Section 6 (VI) Regulation of Members & Discipline Processes (10%) (7 to 10 questions)
Subsection: 6.3 (VI.3) - Practice Review of Firms
Subsection: 6.3 (VI.3) - Practice Review of Firms
Purpose and Overview
The Practice Review Board (PRB) proactively reviews the practices of permit holders. Across Canada, each provincial and territorial engineering and geoscience regulator carries out Practice Reviews to uphold the profession’s high standards of competence, ethics, and accountability. These reviews ensure that engineers and geoscientists firms deliver work that protects public safety and meets professional expectations.
The purpose of a practice review is proactive quality assurance—to ensure that professionals and organizations follow best practices, maintain technical competence, and uphold ethical standards. Reviews are intended to support continuous improvement, not to punish. However, If unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice is discovered by the PRB, it may refer the matter to the Investigative Committee, which will conduct a detailed investigation against the member or permit holder.
Reviews of Permit Holders
In addition to the below, practice reviews may also be triggered by public incidents that have an engineering or geoscience component.
The PRB may review a permit holder to confirm it has a Professional Practice Management Plan that is appropriate to its professional practice and that the permit holder is following the plan.
2. Procedure and Authority
Every provincial and territorial regulator in Canada (such as Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Professional Engineers Ontario, Engineers Nova Scotia, Engineers Yukon, etc.) maintains a Practice Review Board (PRB) or equivalent committee. These bodies have the authority to:
Conduct practice reviews of individual professionals or organizations.
Request and assess records, documentation, or quality management systems.
Recommend education, mentoring, or corrective actions where improvements are needed.
Refer cases involving potential misconduct or incompetence to an Investigative or Discipline Committee.
3. Consequences of a Practice Review
If a review finds that a permit holder or professional member is not following the required standards of practice, the permit or licence may be cancelled, the permit holder or member may be fined, and the results of the review may be published on the organizations website. Depending on the findings of Practice Review Board (PRB), a review may result in one or more of the following outcomes:
Meets Standards: Practice aligns with professional and technical expectations. No further action required.
Improvement Required: Recommendations may include mentorship, CPD, or system improvements.
Referral for Investigation: If unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice is suspected, the case is referred for formal investigation.
Disciplinary Action: In severe cases, the member’s licence or corporate permit may be suspended or cancelled, fines may be imposed, and results may be published publicly.
Key Point: Transparency is essential. Many regulators publish confirmed disciplinary outcomes to maintain public confidence in self-regulation.
4. Relationship with the Investigative or Discipline Committee
If a Practice Review uncovers signs of unprofessional conduct or unskilled practice, the matter is referred to the regulator’s Investigative Committee (sometimes called the Discipline Committee).
This committee:
Conducts a formal investigation under due process.
Determines whether disciplinary action is warranted.
May impose sanctions such as fines, suspension, or revocation of membership or permit.
5. Why Practice Reviews Matter
Practice Reviews demonstrate Canada’s system of self-regulation in the public interest—a privilege granted by provincial and territorial governments. They reinforce the profession’s responsibility to ensure that only qualified, competent, and ethical professionals provide engineering and geoscience services.
They promote:
Accountability: Professionals remain answerable for their work and decisions.
Transparency: Oversight activities build public trust.
Continuous Improvement: Reviews encourage learning and professional growth.
Exam Tip: Practice Review = proactive quality assurance.
Investigation = reactive discipline.