Training to General Register
Before AIA members can be granted their PAg or RTAg designation, they will need to demonstrate to the Registration Committee that they are competent to practice in at least one practice area and thus meet the requirements of the detailed practice standard for that practice area. Members will be required to provide a self-assessment of their education and experience (resume using the AIA resume template) against a practice standard and have that assessment formally reviewed and approved by the Registration Committee before being granted either the PAg or RTAg designation. The core knowledge subject areas in each practice standard must be supported by courses taken from a post-secondary education institution recognized by the Registration Committee.
It is important to understand that the practice standards provide the following objectives:
- Identify and define the knowledge requirements (education, experience, skill sets) and performance requirements for professional practice within the PA;
- Provide documentation of the requirements indicated above so that regulated members of AIA may assess their knowledge against this standard and thereby identify learning needs to ensure they meet the standard;
- Provide a standard against which a member’s professional practice may be reviewed by a peer review committee to assist them in identifying areas that may need improvement;
- Provide a mechanism whereby AIA can demonstrate that the profession is managed in a manner that protects the interests of the public in matters related to agricultural marketing and sales work conducted by regulated members of the AIA.
ATT to AIT OR RTAg to PAg
An ATT can be changed to a AIT and a RTAg can be changed to a PAg only when they demonstrate that they have obtained the equivalent of a 4 year, 120 credit baccalaureate degree, including the courses required by the AIA Council, from a post-secondary education institution with research and teaching capabilities.