A professional technologist (P.Tech) is a class of certification of engineering technologist and professional technologist in Canada and Malaysia respectively.
The title of P.Tech is protected across Canada by copyright law, and specifically in certain jurisdictions by provincial law. The P.Tech designation came into place to align technologists with P.Engs (professional engineers). Technologists can perform the functions of a technician, engineer, or scientist.
The title is not used consistently across Canada. In some cases, the P.Tech designation is equivalent to a certified engineering technologist designation. However; in other cases, provincial legislation makes professional technologists into licensees under the local professional engineering organization, capable of practicing some professional engineering within a limited scope.
The Ordre des Technologues Professionnels du Quebec is Quebec's independent certifying body for engineering/applied science technicians and technologists.[1]
The Ordre des Technologues Professionnels du Quebec confers the post-nominal designation of P.Tech, which is called "professional technologist" or "technologue professionel" to engineering technologists who meet the standard for certification. Quebec's professional technologist designation is equivalent to a certified engineering technologist designation.[2]
Members are governed by the "Code des professions du Québec"[3] and the "Code de déontologie des technologues professionnels",[4] and perform according to accepted norms and standards in the industry.
The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) is Alberta's independent certifying body for engineering/applied science technicians and technologists.
ASET confers the post-nominal designation of C.E.T. to engineering technologists who meet the standard for certification. This represents the status as a certified engineering technologist who has met a standard agreed upon across Canada.
In addition to that designation, ASET and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta together maintain a P.Tech.(Eng.) certification, which over and above the designation of C.E.T. provides a limited license to practice professional engineering within a limited scope.
Members who earn this designation have the right to independently practice engineering and/or geoscience within a specified scope of practice that is the routine application of industry recognized codes, standards, procedures and practices using established engineering or applied science principles and methods of problem solving as specified by the ASET/APEGA Joint Board of Examiners.
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This professional technologist designation is written into the provincial act regarding professional engineering, the Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act of Alberta[7]
Specifically, “professional technologist” means an individual who is issued a certificate of registration by the ASET Registrar in accordance with this Act to engage in the practice of engineering or geo-science within the scope of practice specified by the Joint Board of Examiners.
P.Tech.(Eng.) license allows the practitioner to work independently and stamp their own work indicating they take responsibility for the work they have done.
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The scope of practice for a P.Tech. will be narrower and more prescribed than the defined scope of practice for a P.L.(Eng.) {Professional Licensee}
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Under the Technologists and Technicians Act 2015 [Act 768], the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) issues Professional Technologist[11] status to registered Graduate Technologists[12] after passing an assessment. A minimum of 3 years of working experience is required. The Professional Technologists are entitled to bear pre-nominal letters of "Ts.", and post-nominal letters of "P.Tech." and their specializations.