The College Entrance Requirements
There are standard requirements for entrance to the College for each category:
- Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio)
- Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech)
- Applied Biology Technician (ABT)
For the in Training categories:
- Biologist in Training (BIT)
- RBTech in Training or Trainee (RBTech)
- ABT in Training or Trainee (ABT)
- Student
Individuals’ applications are assessed on:
- Knowledge (academics and education)
- Skills and abilities
- College mandatory training (e.g. professional ethics) and declarations.
This self-assessment covers 1) knowledge (academics and education), 2) skills and abilities of the entrance requirements. The third requirement, College mandatory training, is required after an individual’s application has been assessed as meeting the knowledge and skills and abilities requirements.
The College has 6 registrant and 1 non-registrant categories for Applied Biology professionals in BC. They are:
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Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio, R.P.Bio.) or Professional Biologist
An RPBio has at least 3 years work experience in applied biology post bachelor’s degree and is qualified to address issues that impact sustainability and to make or review management recommendations on aquatic and terrestrial species and ecosystems. RPBio work independently, or as part of multidisciplinary teams with other professionals including but not limited to other biology, forestry, engineering, geoscientist, agrology and applied science professionals. They have full authority granted by the College to sign off and seal work products, as long as they work within their area of expertise.
There are 4 streams of entrance for the RPBio registrant category. Each stream allows for a person to have followed a different pathway to meet all the registration requirements. The streams and specific requirements for registration for each stream is outlined in detail in Schedule 3 of the College Rules.
Biologist in Training (BIT or B.I.T.)
This category is limited to 6 years, which allows an individual the time to gain the work experience, report preparation or both required to apply for the RPBio category.
In Training or Trainee registrants have met the academic standards of the associated category, RPBio, RBTech or ABT, but have not met additional requirements such as work experience, report preparation, scientific communication or a combination of these requirements. In Training or Trainee registrants do not have authority to sign off or seal work documents.
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Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech or R.B.Tech.)
A RBTech has at least 2 years of post-diploma work experience in applied biology and works independently and as a team member with other professionals in multidisciplinary teams including, but not limited to, other biology, forestry, engineering, geoscientist, agrology and applied science professionals. RBTech registrants in good standing with the College have full authority granted by the College to sign off and seal work products, as long as they work within their area of expertise.
There are 3 streams of entrance for the RBTech registrant category. Each stream allows for a person to have followed a different pathway to meet all the registration requirements. The streams and specific requirements for registration for each stream is outlined in detail in Schedule 3 of the College Rules.
Registered Biology Technologist in Training
(Trainee RBTech or Trainee R.B.Tech.) This category is limited to 6 years, which allows an individual the time to gain the work experience, report preparation or both required to apply for the RBTech category.
In Training or Trainee registrants have met the academic standards of the associated category, RPBio, RBTech or ABT, but have not met additional requirements such as work experience, report preparation, scientific communication or a combination of these requirements. In Training or Trainee registrants do not have authority to sign off or seal work documents.
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Applied Biology Technician (ABT or A.B.T.)
An ABT works under the supervision of another regulated resource professional such as RPBio, RBTech, Registered Professional Forester (RPF) or Registered Forest Technologist (RFT) as a team member within their area of expertise.
There are three streams of entrance for the ABT registrant category. Each stream allows for a person to have followed a different pathway to meet all the registration requirements. The streams and specific requirements for registration for each stream is outlined in detail in Schedule 3 of the College Rules.
Applied Biology Technician in Training
(Trainee ABT or Trainee A.B.T.). This category is limited to 6 years, which allows an individual the time to gain the work experience required to apply for the ABT category.
In Training or Trainee registrants have met the academic standards of the associated category, RPBio, RBTech or ABT, but have not met additional requirements such as work experience, report preparation, scientific communication or a combination of these requirements. In Training or Trainee registrants do not have authority to sign off or seal work documents.
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A student is an individual who has not as yet completed a Bachelor’s degree. To be a student in the College, an individual has to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 courses per semester at a post-secondary institution in a program leading to education credentials suitable for meeting the admission requirements of the College.
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