October 19, 2026 — British Columbia’s engineering regulator has announced a significant change to the way the profession recognizes advanced structural engineering qualifications. On September 29, 2026, Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) announced that its Board had directed the organization to discontinue the Designated Structural Engineer (Struct.Eng.) program through a phased transition. The transition is expected to take approximately two years; a detailed implementation timetable has not yet been finalized.
What is changing?
The Struct.Eng. designation recognizes additional structural engineering experience, education and examinations beyond professional engineer registration. It has not, by itself, granted additional reserved practice rights under EGBC’s regulatory framework. However, certain municipalities have used the designation as a qualification requirement for the design of primary structural systems in Part 3 buildings.
EGBC says the program review considered public safety, professional competence, municipal confidence and regulatory effectiveness. Rather than maintain the designation, the regulator intends to strengthen existing safeguards, including professional practice guidance, continuing education, independent review and oversight of structural engineering work. These measures are still being developed.
Does the decision change who can design buildings today?
No immediate blanket change should be assumed. EGBC’s current frequently asked questions identify Vancouver, Burnaby and Langley as municipalities that require the Struct.Eng. designation for certain Part 3 primary structural design work. The regulator says applicants may continue pursuing the designation during the transition if their work requires it, and existing designation holders may continue renewing it to meet applicable municipal or contractual requirements.
Vancouver’s published multi-unit residential building application checklist also specifies a Struct.Eng. for Part 3 structural design and references the Vancouver Building By-law. Project teams should therefore confirm current municipal requirements directly before appointing a structural designer or submitting permit documents. A future regulatory direction does not automatically amend a municipal by-law or a permit checklist.
What does this mean for residential and multiplex projects?
Not every residential project is a Part 3 building. The applicable code part depends on building characteristics and occupancy, not simply whether a development is described as a duplex, multiplex or apartment building. Many smaller residential projects are designed under Part 9, while larger or more complex developments may fall under Part 3.
For homeowners and small-scale developers, the practical message is to establish the correct building classification early. The designation transition does not remove the need for appropriate structural engineering, compliant design, professional responsibility or municipal approvals. For Part 3 projects, the selection of qualified professionals and the timing of independent reviews can be particularly important to the permit process.
What should project teams do now?
- Confirm the code pathway. Identify whether the project falls under Part 3 or Part 9 and which building by-law applies. Vancouver administers its own building by-law; requirements elsewhere in BC must be checked with the relevant authority.
- Verify designer qualifications. For a Part 3 project, check the municipality’s current rules on Struct.Eng. involvement and document the required professional roles before completing the design contract.
- Plan for reviews and assurance documents. Confirm the project’s independent structural review, letters of assurance and field-review requirements. These obligations should not be treated as cancelled by EGBC’s announcement.
- Monitor the transition. EGBC expects to communicate milestones, fee and reporting changes, and updated practice requirements as the plan develops. Review those notices before changing internal quality-management procedures.
What happens next?
As of October 19, 2026, the regulator’s published position is a phased discontinuation, not an immediately completed repeal of all designation-related requirements. EGBC anticipates consultation with affected professionals and municipalities before finalizing the implementation plan. Engineers, architects, builders and owners should avoid making procurement or permitting decisions based on an assumed effective date.
At Altin Engineering, we recommend early coordination between the structural engineer, architectural designer and permitting authority so that the project’s code classification, engineering scope and submission requirements are understood before permit drawings are finalized.
Official sources
EGBC announcement — September 29, 2026
EGBC Struct.Eng. transition FAQs
City of Vancouver — multi-unit residential building permit checklist
Information current to October 19, 2026. This article is general information, not a substitute for project-specific engineering advice or confirmation of applicable legislation and municipal requirements.