Professional Profiles for Technologists and Technicians
ASTTBC’s professional profiles for Applied Science Technologists (AScT) and Certified Technicians (CTech) outline the responsibilities, qualifications, and typical work associated with each role. The profiles provide helpful guidance for current and aspiring professionals while highlighting how technologists and technicians contribute to the applied science and engineering technology sectors.
Watch this step-by-step video on how to become registered with ASTTBC
This video provides an overview of the registration process with ASTTBC. Learn what to expect from applying and meeting certification requirements to maintaining registration through continuing professional development, while discovering resources to help you succeed as a certified technology professional in BC.
This video is available in multiple languages through closed captioning. To select your preferred language, click the Settings icon (
)on the bottom of the video player, choose “CC/Subtitles,” and scroll to your preferred language. This is available in the following languages: Bengali, Chinese, English, Filipino, French, Hindi, Persian (Farsi), Spanish and Vietnamese.
This page outlines the requirements to register as an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) and Certified Technician (CTech)
Basic Requirements
All applicants must meet the minimum requirements for registration as an AScT and CTech. The requirements are as follows:
- Education:
- for AScT, a two-year accredited diploma in applied science or engineering technology, or equivalent and certification exam;
- for CTech, a one-year accredited certificate in applied science or engineering technology, or equivalent and certification exam.
- Work experience: Completion of 24 months (3,600 hours) progressive, relevant work experience of which a minimum of 12 months (1,800 hours) must be at the technologist and/or technician profile of practice or higher.
- Be legally authorized to work in Canada;
- English language proficiency;
- Be of good character and repute; and
- Professional Practice & Ethics exam.
Available disciplines for registration:
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AScT:
Architecture Building Construction Technology
Bioscience Technology
Biomedical Engineering Technology
Chemical Engineering Technology
Civil Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology
Environmental Engineering Technology
Petroleum and Gas Engineering Technology
Geotechnical Engineering Technology
Industrial Engineering Technology
Information Technology
Instrumentation Engineering Technology
Marine Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Metallurgical Technology
Mineral Resources Technology
Naval Architecture Technology
Survey/Geomatics Technology -
CTech:
Architecture Building Construction Technician
Biotechnology Technician
Chemical Technician
Civil Technician
Computer Systems Technician
Electrical Technician
Electro-Mechanical Technician
Electronics Technician
Environmental Technician
Instrumentation Technician
Mechanical Technician
Mineral Resources Technician
Petroleum and Gas Technician
Power Systems Technician
Survey/Geomatics Technician
There are 3 pathways to registration as an AScT or CTech based on whether an applicant has completed: 1) an accredited education, 2) an accredited education in a different discipline than the discipline being applied for, or 3) a non-accredited education.
Our education requirement is focused on learning outcomes
- There are General Learning Outcomes and Discipline Specific Learning Outcomes
- These learning outcomes come from the Canadian Technology Standards – which can be found at the Technology Accreditations Canada website.
The pathways and a description of the requirements for each pathway are outlined below:
Accredited Programs
ASTTBC currently recognizes programs accredited by Technology Accreditations Canada (TAC) including those programs with accreditation status previously through Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), and academic programs that were historically recognized by ASTTBC.
Programs treated under pathway 1 or 2
Technology Accreditation Canada
*Please check both lists to determine whether your academic program has been accredited.
Exams
AScT Technical (Certification) Exam
The AScT technical (certification) exam is designed to test entry-level skill and knowledge of applied science and engineering technologists. AScT applicants are required to successfully complete a technical (certification) exam in the following circumstances, applicants who have:
- completed non-accredited education/training and are applying for AScT; or
- completed an accredited program but are applying for a different discipline than completed education, and there is a discipline-specific exam available; or
- have completed a technician-level program in applied science and engineering technology and are seeking reclassification from CTech to AScT.
The following technical (certification) exams are available:
- Architectural
- Civil
- Construction
- Electrical
- Electronics
- Instrumentation
- Mechanical
- Petroleum
- Fundamentals of technology
If you completed a non-accredited program and there is no discipline-specific certification exam available for your discipline, you will be assigned the fundamentals of technology exam.
CTech Certification Exam
Effective October 7, 2025, applicants for Certified Technician (CTech) who have completed a non-accredited education program (pathway 3) are required to successfully complete the CTech Certification Exam as part of the registration process.
