Professional Technologist

Professional Technologist (P.Tech) is a Canadian professional title awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and work experience. Professional Technologists are synonymous with engineers and must be registered or licensed to work in engineering and technology related fields.

The title of P.Tech, is protected by provincial legislation. One cannot use the title or hold that one is a Professional Technologist unless so certified, by a provincial body associated with the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists. The Professional Technologist (P.Tech) designation is to more closely align with Professional Engineers who use the title (P.Eng).

Technologists are faced with significant bias against their profession. It is common for corporations to suggest that a Technologist take the job title of a Technician. The title of Technician does not convey the appropriate status that reflects the education that a Technologist has obtained. Some Technologists hold bachelor's degrees. Today's world is changing, and not only engineers can perform engineering work.

Occupations

In simplest terms a technologist can perform the functions of an engineer or scientist and is usually working as part of a team with them. In some jurisdictions a technologist may even be able to sign and take responsibility for engineering work.

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Technology)In Canada, this degree has just recently, in the past several years, become available from The Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_University_of_Newfoundland) and The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Alberta_Institute_of_Technology). The prerequisite to enter the degree program is a 2 or 3 year engineering technology program from an accredited institution. The degree is usually a 1 or 2 year upgrade from their diploma and is acknowledged at the university level. The US and UK have offered bachelor degress in technology for sometime. Degreed technologists in these countries are permitted to practice professional engineering.

Debate

There seems to be some debate on whether to allow technologists the permit to practice professional engineering in Canada. Currently, one must hold a B.Eng (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_engineering) and have 3 years experience under a Professional Engineer (P.Eng -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Engineer) in order to practice professional engineering. The Association of Science and Engineering Technology (ASET -- www.aset.ab.ca) are currently fighting for legislation to allow technologists the permit to practice professional engineering. Technologists who are permitted will be referred to as Professional Technologists (P.Tech).

Certification Requirements

*Graduation from at least a two or three-year postsecondary program in engineering or applied science technology approved by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board
*Work experience (number of years work experience may vary depending on academic qualifications)
*Completion of an application, work history and submission of professional references
*Completion of a professional practice examination