The amendment to the By-Laws of the Association of Professional Engineers, Nova Scotia (Engineers Nova Scotia) was made through the regulation N.S. Reg. 103/2025. This regulation was passed by the Council of Engineers Nova Scotia on September 19, 2024, and received approval from the Governor in Council on May 20, 2025. The amendment addresses specific changes in the professional development requirements for members of Engineers Nova Scotia and is based on the recommendations in a report from the Minister of Justice.

The By-Laws in question, originally established under N.S. Reg. 8/1946, were approved by the Governor in Council on May 29, 1946. The recent amendment, however, marks an important shift, especially in relation to the ongoing professional development requirements of engineers practicing in Nova Scotia.

The main amendment is Section 13C, which deals with professional development. Previously, this section was structured differently, but with the amendment, a new version of Section 13C has been introduced. The key change outlined in the new Section 13C stipulates that all members, unless specifically exempted by a resolution of the Council, must comply with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines. These guidelines are designed to ensure that engineers maintain a high standard of practice and stay current in their knowledge and skills. The amendment further emphasizes the obligation of members to complete a minimum number of professional development hours in line with the CPD Guidelines.

The amendment clarifies that compliance with these guidelines and completion of the required professional development hours will constitute fulfillment of the professional development requirements as outlined in subsection 7(1) of the Engineering Profession Act. This provision ensures that engineers who follow the CPD Guidelines are meeting their legal obligations under the Act, which governs the profession of engineering in Nova Scotia.

The Council of Engineers Nova Scotia, in accordance with the Engineering Profession Act, enacted the changes after carefully reviewing the professional needs and ensuring the development requirements reflect current standards. The new rules aim to reinforce the commitment to continuous learning and skill advancement in the engineering field, which is vital given the rapid technological advancements and evolving practices within the profession.

The amendment has been passed with the intention to improve the competence of professional engineers and to ensure that their knowledge remains current throughout their careers. The regulatory framework outlined in the amendment ensures that engineers who meet these development requirements will have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to their profession and are legally compliant with the expectations set by the Engineering Profession Act.

Nova Scotia (103/2025) May 30, 2025
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