This exam evaluates the general learning outcomes expected of graduates from an accredited technician-level program to ensure consistency in the standards applied to all applicants, regardless of their educational pathway.
Applicants who have completed an accredited technician-level program are not required to complete the CTech Certification Exam unless otherwise specified.
Professional Practice and Ethics Exam
All applicants must successfully complete the Professional Practice & Ethics (PP&E) exam. There are fees associated with each of the exams.
Further information and study materials for AScT technical exams, CTech certification exam and the PP&E, including information on fees can be found here: https://asttbc.org/applicants/exams/.
Competency Summaries
All AScT and CTech applicants will need to demonstrate they fulfill the experiential requirements using the work competency summary as a tool to assist. These discipline specific work experience competencies are listed in the drop-down menu below. If there is no discipline-specific competency summary available, applicants will be required to complete the “general” working competencies. Applicants can self-assess whether their work experience is at the technologist or technician level.
The competency summary will need to be submitted as part of your application.
Instructions for completing the report are included within the document and a sample summary is available for review.
Competency Summaries Form
English Language Proficiency
All applicants are required to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language.
An applicant may demonstrate their proficiency in the English language with their official transcripts which indicate completion of a secondary school diploma, or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree from an educational institute where English is the primary language of instruction.
Further details and information can be found in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. Please create a free online account before starting your application. Applications will be processed once ASTTBC has received the non-refundable application fee.
Please read through our Inactive Application Policy carefully before proceeding with your application.
Required Documents
All required documents should be uploaded by the applicant to the attachments section of the online application, except for the original and official transcripts as noted below.
Applicants should request the official transcripts from their academic institute to be sent directly to ASTTBC.
Applicants who have completed education outside of Canada, should request the official transcripts from their academic institute to be sent directly to their third-party credentialling assessor (WES or ICES), and request an original comprehensive assessment to be sent directly to ASTTBC. Once ASTTBC receives the official transcripts or comprehensive assessment report, staff will upload the document to an applicant’s online application.
Application Process – Start to Finish
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Step 1 – Create an online account and complete the online application
This includes uploading all required documentation
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Step 2 – Submit application and pay applicable fees.
Applications will not be processed until the non-refundable application fee is paid.
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Step 3 – Document Collection
An ASTTBC Registration Coordinator will be assigned to the application, and they will review the application to ensure that the application is complete.
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Step 4 – File review
The application will be sent to two qualified individuals, who will review the application and provide a recommendation to the credentials committee to either approve or deny the application based on whether the application meets the minimum requirements for registration set out in the bylaws. The qualified individuals are ASTTBC volunteers.
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Step 5 – Decision
The Credentials Committee will review the application and recommendations and render a decision with respect to the application.
The potential outcomes of an application are as follows:
- Conditionally approved pending completion of any applicable exam requirements; or
- Deny an application for having not met the minimum requirements for registration.
The credentials committee may also place limits or conditions on an applicant’s registration.
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Step 6 – Exams
When an applicant is conditionally approved, the applicant will then be required to successfully complete the PP&E exam, and any applicable certification exams.This page outlines the requirements to register as an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) and Certified Technician (CTech)
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Step 7 – Complete Registration
After an applicant has successfully completed all required exams, and pays their annual fees, the applicant will become a registrant and is placed on the ASTTBC public register.Viw
Please read through Inactive Application Policy carefully before proceeding with your application.
Transfer of Registration
An individual registered as a Technologist or Technician in another Canadian province may apply for transfer of their certification under the terms of the Canada Free Trade Agreement. To transfer your registration, please:
- Complete Sections A, B, C and D of the Interprovincial Transfer Application in full
- Follow the instruction to submit application online
Effective March 10, 2026, transfer applicants are required to pass the ASTTBC Professional Practice & Ethics (PP&E) exam prior to completing their registration. A standard exam fee applies.
Internationally Trained Professionals
ASTTBC has a webpage specifically for internationally educated/trained professionals.
Application for Trainee
Apply for Trainee registration if you have completed the educational requirements but have not completed the required experiential requirements for practising registrants. Information on how to apply as a trainee can be found on our trainee page.
Application for Student
If you are a full-time student enrolled in an accredited technology program at a post-secondary institution in British Columbia, you may apply as a Student Registrant.
Other Classes of Registration
Please visit the Fire Protection, Onsite Wastewater, or Registered Technical Specialist page for information.
More Information
Contact registrations@asttbc.org for assistance. Please include the class of registration or designation you are seeking information on.
