Overview

The Professional Governance Act (PGA) gives regulatory bodies the authority to establish bylaws governing how they operate and regulate their profession.  It also contains requirements for how bylaws are adopted and changed over time. 

Since the PGA came into force, registrants of the regulatory bodies are no longer involved in voting on bylaw changes proposed by the board.  Instead, the board makes decisions on bylaws and submits proposed bylaws to the Superintendent. 

Section 37 of the PGA requires the Superintendent to review regulatory body bylaws for suitability under the Act.  The exception is bylaws setting or changing fees charged by regulatory bodies.  The Superintendent does not review or approve fees. 

Bylaws that are determined suitable are filed with the minister responsible for the Act.  Bylaw changes come into force 45 days from filing with the minister, or, at an earlier date if specified by the Superintendent. 

The legislative requirements regarding the bylaw filing process can be found in sections 37 and 38 of the Act.  

Bylaws filed and in-force under the PGA 

Regulatory bodies are required by section 40 of the Act to maintain a complete and accurate record of the bylaws that are in effect.  They are required to provide a copy of the bylaws to each registrant; to make the bylaws available to any person for inspection; and to post the bylaws on their websites to provide public access. 

For copies of each regulatory body’s bylaws, please refer to their websites: 

• Forest Professionals BC (FPBC) 

• Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) 

• BC Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) 

• College of Applied Biologists (CAB) 

• Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) 

• Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC)