The Articling Program ensures that new registrants understand the role of a professional, the importance of the Institute, and to provide opportunities to meet full status registrants for mentorship and networking purposes. This strengthens an articling registrant’s understanding of professionalism and ethics as it relates to agrology.

• Provides an introduction to BCIA and its role as a provincial regulatory body
• Provides opportunities to meet other Registrants for networking and mentorship
• Encourages active registration and participation in issues and activities within the district, Branch, and provincial levels
• Provides an understanding of the role, responsibilities, and ethics of being a professional
• Provides professional development opportunities for new Registrants

Following approval by the Credentials Committee, the new articling registrant will receive a letter from the Registrar that states:

• Seek out a mentor immediately upon notification and submit the signed mentoring agreement within two (2) months. Need assistance to find a mentor? Check the Mentor Directory! The link is found only within the BCIA account under 'Mentoring'.

NOTE: Articling registrants who have NOT submitted their signed mentoring agreement within two months since their notice of acceptance into BCIA will have their articling term held in abeyance (put on hold) until the mentoring agreement is received. This, in effect, will extend the articling term to however long the signed mentoring agreement is outstanding.

• Articling designation
• Minimum length of the articling term; the term starts when employed in the practice of agrology
• Requirements for completion of the Articling Program to advance to full professional status
• The expectation of completing the Articling Program within a maximum of three years (1 or 2 year articling term is assigned); an articling extension fee is applied after three years

Articling Program Elements

Articling registrants must ensure that all relevant activities listed below are entered as they occur under the Articling Program section of their BCIA profile.

Introduction to Agrology and Orientation to BCIA Courses (This should be completed first)

Complete the two online courses Introduction to Agrology & Orientation to BCIA, in which the profession of agrology and the functions of BCIA are explained. (Note: You must log in as a Registrant to view these webinars)

After completion, the articling registrant must make two separate declarations in their PD Report (after log-in; for a total of 2.5 PDH).

Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Attending your Branch AGM is an opportunity to learn how each of the Branches function and to voice your thoughts and ideas. Volunteer opportunities to serve on the Branch Executive are available, by which one may enhance themselves as a professional. All registrants are entitled to vote during Branch business meetings.

Articling Introduction at a Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Provide a brief verbal report at a Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) to introduce yourself: include your name, academic background, the field of specialization, and current employment, and acknowledge your mentor. This typically is 2-3 minutes in length at the Branch AGM.

Branch Professional Development Event

Branch activities are held throughout the year in various locations around the province. These events provide opportunities to volunteer, network with other registrants, gain professional development (PD) hours and reinforce connections with BCIA.

Volunteer (2 Options) or Attend a Branch Executive Meeting (select one)

1. Volunteer at a Branch/BCIA event (contact your Articling Coordinator)
2. Attend a Branch Executive Meeting, in-person or online (contact your Articling Coordinator)
3. Serve (volunteer) on any professional group

Provincial Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The virtual provincial AGM is held each Spring. An opportunity to network with registrants of the Institute from across the province and to see the workings of your Institute at the provincial level. Reports and submitted resolutions are discussed. Registrants in good standing are entitled to vote.

BCIA Ethics for Professionals Workshop

Complete the BCIA Ethics for Professionals Workshop. Case studies will be used to examine different types of ethical situations that Agrologists may encounter.  

After completion, the articling Registrant must create a declaration in their PD Report (after log-in; enter 8 PDH).

Indigenous Peoples' Cultural Awareness Training

Complete Indigenous Peoples Cultural Awareness Training, or its equivalent, in which cultural awareness and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples are discussed.  

After completion, the articling registrant must create a declaration in their PD Report (after log-in; enter a minimum of 6 PD hours)

Professional Negligence and Regulatory Offences Webinar

Complete the online webinar Professional Liability presentation, Module #1: Professional Negligence and Regulatory Offences.  

After completion, the articling registrant must create a declaration in their PD Report (after log-in; 1.5 PD hours)

Record Professional Development Activities

All PD activities must be reported in the BCIA profile after log-in in before the payment of annual fees. The Professional Development requirements ensure registrants acquire and maintain the necessary knowledge and skills to be current in their scope of practice. View the Professional Development Guidelines for more information.

