Benefits to the Public
To protect the public, the Agrology Profession Act provides the AIA with broad legal powers and duties to monitor the practice of agrology.
- Individuals may register as regulated members of the AIA to practice agrology only if they meet the education entrance standard and are of good character and reputation.
- Individuals must register if they meet the education entrance standard and intend to practice agrology or supervise others.
- Regulated members must
- adhere to professional practice standards that identify knowledge, skill, experience, and judgment required to practice agrology competently.
- practice only in areas in which they are qualified to practice competently.
- maintain good character and reputation.
- comply with all rules, including laws, regulations, bylaws, practice standards, continuing competence requirements, and the Code of Ethics.
- complete annual continuing competence training.
The profession must share in the government’s responsibility to protect the health and welfare of all who could be affected by professional services. Agrologists are expected to use their specialized knowledge to promote the public good, consistently placing the public interest above their own interests.
The public may register a complaint with the profession if unprofessional conduct occurs. The AIA will investigate and correct unprofessional conduct.
Benefits to the Professional
The Agrology Profession Act authorizes the self-regulation of agrology. The profession enjoys the privilege of the legal authority to monitor the conduct of its members, under the supervision of the government and the legislature. Agrologists fill official regulatory positions by acting as members of the council, registration committee, and hearing tribunals, and the Complaints Director, Hearings Director, and Registrar. These officials are authorized to, among other things:
- set education entrance standards
- create the profession’s Training Rules, Continuing Competence Program Rules, and Code of Ethics
- develop practice areas, accompanied by detailed Practice Standards
- determine practice permit conditions
- engage in strategic foresight planning
Regulated members receive a permit to practice the profession. Permits can include professional signoff for significant government programs (a result of the AIA’s work with Alberta Environment to extend signoff to professions).
In exchange for the privilege of self-regulation, the profession must fund itself through registration fees, set aside member interests, objectively enforce the law to prevent harm, and hold accountable those who cause harm.
Self-regulation can be revoked if the profession fails to protect and serve the public interest. However, self-regulation done well increases the public’s trust in those who are licensed to practice the profession.