Trainees are registrants who have completed the academic requirements for registration in their chosen field, but are in the process of gaining the requisite experience before they may register as practising technologists, technicians, or technical specialists.

A trainee registrant may only engage in applied science and engineering technology practice while under supervision in accordance with section 40 of ASTTBC Bylaws. A supervisor must be a registrant in good standing of a regulatory body designated under the Professional Governance Act who has at least three years’ experience and practices in the same area as their student or trainee. The credentials committee or the registrar may renew trainee registration annually to a maximum period of five years from the date of the registrant’s first renewal as a trainee.

Additional details about ASTTBC registration requirements can be found in the ASTTBC Bylaws.

Associate and Provisional Registrants Phasing Out

Until December 31, 2020 registrants who had completed some but not all requirements for registration as practising technologists, technicians, or technical specialists were registered as associate or provisional registrants. ASTTBC is no longer registering new associate and provisional registrants.

Associate or provisional registrants registered while the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians Act and regulation was still in effect (prior to December 31, 2020) and who do not meet the requirements in section 36 of ASTTBC bylaws until December 31, 2022, may be granted practising registration by the credentials committee.

As a result of the Professional Governance Act coming into force, those still registered as associate and provisional registrants will need to apply for reclassification as Trainees before January 1, 2023.