Guidelines & Advisories
As part of its mandate to serve and protect the public interest as it relates to the practice of professional engineering and professional geoscience, Engineers and Geoscientists BC works with experts in their fields to develop professional practice guidance for its registrants. Guidance is published in the form of either professional practice guidelines or practice advisories, depending on the scope and nature of the topic.
Both types of documents assist registrants in meeting their professional obligations under the Professional Governance Act* and the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Bylaws by establishing expectations and obligations of professional practice in relation to specific professional activities. Registrants are required to stay informed of, be knowledgeable about, and meet the intent of guidance documents that are relevant to their area of practice. For more information on the development process refer to the Guidelines & Advisories Development Process.
*Note: The Professional Governance Act (PGA) came into force on February 5, 2021 in British Columbia, replacing the Engineers and Geoscientists Act. When professional practice guidelines and practice advisories are revised they will be updated to reference the PGA. However, existing references to the Engineers and Geoscientists Act remain valid and binding.
To find resources for firms, including the latest bulletins about the Permit to Practice Program, visit the Firm Practice page.
Buildings
Civil and Transportation Infrastructure
| Practice Advisory | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Determining Dam Hydrologic Loading | 1.0 | August 2, 2022 |
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining Wall Design | 1.2 | October 10, 2024 | |
| Guidelines for the Preparation of One Water System Risk Management Plans in British Columbia | 1.0 | April 26, 2024 | |
| Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC | 4.0 | September 18, 2023 | |
| Seismic Assessment and Seismic Design of Dikes in BC | 1.0 | October 7, 2021 | |
| Developing Climate Change-Resilient Designs for Highway Infrastructure in British Columbia | 2.0 | July 9, 2020 | |
| Assessment of Groundwater at Risk of Containing Pathogens (GARP) | 1.0 | July 16, 2019 | |
| ACEC-BC Budget Guidelines for Engineering Services - Document 1 Infrastructure and Transportation | 1.0 | July 1, 2018 | |
| Onsite Sewerage Systems | 1.3 | May 24, 2018 | |
| Performance-Based Seismic Design of Bridges in BC | 1.0 | May 23, 2018 | |
| Site Characterization for Dam Foundations in BC | 1.2 | October 1, 2016 |
Equipment Safety
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Equipment Inspection and Certification in British Columbia | 1.1 | December 10, 2020 |
General
| Practice Advisory | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of Artificial Intelligence in Professional Work | 1.0 | November 22, 2024 | |
| Relying on the Work of a Specialist | 1.1 | March 21, 2023 | |
| Contractual Provisions Regarding Retention and Disclosure of Project Documentation | 2.0 | February 24, 2023 |
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Guidelines | 2.0 | April 20, 2023 | |
| Peer Review | 1.0 | August 2, 2022 | |
| Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | 2.0 | December 9, 2021 | |
| Local Government Asset Management | 1.0 | July 29, 2021 | |
| Expert Witness Guidelines | 1.1 | July 1, 2016 | |
| Shop Drawings | 2.0 | January 1, 2015 | |
| Intellectual Property | 3.0 | June 1, 2009 |
High Technology
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development of Safety Critical Software | 1.0 | July 16, 2020 |
Natural Hazards
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use and Development of Seismic Microzonation Maps in BC | 1.0 | May 10, 2024 | |
| Landslide Assessments in British Columbia | 4.1 | March 1, 2023 | |
| Legislated Flood Assessments in a Changing Climate in BC | 2.1 | August 28, 2018 | |
| Seismic Retrofit Guidelines | 3.0 | July 7, 2018 | |
| Flood Mapping in BC | 1.0 | January 1, 2017 |
Natural Resources
| Practice Advisory | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Drill Core Logging: Structure | 1.0 | December 4, 2024 | |
| Professional Roles and Responsibilities for the Life Cycle of Forest Roads | 1.0 | August 23, 2022 | |
| Flowing Artesian Wells and Excavations | 1.1 | May 2, 2022 | |
| Professional Roles and Responsibilities for the Life Cycle of Forest Road Crossings | 1.0 | August 12, 2019 |
| Professional Practice Guideline | Video | Current Version | Published Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Services in the Forest Sector – Forest Roads | 2.0 | October 10, 2024 | |
| Erosion and Sediment Control | 1.0 | February 5, 2024 | |
| Professional Services in the Forest Sector - Crossings | 3.0 | December 15, 2021 | |
| Watershed Assessment and Management of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Risk in the Forest Sector | 1.0 | January 14, 2020 | |
| Legislated Riparian Assessments in BC | 1.1 | July 1, 2017 | |
| Professional Services in the Forest Sector - Terrain Stability Assessments | 2.0 | October 1, 2010 | |
| Management of Terrain Stability in the Forest Sector | 1.0 | September 1, 2008 |