Temporary Unregistered Geoscientists: How Do I Apply?
Click here to download a checklist of documents needed to apply as a temporary practising geoscientist, who is not registered in another Canadian jurisdiction.
STEP 1
Download and complete the application form for a temporary license to practice in Ontario.
STEP 2
Send the completed application form, along with the application fee to applications@pgo.ca. The application fee can be paid using the credit card payment form, go to forms and guidelines and choose the correct credit card payment form for your location. Payment can also be made by cheque, by mailing it along with your application form to the PGO office, or by e-transfer to fees@pgo.ca, with your name and “temporary application fee” in the message box. If sending a cheque, cheques must be made payable to the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.
STEP 3
Scan/photograph your photo ID and make a redacted copy to be sent with your application. Please click here for the redacted ID guidelines.
STEP 4
Provide an official copy of all academic transcripts, which must be sent directly to PGO from the institution(s) from which you received your degree(s). Please click here for the transcript request form. We can accept e-transcripts, as long as they come directly from the university. They can be sent to applications@pgo.ca, or mailed to our office address.
STEP 5
For internationally trained applicants: if you have obtained your education from an institution outside of Canada you must have a Canadian equivalency evaluation completed on a course-by-course basis by World Education Services (WES). Please click here for the transcript request form.
STEP 6
Submit a letter confirming that you have knowledge of all codes, standards and laws relevant to the work to be undertaken.
STEP 8
The competency-based assessment system will ask for four validators (references). Of these four validators, at least one must be a practising geoscientist registered with a geoscience regulatory body in Canada, or equivalent foreign organisation. Another must be a professional geoscientist registered in Canada, or equivalent, or a professional engineer (P.Eng.) registered with a Canadian engineering regulatory body, or equivalent foreign organisation, and preferably one who is qualified to practice geoscience. The third and fourth validators can be anyone who knows the applicant’s work experience well.
STEP 9
Please also submit one of the two sets of additional required documents listed below:
1. Provide documentation, acceptable to the Registration Committee, evidencing membership in a self-regulatory organisation or professional geoscientists association in a jurisdiction outside of Canada, whose objectives are similar to those of PGO, and who require qualifications for membership that are equivalent to those required by PGO for practising registration.
2. Documentation, acceptable to the Registration Committee, evidencing national or international recognition, and at least 10 years of experience, in the area of practice relevant to the work to be undertaken in Ontario.
Please note: you will need to submit the CBA application separately from your PGO application. There is no additional cost for using the CBA system. It is your responsibility to ensure that you complete your CBA application, and that your validators receive the link to view the competencies that you have assigned to them. Should there be any issues, please contact applications@pgo.ca.
Please make sure to send all supporting documents to applications@pgo.ca, and don’t forget to complete the CBA application. Your application will be incomplete until PGO receives the final report that is prepared by the CBA system.
The applicant has a duty to monitor the provided email account, including a junk mail folder, for communication from PGO. It is suggested that you add PGO to your email safelist.
