Join the ASPB

The ASPB welcomes applicants from all disciplines of biology including, for example, aquatic biology, bacteriology, biotechnology, botany, ecology, entomology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, and zoology. ASPB members practice biology throughout Alberta in a variety of workplaces, including industry, consulting, government, non-government organizations, and academic institutions.

Membership Categories

There are five membership categories in the ASPB:

Professional Biologist (P. Biol.): This category designates individuals who fully meet requirements for academic, experience and good character. A P. Biol. has voting privileges in the ASPB, and may hold office as a Director or Officer. Only a P. Biol. may use the restricted title Professional Biologist or the abbreviations P Biol or P. Biol.

Biologist-in-Training (BIT): This category designates individuals who fully meet the academic requirements for membership, but do not have sufficient experience (i.e., three years) in the practice of biology.

Student Biologist: This category provides an opportunity for any student enrolled in a full-time program of biology at a Canadian university to be associated with the ASPB.

Temporary Withdrawn Biologist: This category allows P Biols to temporarily withdraw from the association for a period of up to two years, and may be reinstated as a P Biol upon written request to the Registrar. Temporary Withdrawn Biologists may not use the title of Professional Biologist or P. Biol. Many members apply for this status while on parental leave and out of the work force.

Associated Biologist: This category is intended to allow individuals who were P Biol, and who are no longer practicing biology in Alberta, to remain affiliated with the ASPB. Retired P Biol, or P Biol whose careers have taken them in other directions fit in this category.

Membership Fees

Membership fees are set annually at the ASPB Annual General Meeting. Membership fees for 2011 are:

• Professional Biologist (P. Biol.) – $250 per year
• Biologist-in-Training (BIT) – $50 per year
• Student Biologist – $25 per year
• Temporary Withdrawn Biology – $50 per year
• Associated Biologist – $50 per year

Eligibility for Membership

Professional Biologist (P. Biol.)

A P. Biol. in the ASPB must meet academic, experience, and good character and reputation requirements as outlined below.

Academic

A P. Biol. must hold an undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) in the biological sciences from a Canadian university, or equivalent. The Registration Committee considers a university degree is equivalent to a biology degree if it includes 25 science courses, of which 15 are in the biological sciences, and where four or more of the biological science courses are at a senior level (i.e., third or fourth-year).

An applicant should arrange for university transcripts and proof of degree to be sent directly from the university to the ASPB office. In some cases, the ASPB may request a candidate with a degree from an institution outside Canada to obtain an evaluation of foreign credentials.

Experience

A P. Biol. must have three or more years of practice in biology earned after graduation (i.e., after academic requirements have been met). Usually it is expected that The experience must have been obtained not more than five years prior to the application. An applicant with an M. Sc or Ph.D will be given one year’s biology practice credit.

An applicant should provide the ASPB with a resume which lists dates, location of experience, and details of the applicant’s role in the practice of biology. The practice of biology is defined as:
Inventorying, surveying, sampling, interpreting, reporting, evaluating and advising on activities related to biological sciences,

Preparing, administering and implementing plans or programs for managing biological resources,
Conducting research activities related to biological sciences, and
Teaching biological sciences at a university, college or technical institute.

Good Character and Reputation

A P. Biol. must be of good character and reputation.

An applicant should provide the names of three referees who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s professional experience as a biologist. At least one referee should be a P.Biol. If a P.Biol is not available who is familiar with the applicant’s conduct, a professional from another recognized professional organization will be acceptable. Preferred referees include the applicant’s current employer, previous employer or supervisor. Only two letters of reference will be accepted from a current employer.

All P. Biol. applicants must complete an ethics course as prescribed by the Association.

Biologist-in-Training (BIT)

A BIT is required to meet academic requirements for membership, but is not required to have experience in the practice of biology, and is not required to have referees.

An applicant for membership as a BIT in the ASPB must hold an undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) in the biological sciences from a Canadian university, or equivalent. The Registration Committee considers a university degree is equivalent to a biology degree if it includes 25 science courses, of which 15 are in the biological sciences, and where four or more of the biological science courses at a senior level (i.e., third or fourth-year).

An applicant should arrange for university transcripts and proof of degree to be sent directly from the university to the ASPB office. In some cases, the ASPB may request a candidate with a degree from an institution outside Canada to obtain an evaluation of foreign credentials.

Student Biologist

Any student enrolled full-time in a program of biology at a Canadian university is eligible for membership as a Student Biologist.

Individuals applying for membership as a Student Biologist must submit proof of full-time enrolment in a program of biology to the ASPB.

Registered Professional Biologists from British Columbia College of Applied Biology

On April 1, 2009, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) came into effect. The TILMA states that any worker certified for an occupation by a regulatory authority of British Columbia or Alberta shall be recognized as qualified to practice that occupation by the other province.

Under the TILMA, the ASPB is required to recognize any worker who is currently a Registered Professional Biologist (R.P. Bio.) in good standing with the British Columbia College of Applied Biology (BC-CAB) as eligible for registration as a Professional Biologist in Alberta.

An R.P.Bio from British Columbia who wishes to become a P. Biol. in Alberta is required to complete an ASPB membership application form, be confirmed as an R. P. Bio in good standing by the ASPB Registrar, and pay the full annual ASPB membership fee. All regulated members must also complete an ethics course as prescribed by the Association.

Temporary Withdrawn Biologist

A P. Biol. who wishes to withdraw temporarily from the ASPB may do so by notifying the Registrar. Within a period of two years from the notification, any Temporary Withdrawn Biologist in good standing will be reinstated as a P. Biol. or Associated Biologist upon written request to the Registrar and payment of applicable fees. A Temporary Withdrawn Biologist who does not apply for re-instatement within the two-year period, will be struck and subject to the full application process.

Associated Biologist

A P. Biol. or Temporarily Withdrawn Biologist who is no longer practicing biology in the province of Alberta may become an Associated Biologist upon written request to the Registrar and payment of applicable fees.