For engineers and geoscientists aiming to achieve professional licensure, the APEGS Competency Assessment is a vital step in validating their experience. Understanding how the assessment is structured—and particularly how the competencies are categorized—is crucial for a strong submission. The process involves more than just documenting work; it requires aligning your experience with a clearly defined framework.

In this article, we break down the APEGS Report into its core competency categories, explain what each one means, and provide guidance on how to effectively write your examples within each category.

What Is the APEGS Competency Assessment?

The apegs competency assessment is a system used by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan to evaluate work experience for those applying to become professional engineers (P.Eng.) or professional geoscientists (P.Geo.).

Rather than submitting a general resume or reference letters, candidates must complete a structured APEGS Report in which they demonstrate 34 distinct competencies. These competencies are grouped into five main categories. Each competency must be supported with specific examples from the applicant’s work history, and validated by a qualified professional (assessor).

Why Competency Categories Matter

Each category in the apegs competency assessment represents a critical area of professional practice. They are designed to ensure that applicants possess not only the technical knowledge necessary for safe and effective work but also the professional, ethical, and leadership skills needed in today’s engineering and geoscience environments.

Understanding each category helps:

• Focus your writing
• Identify suitable experience examples
• Ensure a balanced and complete application
• Meet the minimum scoring requirements

The 5 APEGS Competency Assessment Categories

Let’s explore the five categories of the APEGS Competency Assessment in detail. Each category contains a number of individual competencies that applicants must address in their report.

Technical Competence

Number of Competencies: 10

This category assesses your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. It includes analysis, design, problem-solving, risk assessment, and technical decision-making. Your responses must reflect how you’ve used engineering or geoscientific principles to achieve project goals.

✅ What to Demonstrate:

• Depth of technical knowledge
• Ability to apply theory in practice
• Use of industry codes and standards
• Analytical thinking and innovation

📝 Tips for Writing:

• Use complex projects that had a significant technical challenge.
• Highlight your role, not just the team’s accomplishments.
• Reference specific standards, tools, or methods you applied.

🔍 Example Competencies in This Category:

• Application of theory
• Practical experience
• Safety awareness in design
• Risk assessment and mitigation

Communication

Number of Competencies: 3

Communication is essential in professional practice. This category evaluates how effectively you communicate technical and non-technical information to different audiences, including team members, clients, and the public.

✅ What to Demonstrate:

• Clear written and oral communication
• Tailoring language to audience
• Presenting technical information concisely
• Documenting work and maintaining records

📝 Tips for Writing:

• Mention emails, reports, presentations, or technical manuals you’ve written.
• Include examples where communication avoided misunderstandings or solved issues.
• Talk about collaboration across departments or cultures.

🔍 Example Competencies in This Category:

• Oral communication
• Written communication
• Communication with stakeholders

3. Project and Financial Management

Number of Competencies: 5

In this category, the focus shifts to managing time, budgets, and resources. Engineers and geoscientists must understand how their work fits into larger projects and the financial and logistical implications of their decisions.

✅ What to Demonstrate:

• Planning and scheduling skills
• Budgeting and cost control
• Resource allocation
• Project tracking and reporting

📝 Tips for Writing:

• Provide specific timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
• Use real examples where you improved efficiency or reduced costs.
• Show how you monitored and adjusted plans as projects progressed.

🔍 Example Competencies in This Category:

• Planning and organizing
• Managing project costs
• Monitoring progress and performance
• Managing risk within projects

Teamwork and Leadership

Number of Competencies: 6

Engineering and geoscience are rarely solo professions. This category focuses on your ability to work within teams, lead others, mentor juniors, and manage conflicts.

✅ What to Demonstrate:

• Collaborative problem-solving
• Leadership or supervisory roles
• Conflict resolution
• Coaching and mentoring

📝 Tips for Writing:

• Don’t just say you were part of a team—explain your impact.
• Include examples where you delegated tasks or helped resolve disputes.
• Highlight any leadership development you undertook.

🔍 Example Competencies in This Category:

• Working effectively with others
• Leading teams or projects
• Managing team dynamics
• Mentoring junior staff

Professional Accountability

Number of Competencies: 10

This is one of the most important categories. It assesses your ethical integrity, understanding of regulations, professional obligations, and commitment to continuing development.

✅ What to Demonstrate:

• Compliance with laws and regulations
• Ethical decision-making
• Understanding of sustainability
• Awareness of professional responsibility
• Commitment to lifelong learning

📝 Tips for Writing:

• Reference actual situations where ethical judgment was required.
• Discuss your understanding of the professional code of conduct.
• Mention training, certifications, or learning initiatives you’ve completed.

🔍 Example Competencies in This Category:

• Ethical responsibilities
• Understanding legal obligations
• Commitment to public safety
• Continuing professional development (CPD)

Scoring the Competencies

Each of the 34 competencies is rated on a scale from 0 to 5 by your assessors. A minimum score of 1 in every competency is required, and your average score across all competencies must meet a specified threshold. The higher the level of autonomy and responsibility demonstrated, the better your score.

Key Strategies to Excel in Each Category

🔹 Choose Strong Examples

Use diverse and challenging projects to demonstrate different competencies. Avoid repeating the same example for multiple competencies unless necessary.

🔹 Be Specific

Quantify your results wherever possible (e.g., “reduced project costs by 15%,” “led a team of 5 engineers”).

🔹 Use the STAR Method

Structure your answers using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) format. This ensures clarity and shows progression.

🔹 Align with the Rubric

Each competency has a detailed rubric available in the APEGS Competency Assessment Guide. Refer to it while writing your APEGS Report to ensure your response meets the expectations.

Importance of Assessors

Every entry in your apegs competency assessment must be validated by an assessor—a licensed P.Eng. or P.Geo. with direct knowledge of your work. They must:

• Rate your competencies
• Provide optional comments to support their ratings
• Confirm the accuracy of your claims

Select assessors carefully, and communicate clearly about what is expected from them.

Conclusion

Understanding the five APEGS Competency Assessment categories is the foundation of a successful licensure application. Each category plays a critical role in evaluating your readiness for independent professional practice. The APEGS Report is more than a formality—it’s your opportunity to showcase your skills, professionalism, and ethical awareness.

By aligning your work experience with these categories, writing clearly, and selecting appropriate assessors, you set yourself on a confident path toward professional recognition. Whether you are just beginning or refining your report, a solid understanding of the competency framework is essential for success.

FAQs: APEGS Competency Assessment

How many competencies are included in the APEGS Report?

The APEGS Report includes 34 competencies divided into five categories: Technical Competence, Communication, Project and Financial Management, Teamwork and Leadership, and Professional Accountability. Each must be completed with specific, real-world examples and assessed by a licensed professional who can validate your experience.

Can I use the same project across multiple competencies?

Yes, you can use the same project for multiple competencies, but you must describe different aspects of your role in each one. Repeating the same tasks across several entries weakens your report. Highlight distinct responsibilities and learning outcomes for each competency you address.

What is the minimum experience required for the APEGS Report?

You must demonstrate at least 48 months (4 years) of relevant engineering or geoscience work experience. This must include a minimum of 12 months in a jurisdiction with similar professional standards. The experience must be progressively responsible and show growth in competency and independence.

Do I need different assessors for each competency?

Not necessarily. A single assessor can validate multiple competencies if they’ve supervised your work across various projects. However, you may require more than one assessor if your experience spans multiple roles, companies, or supervisors who oversaw different parts of your work history.