3 Regulation of the Profession

PROFESSIONALISM                                                                                                        

Who Are Professionals?

Professionals are everywhere, from sports to medicine and from artists so scientists. The original meaning of professional is derived from the Middle English profes, an adjective meaning having professed one’s vows, which itself is derived from the late Latin professus which meant to profess, confess. the idea was that professionals were those who “professed” their skill to others, and “vowed” to perform their profession to the highest standard [8].

Characteristics of Professionalism

1. Integrity
2. Ethical behaviour
3. Reliability and responsibility
4. Continuous learning and improvement
5. Collaboration and teamwork
6. Strong work ethic

PROFESSION                                                                                                                    

ENGINEERING IS A REGULATED PROFESSION                                                     

What Are Regulations?

Why Are Professions Regulated?

There are many reasons as who why professions are regulated. One of the main reasons is that the skills and knowledge used by members in each profession are not easily evaluated by the public. Having regulators prevents unqualified persons from practicing, sets standards of practice, and holds the people of the profession responsible.

Professions are also regulated to protect the public. There are four main categories of activity regulations work to address:

• Maintaining Standards
  • Regulations set forth standards of professional conduct and ethical behaviour [9]
• Quality Assurance
  • Regulatory bodies often establish criteria for education, training, and ongoing professional development to ensure that professionals stay current in their field [9]
• Disciplinary Process
  • Regulatory bodies have the authority to investigate and address complaints or allegations of professional misconduct [9]
• Standardization and Harmonization
  • Regulation can also promote the standardization and harmonization of many practices within a profession [9]

For a full discussion on regulated professions, review the document “What does it mean to be a regulated profession?”  by the Human Resources Professionals Association.

Examples of Regulated Professions

• Architecture
• Law
• Social Work
• Teaching
• Chiropractic
• Massage Therapy
• Medicine
• Engineering

Engineering Regulatory Bodies in Canada – Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO)             

What is PEO?

In Canada, engineering is regulated provincially.  A list of the regulatory bodies for engineering in each province and territory can be found on the Engineers Canada website.  In Ontario, Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) regulates the practice of professional engineering and governs its members to serve and protect the public interest by ensuring all professional engineers meet rigorous qualifications for licensing and that only properly qualified individuals practice engineering [10].

Responsibilities:

1. To establish, maintain and develop standards of knowledge and skill among its members
2. To establish, maintain and develop standards of qualification and standards of practice for the practice of professional engineering
3. To establish, maintain and develop standards of professional ethics among its members
4. To promote public awareness of the role of the association
5. To perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as are imposed or conferred on the association by or under any act

For additional information on the PEO, explore the links below:

What is PEO?

Role of PEO Council (Video)

PEO’s Public Protection Mandate (Video)

Responsibilities of PEO

References                                                                                                                                                

^{[8] C. Balthazard, “What it Means to be a Professional.” Human Resources Professionals Association, Aug. 2015.}

^{[9] C. Balthazard, “Professional Self-Regulation,” Feb. 2015.} 

^{[10] Professional Engineers Ontario, “What is PEO?.” peo.on.ca. https://www.peo.on.ca/about-peo/what-peo/learn-more-about-peo (accessed Aug. 22, 2023)}