How to Apply

General Application Info

Application Process and General Timeline

Stage 1: Submission and Initial Processing (duration determined by applicant)

1. Open and Submit Your Application along with all materials as specified (detailed steps below).
2. Processing by ASPB Staff: Once your application is "Opened", our staff will begin processing it as materials are received (an application is considered "Opened" once the application checkout is completed - see step 16 below). Your application status will be updated to "Submitted" once all required materials have been received (transcripts, supporting documentation if needed, references if needed).

Stage 2: Review by the Registrar (currently 4-6 months)

1. Timing: Anywhere from 4 to 6 months after submission, your application will be reviewed by the ASPB Registrar and/or Deputy Registrar to determine if it is "Complete".
2. Additional Information: Upon review the application will be deemed "Complete" and placed in front of the Registration Committee for assessment or it may be deemed incomplete and you will be contacted directly to supply any missing information within 30 days. The additional information will be reviewed upon receipt and if it is sufficient to make the application complete, the application will be placed in front of the Registration Committee. If no response or action is taken within the 30 days, the application may: (1) Be placed in front of the Registration Committee as submitted, if deemed complete enough to be assessed, (2) Be deemed Abandoned, if critical information is not supplied (transcripts, up to date documentation).

Stage 3: Final Decision by the Registration Committee (currently 1-2 months)

1. Committee Assessment: Your application will be assessed by the Registration Committee. With the implementation of the Fair Registration Practices Act, the ASPB is required to render a decision (interim or final) within 6 months of determining an application Complete (this includes Stage 2 and 3).
2. Outcome: Based on the assessment, you will either be offered registration, deferred (requesting further information), or declined.
3. Notification: You will be notified of the Committee's decision through the contact information provided in your application.

1. 1. ​Upon Approval – the applicant must complete the acceptance of the offer of registration by paying the registration fee and filling out any required information, forms, tests, or examinations.
   2. Upon Deferral – the applicant must respond to the request for further information or conditions within a specified period to move the assessment forward.
      
   3. Upon Denial – the applicant will be provided with the reasons for the decision, the requirements to become successful in a future application, and a process to appeal the decision.

Create a Profile

Please carefully review the registration requirements page and the Registration Policy Handbook, then decide which registration you are eligible to apply for based on your education and experience. 

If you don't already have an account, create one here.

For additional information read the FAQ.

Open Your Application

Please Note: The information provided here is intended as a general guide for P. Biol. applications. Specific applications and requirements may vary depending on the registration you are applying for (such as Student, In Training, Temporary Withdrawn).

Step 1: Once you have created an account, click on My Dashboard in the top right. You can open an application on your dashboard by scrolling down to the "Application History" section and selecting Apply to Join, Reclassify, or Provide a Change of Status Notification. Once you have opened the application, click Save and Continue.

Step 2: Select the registration you are applying for based on the requirements.

Step 3: Enter your personal information.

Step 4: Enter your degree/diploma information for credentials you will be using to meet the educational requirements.

Step 5: Enter the credits for all courses completed that you are using to meet the academic requirements of your application. This includes identifying relevant science and biological science coursework, as well as any senior-level courses where applicable. If you are using work-to-course equivalency, you must also enter the applicable work experience in this step. Ensure that the experience clearly corresponds to the course content you are claiming.

If you are reclassifying with no new education and your education has already been assessed by the ASPB, you may skip this step.

Step 6: Confirm that your Canadian transcripts or WES/IQAS assessments will be provided. Educational documentation must be sent directly to the ASPB by the Institution. The preferred method for Canadian transcript delivery is electronically through MyCreds. Please submit all transcripts, missing transcripts may delay your assessment and result an incomplete application.

Canadian Post-Secondary Transcripts can be sent electronically through their third-party provider (for example, MyCreds) to [email protected] or by mail to the ASPB office. 

International Post-Secondary Transcripts must have a SPECIALIZED ASSESSMENT by IQAS or a Comprehensive Course-by-Course Report from WES sent directly to the ASPB office (thesis based degrees with no courses may submit a base assessment).

If you are in good standing with ASPB (annual registration fees paid), you are not required to resubmit transcripts for education that has already been evaluated as part of a previous application (e.g., BIT, BTT, RBIT). Applicants reclassifying from BIT or RBIT to P.Biol. or R.Biol. do not need to resubmit transcripts. Once your reclassification application has been submitted and paid, please email [email protected] to request that your previously submitted transcripts be re-uploaded.

Please note that your application may not automatically show transcripts as “received.” ASPB administration will review and confirm that your application relies on previously assessed education.

If you are submitting an MSc or PhD toward your application, you must provide conferred transcripts. All transcripts, including undergraduate degrees, must show that the credential has been conferred.

Step 7: Enter your main biological discipline, select your area(s) of practice and experience level, and provide additional background information including prior ASPB registration, education and experience level, and any current or intended professional designations (e.g., wetland or reclamation practitioner).

Step 8: Enter your relevant professional experience in biology, including roles, responsibilities, and duration of work used to demonstrate that you meet the practice requirements for your application.

Step 9: If required or requested, submit your Character and Reputation Declaration.

Step 10: If required or requested, Enter your References. 

Contact the referee to secure participation and ensure the referee can comment on your work, character, and ethics. One of them must be a full professional member in good standing of a regulated professional association (P.Eng., P. Ag., P.Chem., RPF, etc.), with a strong preference for a P.Biol. One of your references should be from your current or past supervisor, and at least one reference should be from someone outside your current place of work. Be mindful of situations where a conflict of interest in the reference may be identified and another reference may be requested. Referees must not be a relative (Spouse/Partner, sibling, child, parent, in-law). Enter referee emails in the portal and the database will contact the referee.

Step 11: Read Stamp and Certificate information and input your shipping address. Please note that the ASPB only ships to Canadian addresses; international shipping is not available.

Step 12: Submit your professional declaration that the information submitted is correct.

Step 13: Review your application.

Step 14: Confirm your billing address.

Step 15: Checkout and pay the application fee (view application and registration fees here).

Step 16: An application is "Opened" once fees are paid. Check your email to confirm that the application and Order Receipt have been received.