered as a Chemist in Training or were not a member of the ACPBC during the time you were a graduate student, then this period will count towards the four years of post-BSc experience required for Professional Chemist registration. We recognize up to one year of work experience for a completed M.Sc. and up to two years for a Ph.D. or M.Sc. plus Ph.D.
If you were a Student member of the ACPBC during the time you were a graduate student then the period of graduate studies does not count towards work experience.
3.2 Does a period of graduate studies in chemistry count as post-BSc work experience?
It depends. If you were registered as a Chemist in Training or were not a member of the ACPBC during the time you were a graduate student, then this period will count towards the four years of post-BSc experience required for Professional Chemist registration. We recognize up to one year of work experience for a completed M.Sc. and up to two years for a Ph.D. or M.Sc. plus Ph.D.
If you were a Student member of the ACPBC during the time you were a graduate student then the period of graduate studies does not count towards work experience.
3.3 I have several terms of Co-op and summer work experience as part of my degree. Does this count towards work experience for P.Chem.?
No. Work you did as an undergraduate before you completed your BSc is part of the primary educational qualification. The “work experience clock” resets to zero when you get your B.Sc.
3.4 I have been working part-time. How do I count this experience?
Work experience can be pro-rated according to the fraction of full-time you actually worked. Four years of half-time is equivalent to two years of full time.
3.5 My work experience is outside BC/Canada. Does this count?
Yes – provided you document the chemistry nature of your work.
4.0 Applicants with degrees or work experience outside Canada
4.1 I worked as a chemist outside Canada, and I am now employed in BC. Can I apply for registration as a Professional Chemist?
Yes – but you will need to satisfy all the requirements. This may require that your primary degree be certified by a degree certification agency, your work experience outside Canada needs to be fully documented, and you will also be required to provide a professional reference that can be verified.
4.2 I have a chemistry degree from outside Canada but have not worked as a chemist. Can I apply for registration as Chemist in Training?
Maybe. You must be currently employed as a chemist in BC to apply for Chemist in Training. If you are not currently employed as a chemist in BC, then you cannot qualify as a Chemist in Training. In addition, your primary degree must be evaluated and certified by ICES or an equivalent credential certification agency.
4.3 I am working as a chemist outside BC, and I am looking for work in BC. Can I apply for registration as C.I.T. or P.Chem.?
No. You must be currently employed in BC (or have a firm offer of a position) to be considered for registration.
4.4 Does the ACPBC certify foreign degrees or credentials?
No. Applicants seeking registration as a chemist should have their foreign credential evaluated by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). We require a “Comprehensive Evaluation Report” from ICES as we need to assess the course content of your degree or diploma. Full details are posted on the ICES website.
5.0 Classes of membership and transfers
5.1
I am registered as a professional chemist in another province in Canada and I wish to transfer registration to BC. How do I proceed?
You must document your current professional registration for example with a copy of your most recent registration document. We also require your contact details, and a current CV that clearly outlines current or projected work as a chemist in BC. In the online application process, you will also have to provide details of your primary degree, your current employment, and the name and contact information of professional reference (input the contact of current your professional organization). We have reciprocal recognition agreements with Alberta (ACPA), Ontario (ACPO), and Quebec (OCQ); proof of current registration in these provinces is sufficient for registration in BC. You will be asked to review and sign our Code of Ethics.
5.2 Can I be registered as a chemist in more than one province?
Yes. You could maintain your registration with each provincial organization independently.
5.3 How do I upgrade my registration from Chemist in Training to Professional Chemist? Or from R.T. Chem. to P.T.Chem.
You need to apply for registration as a Professional Chemist or Professional Technologist in Chemistry using the application form. You will need a professional reference and documentation on your work experience and current position. If there is no change to your educational qualifications, you do not need to send anything beyond what we already have on file, but if you have done additional courses or a degree, please include transcripts. P.T. Chem. applicants require letters from references outlining the additional professional training post-diploma.
5.4 How do I upgrade my membership from Student member to Chemist in Training (or Professional Chemist)?
You will need to complete the full C.I.T. application using the online portal. Your login credentials from your Student membership will allow you to access the application within your account.
5.5 I am a graduate student in Chemistry. Can I become a Student member?
Yes. But you have a choice with consequences; you are either a student or you are working as a chemist – not both. We will be happy to have you as a student member, but in this case the post-BSc work you are doing as a grad student does not count as work experience when you come to apply for registration as a Professional Chemist. Alternatively, you are now eligible for registration as a Chemist in Training; in this case your time as a grad student does count as work experience when you wish to become a Professional Chemist. We recognize up to one year of work experience for a completed M.Sc. and up to two years for a Ph.D. or M.Sc. plus Ph.D.
5.6 I graduated in Chemistry. Can I become an Associate member?
Yes. We need proof of your graduation and you need to provide a resume summarizing your work experience. Associate membership is not professional registration, but it allows access to ACPBC membership networking and membership benefits as you develop your chemistry career.
6.1 I don’t know any Professional Chemist well enough to ask as a professional reference. What do I do?
Although we would prefer that you have a Professional Chemist as your professional reference we recognize that this is not always possible. We will accept professional references from any other registered professional. This issue is that the reference can be independently established via his/her professional organization and can be directly contacted.
6.2 How is my application evaluated?
Applications are received by the Registrar, your professional reference is contacted, and the completeness of your documents is assessed. When everything is complete, your application is reviewed by the members of the Membership and Registration committee. They may have additional questions for you. If your application meets the standard, your registration is recommended to the Board who need to approve the recommendation. You will then be contacted to review and sign the Code of Ethics. Once a signed copy is received you will be a registered member.
6.4 How long does it take?
It depends entirely on how well you document your achievements and how closely you fit the standards. We try to come to a decision within 4-6 weeks of a complete application being received.