Benefits of Hiring a BCAPA Member
What are the benefits of hiring a member of the British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists (BCAPA)?
You can have confidence BCAPA members meet educational and experience requirements for their respective membership category.
Did you know the province does not regulate who can practice archaeology in BC? They only regulate who can hold Heritage Conservation Act permits and who can act as approved Field Directors under those permits.
The BCAPA is regularly contacted by members of the public, government agencies, proponents, and First Nations representatives about people working as archaeologists in their region or territory who may not have the education or experience to act as a professional archaeologist in BC. BCAPA members are required to meet the education and experience requirements for their membership category . In addition, the BCAPA lists all current members AND their membership category on our website, so you can be sure when you hire a BCAPA member, they will meet the requirements of their membership category. The BCAPA’s membership list is updated regularly.
Many organizations, agencies, and proponents use BCAPA membership categories, such as Registered Professional, as a benchmark for assessing the qualifications and professional standing of archaeological practitioners. Eligibility for BCAPA membership is subject to a peer-review process, and applicants must meet established education and experience requirements for their respective membership category.
The BCAPA’s membership categories incorporate defined standards of academic training and professional experience, providing assurance that members have met recognized qualifications for archaeological practice in British Columbia. To support transparency, the BCAPA maintains a publicly accessible membership directory on its website that lists all current members and their membership categories. The membership list is updated regularly, allowing clients, communities, government agencies, and other interested parties to verify that a BCAPA member meets the requirements associated with their designated membership category.
Members of the BCAPA are required to abide by a set of ethics and code of conduct not currently required by the Province to practice archaeology in BC.
When you hire a BCAPA member, you can be confident they will adhere to these principles:
- uphold the spirit and intent of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act;
- meet responsibilities to clients, fellow archaeologists, and First Nations;
- respect and preserve the archaeological record;
- continuously develop their professional skills, and;
- act with integrity while complying with all applicable laws.
In addition, the code of conduct asserts that members shall not engage with archaeological work for which the Member is not qualified.
The BCAPA has a robust grievance procedure in the event a member is suspected of unprofessional conduct or of not adhering to the code of conduct or ethics listed in our bylaws.
In the event a proponent, First Nations representative, other member, government agency, or member of the public suspects a member of the BCAPA has violated the organization’s code of conduct or ethics, the BCAPA has a robust grievance procedure which formally reviews the suspected unprofessional conduct and makes recommendations for further action based on the review. Should it be determined a breach has occurred, disciplinary actions can range from a reprimand to expulsion of a member, depending on the severity of the breach.