Geophysicist

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Who is the licensing body responsible for Geophysicists in Alberta?
• What are the licensure requirements for internationally educated Geophysicists?
• What resources and supports are available for internationally educated Geophysicists?
• What are the educational requirements for Geophysicists in Alberta?

 

Who is the licensing body responsible for Geophysicists in Alberta?

 In Alberta, you must be registered with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) to practice as a Professional Geophysicist or Professional Geologist. You cannot call yourself a Professional Geophysicist or Professional Geologist unless you are registered with APEGGA.

What are the licensure requirements for internationally educated Geophysicists?

Internationally Educated Geophysicists must apply to APEGGA for an evaluation of qualifications and, fulfill the following five criteria for licensure:                                                                                    

 

1. Successfully complete the National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE).           
2. English Language Competency.                                                                                              
3. Good Character and Reputation.                                                                                            
4. Work Experience (including one year of Canadian work experience).                                                                                                                      
5. Academics acceptable to the Board of Examiners.                                                                       

*Note:

• It is important to note that all applicants must write the NPPE whether they are Canadian or internationally trained.
• The English Language Competency requirement can be met by submitting the required TOEFL score or by a handwritten letter explaining why you are competent in English. 
• The remaining criteria contain a set of guidelines for applicants to follow which is essentially based on the applicant’s history of education and work experience. To learn more about the specifics of each criterion which helps applicants determine their process, visit the Internationally Educated Graduates page on the APEGGA website.  
• If you have less than four years of work experience, then you must apply as a Geoph.I.T.  (Geophysicist in Training). If you are applying as a Geoph.I.T. you must meet two of the five licensure requirements which include Academics, Good Character and Reputation.  

 

Provisional License:

 

A provisional license may be granted to internationally educated geophysicists who have met all the requirements established by APEGGA except for the one year Canadian work experience. A provisional license shows employers that all the criteria have been met by the applicant. The provisional license is intended to help applicants gain employment.  

What resources and supports are available for internationally educated Geophysicists?

• Directions for Immigrants offers Study Groups to help you prepare for the NPPE. Visit the Study Groups page for more information on this service and eligibility criteria.     
• The APEGGA Mentoring Program offers members an opportunity to partner with an experienced individual who can provide advice and assistance with the geophysicist profession in Alberta. Additional services for members can be found on the APEGGA website.

What are the educational requirements for Geophysicists in Alberta?

(Note: Licensing bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)   These standards and course requirements can be found on the APEGGA website under the lists of syllabi.

In Alberta, the following universities offer degrees in geophysics:

• The University of Alberta in Edmonton. 
• The University of Calgary

Additional Occupational Information

For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Geophysicist under occupational information.

 

 

Updated: March 12, 2009