Registrants are required to maintain their competency by reporting a minimum of 30 hours of professional development annually and 125 hours of professional development over a 3-year period, or an average of 42 hours per year. If accepted mid-year, the PD hours are pro-rated, with the required minimums being waived for the first year only.

PD hours must be submitted using the online tracker no later than January 15 of each year.

Meet With Your Mentor Frequently

Meet with your mentor in a face-to-face meeting or virtually at least twice each year. Mentorship is a key aspect of the Articling Program and is beneficial for both parties. The mentor is to encourage the completion of the Articling Program promptly. Download the Mentor/Mentee Talking Points guide to help facilitate discussions.

Work in Agrology for The Articling Term

Articling Registrants must have full-time employment in agrology for the equivalent of their articling term.  

An extension fee of $60 is applied to the articling annual fee to an equal full status annual fee if the Registrant articles for more than three (3) years.

Near the end of the articling term, create a written essay reflecting on the program experience.

When complete, upload the final essay to the Articling Program page within the BCIA profile.

The paper will include:

• An articulation of your area(s) of practice within the scope of the agrology profession
• A discussion of current issues and potential ethical challenges within your area(s) of practice in British Columbia
• A summary of your work experience and responsibilities in agrology during the Articling Program
• An overview (perhaps using a diagram) of your developing “professional network” within your areas of practice where, as a professional, you need to maintain and foster dialogue and communication
• A strategy for your continuing professional development over the next year
• Comments on how the Articling Program has met your needs as an aspiring professional and suggestions for how the Articling Program can be improved, including the mentoring aspect of the program
• An expected 1500 to 2000 words in length

The mentor's letter of recommendation for professional designation is required. The articling registrant will upload the mentor letter to their Articling Program page within the BCIA profile.

The letter must confirm:

• The mentor-mentee relationship
• The period of professional work experience as stipulated in the initial letter confirming the articling status
• Current employment in the field of agrology
• The professional development experience and the annual professional development reporting was reviewed and discussed
• The Articling Program components were completed, including meetings with the mentee
• The qualities and qualifications being brought to the Institute by the articling Registrant and recommend a formal recommendation to full professional status

Two additional letters of reference regarding the articling Registrant's work in agrology are required. The articling registrant will upload the two reference letters to their Articling Program page within the BCIA profile. These letters can be provided by your supervisor, clients, colleagues, or registered professionals in good standing who are in a position to comment on your work experience.

The letters must confirm:

• Your Practice Area(s)
• Your work experience during your articling term was undertaken in an ethical manner
• You demonstrated technical expertise in your area of practice
• Your work completed was to an acceptable level

Once the end-of-program documents have been uploaded to the BCIA profile under the Articling Program page, the articling registrant must 'certify' the Articling Program is officially completed.

The role of a mentor is one of support, monitoring, and guidance, and the responsibility to complete the program activities promptly is the articling Registrant's. The mentor shall:

• Invite, introduce, and encourage attendance at meetings and participation in Branch or BCIA activities
• Set an example as a registered professional
• Introduce the new Registrant to professional networks
• Review and clarify the subject matter in the Professional Governance Act, Agrologists Regulation, BCIA's Bylaws, the Code of Ethics, the Duty to Report, and any other relevant legislation, guidelines, or policies
• Assist the articling Registrant in identifying, selecting , and participating in professional development activities that may be helpful in their area(s) of practice
• Discuss and review annual professional development (PD) reports ensuring required minimums are met
• Provide verification signatures in select areas within the articling checklist indicating engagement between parties
• Provide a letter to the articling registrant that includes a final recommendation regarding progression to full professional status
  • additional information is available under Mentoring

Track your Articling Program

Articling registrants are required to track all Articling Program elements online through their profile. Once the articling term and all elements are completed, Articling registrants may upload the End of Program documents.

Reference your customized Articling Program components for completion by referencing your articling acceptance letter and the Articling Program Checklist.

• Sections 1 - 5 Articling Program Journal

Inserts:

• BCIA Bylaws - February 2021 Version
• Professional Development (PD) Guidelines

Important Information:

• Professional Governance Act (PGA)
• Agrologists Regulation
• Reserved Practice (practice rights)
• Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG)
• Duty to Report

Forms:

• Articling Program Checklist
• Mentoring Agreement
• Mentor / Mentee Outlines or Talking Points

How to Record Articling Program under Registrant Profile

Visit BCIA Resources to find other relevant resources.