Discipline, Compliance & Enforcement

FAQs

• If I have a complaint about the practice, ethics, or professionalism of a licensed PEGNL member, can I report it anonymously?

  No, the Engineers and Geoscientists Act, 2008 requires that all allegations against PEGNL license holders be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint or by that person’s lawyer.

• If I see a person who I don’t think is an engineer or geoscientist using the title engineer or geoscientist, can I report it anonymously?

  Yes, complaints against individuals not licensed with PEGNL can be reported anonymously.

• Who requires a license to practice engineering or geoscience in Newfoundland & Labrador?

  Any individual that is practicing engineering or geoscience in relation to work in the province, requires a license.

• Do I need to be licenced with PEGNL if I live in Newfoundland & Labrador, but my work is for/in a different province or territory?

  No, a license is only required where the practice of engineering or geoscience occurs. You would require a license in all provinces or territories where you practice (where your projects reside).

• Do I need to be licenced with PEGNL if I live in a different province, but work on projects in Newfoundland & Labrador?

  Yes. A license is required in the jurisdiction for which the work is being done (where the project resides).

• If I live, and am registered, in another province but do engineering or geoscience work for a Newfoundland & Labrador project, do I need to be licenced by PEGNL even if I am never physically in Newfoundland & Labrador?

  Yes, any professional engineering or geoscience work done for projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, must be performed by individuals and firms licensed by PEGNL.

• I work for a manufacturing company in NL and all my engineering work is used in making the finished product, do I need to be licenced by PEGNL?

  Yes, anyone practicing engineering in the province must be licensed by PEGNL.

• I work for a mining company in NL and all my geoscience work is used in assessing and extracting an end product, do I need to be licenced by PEGNL?

  Yes, anyone practicing geoscience in the province must be licensed by PEGNL. 

• Who requires a permit to practice in Newfoundland & Labrador?

  Any person or organization offering engineering or geoscience services to persons outside of their organization in the province requires a permit to practice.

• Do members of PEGNL who are sole proprietors require a permit to practice?

  Yes, unless the sole proprietor is working as a contractual employee of the client, a Permit to Practice is required.

• If I am a sole proprietor and I only offer my services to one client at a time but have multiple clients in a year, do I require a permit to practice?

  Yes. There must be a long-term employee-employer relationship between the sole proprietor and the client for the permit exemption to apply. Offering services to multiple clients in a year does not meet the long-term threshold necessary to establish the employee-employer relationship.

• How do I know if a person or a company holds a license or Permit to Practice?

  You can find out if a person or a company holds a license or permit to practice by checking the Member Register or Permit Directory.

• How do I report a potential compliance violation?

  If you suspect or are aware of an unlicensed individual, company, or entity that is using a reserved title, is representing entitlement to practice engineering or geoscience, or is practicing engineering or geoscience, please contact PEGNL’s Professional Standards Director by email at bhunt@pegnl.ca or by telephone at (709) 753-7714; Ext. 108.

• What type of information does PEGNL need when dealing with compliance issues?

  Any relevant evidence to support the suspected violation, including business cards, company directories, phone book or public directory listings, media advertisements, screenshots (of websites, advertisements, social media pages or emails) or documents that can be shared publicly will help in our efforts.

• What happens to an unlicensed individual or firm who is in violation of the Engineers & Geoscientists Act?

  Under Section 43 of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act, 2008 (the Act) unlicensed individuals or companies who violate the Act may be subject to legal action and fines ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.

• What happens to a licensed individual or firm who is in violation of the Engineers & Geoscientists Act?

  Under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act, 2008 (the Act) licensed members or firms who violate the Act are subject to discipline and sanctions up to and including loss of license and the right to practice the professions.

• What about title representation in social media?

  Any license holder with PEGNL has the right to use reserved titles, including on social media. A person who is not licensed with PEGNL and is using reserved titles or representing entitlement to practice engineering or geoscience, whether it is through use of social media or not, is in violation of the Engineers & Geoscientists Act. 

• Can my company have a name that includes a reserved title if they do not offer engineering or geoscience services?

  No. Partnerships, corporations, or other entities may not be incorporated or registered in Newfoundland and Labrador under a name that includes the words “engineering”, “geology”, “geophysics”, or “geoscience” or variations of these words, unless it holds and continues to hold a valid PEGNL Permit to Practice.