NB: You can download a PDF version of this FAQ here.
Preamble
The College of Applied Biologists Council has approved a dues increase for all active1 registrants and retirees for 2023. The increase for active registrants is up to 10% and an increase to $50 for retired registrants.
The increase will ensure that the College of Applied Biologists will be able to meet its statutory duties, respond to increasing demands incurred as a result of the Professional Governance Act (PGA), and successfully implement and enforce reserved practice (practice rights) for applied biology professionals
If you would like more information about reserved practice, please consult the reserved practice 2022 FAQ.
1Excludes those on temporary Withdrawal (i.e., on-leave).
General FAQs
When was the last time the College raised dues?
Dues for College registrants were last raised (by $50 for RPBios and RBTechs and $15 for ABTs) for the 2022 registration year. The College was continuing with implementation of the Professional Governance Act and was adding resources to be able to address increasing requests and requirements of the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance.
Under the Professional Governance Act, a referendum is no longer required to enact changes to registration dues. The Council of a governing body has the authority to set and adjust registration dues.
Why has the new Act and the work of the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) resulted in higher dues for College registrants?
All regulators under the PGA have had to evaluate, revise and expand their statutorily mandated activities to come into and remain in compliance with the Act. Examples of investments and improvements made over the last four years includes:
- Legal fees for regulatory and Bylaw development
- Revisions to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and corresponding mandatory course
- Revamped internal operating procedures
- Investments in technology to allow for better access for registrants including online CPD reporting, an in-house Learning Management System, and the online application portal
- Development of new mandatory courses, webinars and explanatory documents
- Enhanced engagement and consultation on changes because of the Act and the implementation of reserved practice
Ongoing costs will include:
- Increased capacity to support the required practice guidance program which includes development of a formal practice guidance program
- Increased support for statutory committees
- Bylaw updates and bylaw development
- Increased reporting functions as required through the OSPG’s Standards of Good Regulation
- Increased OSPG information requests, annual audits by the OSPG on meeting the Standards of Good Regulation, and annual reporting requirements
- Proactive approach to enforce Title and Reserved Practice infringement
- Operationalizing the Environmental Practice Panel (EPP) with the Association of Professional BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) to develop better guidance for our registrants and the public
- Ongoing collaboration with other regulators on alignments and intersections of reserved practice, and overlaps in regulated practice
- Continued investments in technology
- Monthly meetings with the OSPG and other regulators, quarterly meetings with the Professional Governance Advisory Committee, and participation on a number of task-oriented committees (e.g., firm regulation)
Why are dues going up again?
As well as increased demands from the OSPG, ongoing regulatory requirements of the PGA continue to put increased pressure on the College’s capacity to meet its statutory requirements.
These requirements include:
- Maintaining a fair, transparent and robust Complaints and Discipline process in an environment that has seen the number of complaints double over the past five years
- Delivering an efficient and rigorous credentialing program that has seen applications increase seven per cent annually since 2019 that could still increase further now that reserved practice has been enabled
- Supporting effective audit and practice reviews programs to ensure that registrants continue to meet their professional development requirements and maintain high professional standards
- Implementing a new Practice Guidance program to support registrants proactively with their professional practice
It is important to note that the College is required to meet the same regulatory standard as other regulators under the Act who currently have more capacity.
Do I need to complete the Indigenous Awareness training in order to pay my dues?
Yes, if you were randomly selected in August 2022, you must complete the Indigenous Awareness training and Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct training through the College portal in order to pay your dues for the 2023 registration year. If you were not selected in August 2022, you can still complete the courses at your leisure through the registrant portal. More information about mandatory training courses can be found here.
Budget FAQs
Why is the College increasing dues for the 2023 budget when the 2022 budget came in at a surplus, even with the demands of the OSPG?
While causing severe outcomes in other ways, the ongoing coronavirus has restricted some activities of the College that has resulted in a budget surplus. While these restrictions saved money in the short term, it has meant that many of our important outreach activities have been neglected. As restrictions are removed the College is resuming its critical pre-Covid activities.
When was the last time the College raised dues?
Dues for College registrants were last raised (by $50 for RPBios and RBTechs and $15 for ABTs) for the 2022 registration year. The College was continuing with implementation of the Professional Governance Act and was adding resources to be able to address increasing requests and requirements of the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance.
Under the Professional Governance Act, a referendum is no longer required to enact changes to registration dues. The Council of a governing body has the authority to set and adjust registration dues.
Why has the new Act and the work of the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) resulted in higher dues for College registrants?
All regulators under the PGA have had to evaluate, revise and expand their statutorily mandated activities to come into and remain in compliance with the Act. Examples of investments and improvements made over the last four years includes:
- Legal fees for regulatory and Bylaw development
- Revisions to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and corresponding mandatory course
- Revamped internal operating procedures
- Investments in technology to allow for better access for registrants including online CPD reporting, an in-house Learning Management System, and the online application portal
- Development of new mandatory courses, webinars and explanatory documents
- Enhanced engagement and consultation on changes because of the Act and the implementation of reserved practice
Ongoing costs will include:
- Increased capacity to support the required practice guidance program which includes development of a formal practice guidance program
- Increased support for statutory committees
- Bylaw updates and bylaw development
- Increased reporting functions as required through the OSPG’s Standards of Good Regulation
- Increased OSPG information requests, annual audits by the OSPG on meeting the Standards of Good Regulation, and annual reporting requirements
- Proactive approach to enforce Title and Reserved Practice infringement
- Operationalizing the Environmental Practice Panel (EPP) with the Association of Professional BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) to develop better guidance for our registrants and the public
- Ongoing collaboration with other regulators on alignments and intersections of reserved practice, and overlaps in regulated practice
- Continued investments in technology
- Monthly meetings with the OSPG and other regulators, quarterly meetings with the Professional Governance Advisory Committee, and participation on a number of task-oriented committees (e.g., firm regulation)
Why are dues going up again?
As well as increased demands from the OSPG, ongoing regulatory requirements of the PGA continue to put increased pressure on the College’s capacity to meet its statutory requirements.
These requirements include:
- Maintaining a fair, transparent and robust Complaints and Discipline process in an environment that has seen the number of complaints double over the past five years
- Delivering an efficient and rigorous credentialing program that has seen applications increase seven per cent annually since 2019 that could still increase further now that reserved practice has been enabled
- Supporting effective audit and practice reviews programs to ensure that registrants continue to meet their professional development requirements and maintain high professional standards
- Implementing a new Practice Guidance program to support registrants proactively with their professional practice
It is important to note that the College is required to meet the same regulatory standard as other regulators under the Act who currently have more capacity.
Do I need to complete the Indigenous Awareness training in order to pay my dues?
Yes, if you were randomly selected in August 2022, you must complete the Indigenous Awareness training and Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct training through the College portal in order to pay your dues for the 2023 registration year. If you were not selected in August 2022, you can still complete the courses at your leisure through the registrant portal. More information about mandatory training courses can be found here.
Why is the College increasing dues for the 2023 budget when the 2022 budget came in at a surplus, even with the demands of the OSPG?
While causing severe outcomes in other ways, the ongoing coronavirus has restricted some activities of the College that has resulted in a budget surplus. While these restrictions saved money in the short term, it has meant that many of our important outreach activities have been neglected. As restrictions are removed the College is resuming its critical pre-Covid activities.