chemist

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Who is the licensing body responsible for Chemists in Alberta?
• What are the requirements for Internationally Educated Chemists?
• What are the educational requirements for Chemists in Alberta?
• What resources are available for Chemists in Alberta?
  

Who is the licensing body responsible for Chemists in Alberta?

In Alberta, you must be a registered member of the Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (ACPA) to call yourself a professional chemist.

What are the requirements for Internationally Educated Chemists?

1. Applicants will need one year of Canadian or American work experience plus one year of additional work experience to obtain P.Chem. status. If applicants have the academic qualifications but lack the Canadian work experience, applicants may be eligible for the Chemist in Training (CIT) designation. Once the two years of Canadian work experience has been obtained, applicants can apply to the ACPA for P.Chem. status. It is also important to note that chemists in Alberta are not required to be licensed. However, many employers require the P.Chem. or CIT designation.
    
2. Applicants must submit copies of the following:
   
   • photocopies of degree(s) that have been signed by a Notary Public, an ACPA registered Professional Chemist or a member of another approved registered profession
   • original academic transcripts
   • an International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) evaluation,
   • a resume
   • the application fee
    
3. All required documents must be translated into English by a certified translator. The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta provides translation services.
   

What are the educational requirements for Chemists in Alberta?

(Note: Licensing bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)

Most chemists begin their post-secondary education by taking a four year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in chemistry, then go on to a master's (M.Sc.) or doctoral (PhD) level. In general, the entrance requirement for a master's degree program in chemistry is an acceptable average in a four year B.Sc. degree program in chemistry (or equivalent). A PhD is often required for research and post-secondary teaching positions.
In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions offer four year degree programs in chemistry.

• Concordia University College of Alberta in Edmonton
• The King's University College in Edmonton
• University of Alberta in Edmonton and Camrose
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge
  

Additional Occupational Information

For more information on occupational duties, salaries etc. visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at. www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Chemist under Occupational Information.

What resources are available for Chemists in Alberta?

Canadian Society of Chemistry (CSC)
website: www.chemistry.ca

CIC Edmonton Section
website: www.cicedmonton.org

                                                                                                        Last Updated: May 2009