ASTTBC TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS :: QUALIFIED. REGISTERED. ACCOUNTABLE.

 

 

Act & Regulations

In 1985 the Provincial Government approved the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians Act and Regulations . The Statute recognizes the important role of technologists and technicians in contemporary society. With the Act the professional designations Applied Science Technologist (AScT) and Certified Technician (CTech) are protected.

The Statute provides for the professional recognition of technologists and technicians and establishes the legal base to define and recognize the practice for persons registered under the Statute.

The Regulations may change from time-to-time. The ASTT Act requires that the Regulations be put to the members of the Association for ratification at the ASTTBC Annual General Meeting.

The following Regulation amendments were approved by Council on December 7, 2011 and while currently in force, the amendments need to be ratified by the Members at the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 25, 2012.

Section 4.3  Standards of Practice & Guide to Professional Practice  (addition of c)

                      c)  The Council must establish, by policy and due notice to the membership, the

                           minimum number of hours of continuing education that is required of a certified

                           member or certified registrant.

Section 4.7  Practice Review Board & Discipline Committee  (revised & additions)

   c)  Powers of the Practice Review Board

 i)  The Practice Review Board may, upon its own initiative, or shall,

     upon the request of Council, establish Practice Assessment

    Policy for adoption by Council and:

    B)  may, upon its own initiative, implement such process

          in respect of a specific member or registrant, where it has

         reason to beleive that either the member or registrant or the

         public would beneift, from such process; or evaluate the

         practice of such member or registrant to determine compliance

         with prevailing standards, and for that purpose may: 

  i)   appoint a member or staff person to conduct such

       evaluation on its behalf and for its consideration;

 ii)   require the member or registrant to submit to an

       interview on the content and conduct of his / her

       practice;

iii)  require the member or registrant to make available any

       documents related to the practice for inspection,

      copying, review and consideration;

iv)  require the member to identify clients or other persons

       who may have knowledge of the content and conduct

       of his / her practice in order that such persons may be

       interviewed; and

v)   prepare recommendations for the improvement of the

       practice of the member or registrant; or

 

 

ASTTBC Objects

Under the Statute the ASTTBC is responsible for administering the Act. The Objects of ASTTBC, as set out in the Statute, are:

  • to maintain, improve and increase the knowledge, ability and competence of the members of the Association,
  • to regulate standards of training and practice of, and for, its members and to protect the interests of the public,
  • to establish, maintain and develop standards of ethics among its members.
Responsibility and Accountability of Members
  • ASTTBC Members assume a number of responsibilities under the Statute. In particular, members must adhere to a Code of Ethics. Appropriate disciplinary procedures, similar to other professional groups, are in place to deal with any breaches of the Code.
  • ASTTBC Members, as professionals, are expected to assume full and final responsibility for work they perform in accordance with their academic qualifications, training and experience.
  • ASTTBC Members are fully accountable for their work. AScT's and CTech's may utilize a stamp/seal to identify their work. Members may secure errors and omissions/liability insurance to protect third party interests.
Defining and Establishing Practice

A "definition of practice" is incorporated in the ASTT Regulations, Section 4.1 and 4.2.  ASTTBC is providing practice guidelines for members and the public.

ASTTBC is seeking recognition of its members by government and quasi-government regulatory bodies. ASTTBC is also seeking agreement on the division of areas of practice of ASTTBC Members and other professional groups including the Professional Engineers, Registered Professional Foresters, Architects, BC Land Surveyors, Registered Professional Biologists and Professional Agrologists.

ASTTBC respects the restricted areas of practice in other Statutes, e.g. Engineers Act and Foresters Act. The challenge faced by ASTTBC and other professional associations is that the areas of restriction are not clear. Hence, the importance of continuing dialogue with these professional groups in anticipation of an agreement on practice.

ASTTBC will enter into discussions with any party interested in reviewing the roles and responsibilities of Applied Science Technologists and Certified Technicians.