Engineering and Geoscience Professions Amendment Act, 2023

Summary#

• This Alberta law changes who can use the title “software engineer.”

• It lets people and companies use “software engineer” (and later, other similar titles the government may list) even if they are not licensed professional engineers.

• It does not let them claim they are licensed or do work that only licensed engineers can do.

• Key changes:

  • Allows the job title “software engineer” to be used without a professional engineering licence.
  • Clarifies that using this title does not mean someone is licensed or allowed to practice regulated engineering.
  • Lets the Minister list other allowed titles similar to “software engineer” later by regulation.
  • Keeps all other limits on using “engineer” in place for fields like civil, mechanical, electrical, and others.

What it means for you#

• Workers in tech

  • You can call yourself a “software engineer” in Alberta without holding a P.Eng. licence.
  • You still cannot say you are a licensed engineer or do work that the law reserves for licensed engineers.
  • Your resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and business cards can use “software engineer” without extra risk.

• Employers and recruiters

  • You can post and hire for “software engineer” roles without needing candidates to have a P.Eng., unless the job includes regulated engineering work.
  • Fewer worries about title-related complaints or takedown requests for job ads.
  • Watch for future regulations that may name other allowed titles similar to “software engineer.”

• Licensed engineers (P.Eng.) and the regulator

  • Protection of the “engineer” title remains for most fields; the exception is for “software engineer” and any future, similar titles the Minister lists.
  • The right to practice engineering stays limited to licensed people and permit-holding companies.
  • Enforcement can focus more on actual practice of engineering and misleading claims, rather than on the specific software title.

• Students, new grads, and newcomers

  • Clearer path to use the common tech job title “software engineer” without extra licensing steps.
  • If you want to practice regulated engineering (outside typical software roles), you still need to meet licensing rules.

• Public and customers

  • You will see “software engineer” used more often in job titles and ads.
  • This change does not lower safety rules for work that legally requires a licensed engineer.
  • People using “software engineer” are not automatically licensed professional engineers.

Expenses#

• Estimated direct government cost: minimal (mainly administrative work to set and communicate any added titles).

• Possible effects:

  • Small government costs to write and update regulations.
  • Fewer enforcement disputes over job titles could reduce costs for the regulator.
  • Employers may save time and legal costs related to job postings and titles.

Proponents' View#

• Aligns Alberta with common industry language, making it easier to recruit and keep tech talent.
• Supports growth in the tech sector by removing a barrier to using a global, well‑known job title.
• Keeps public safety intact because it does not change who may do regulated engineering work.
• Reduces red tape and legal uncertainty for companies and workers.
• Provides flexibility to add similar titles by regulation if needed.

Opponents' View#

• May blur the meaning of “engineer” for the public and weaken the exclusivity of the title.
• Software can affect safety (for example, in medical or industrial systems), so some worry about unlicensed people using an engineering title.
• Could make it harder for the regulator to protect titles and standards across all fields.
• Uncertainty about which other titles will be allowed until regulations are issued.
• Differences with other provinces’ rules may create confusion for workers and employers moving across Canada.