O. Reg. 309/25: GENERAL, SURVEYORS ACT
ontario regulation 309/25
made under the
Surveyors Act
Made: December 4, 2025
Approved: December 11, 2025
Filed: December 12, 2025
Published on e-Laws: December 12, 2025
Published in The Ontario Gazette: December 27, 2025
Amending Reg. 1026 of R.R.O. 1990
(GENERAL)
1. (1) The definition of “member” in section 1 of Regulation 1026 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 is amended by adding “and does not include retired, associate or honorary members” at the end.
(2) The definition of “professional member” in section 1 of the Regulation is revoked.
(3) The definition of “project” in section 1 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
“project” means a planned activity or work conducted over a period of time for a client by which a member advises or gives an opinion on matters related to the practice of cadastral surveying or the practice of professional surveying; (“projet”)
(4) Section 1 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following definition:
“term of articles” means the period of time which includes the completion of work experience, assignments and examinations by an articling student as may be required in the by-laws. (“stage”)
2. (1) Section 3 of the Regulation is amended by revoking the portion before clause (a) and substituting the following:
3. A member, except for the holder of a temporary licence, is eligible for election to the Council if, in addition to any requirements under the Act,
. . . . .
(2) Section 3 of the Regulation is amended by striking out “and” at the end of clause (b) and by revoking clause (c) and substituting the following:
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not subject to any order of the Complaints Committee; and
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is not under suspension.
3. (1) Subsection 4 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “six members of the Association, of whom” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “six members of the Association, excluding holders of temporary licences, of whom”.
(2) Section 4 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) A member, except for the holder of a temporary licence, is eligible to be appointed to the Nominating Committee if, in addition to any requirements under the Act,
(a) the member is not in default of payment of any fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(b) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not before the Discipline Committee or the member is not subject to any order of that Committee;
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not subject to any order of the Complaints Committee; and
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is not under suspension.
4. Subsection 5 (4) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “each member” and substituting “each member, except holders of temporary licences”.
5. Section 6 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(5) Members who are holders of temporary licences are not qualified to vote.
6. (1) Subsection 7 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “the President” and substituting “the Registrar”.
(2) Subsection 7 (2) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “At 10 a.m. on the day that is” at the beginning of the portion before clause (a) and substituting “At least”.
(3) Clause 7 (2) (b) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “in a book provided for that purpose by the Council” at the end.
7. Section 10 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
10. An elected member of Council may be disqualified from sitting on the Council by way of a motion of Council if:
(a) the member is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Council;
(b) the member is in default of payment of any fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or the by-laws of the Association;
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is subject to any order of the Discipline Committee or Complaints Committee; or
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is under suspension.
8. Section 12 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) A member, except for the holder of a temporary licence, is eligible for the Executive Committee if, in addition to any requirements under the Act,
(a) the member is not in default of payment of any fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(b) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not before the Discipline Committee or the member is not subject to any order of that Committee;
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not subject to any order of the Complaints Committee; and
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is not under suspension.
9. (1) Clause 13 (1) (b) of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
(b) at least five persons appointed for a term of three years by the Council who are members of the Association but not members of the Council; and
(2) Section 13 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) A member, except for the holder of a temporary licence, is eligible to be appointed to the Academic and Experience Requirements Committee if, in addition to any requirements under the Act,
(a) the member is not in default of payment of any fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(b) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not before the Discipline Committee or the member is not subject to any order of that Committee;
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not subject to any order of the Complaints Committee; and
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is not under suspension.
10. (1) Clauses 14 (1) (a) to (c) of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:
(a) four or more members of the Association who are not members of the Council to be appointed from time to time by the Council; and
(b) one of the members of the Council appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to be appointed to this Committee from time to time by the Council.
(2) Section 14 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) A member, except for the holder of a temporary licence, is eligible to be appointed to the Registration Committee if, in addition to any requirements under the Act,
(a) the member is not in default of payment of any fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(b) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not before the Discipline Committee or the member is not subject to any order of that Committee;
(c) the issue of the member’s professional conduct or competence is not subject to any order of the Complaints Committee; and
(d) the member’s licence, limited licence or certificate of registration is not under suspension.
(3) Subsection 14 (2) of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
(2) Three members of the Registration Committee constitute a quorum.
11. Sections 15 and 16 of the Regulation are revoked.
12. (1) Clauses 19 (1) (c) and (d) of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:
(c) whose professional conduct or competence was not the subject of proceedings before the Discipline Committee and was not subject to an order by the Complaints Committee, at the time of resignation;
(d) whose licence, limited licence, temporary licence or certificate of registration was not under suspension at the time of resignation; and
(2) Subsection 19 (3) of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
(3) Retired members may use the designation “O.L.S. (Ret.)”, “A.-G.O. (Ret.)”, “O.L.S. LL (Ret.)” or “A.-G.O. PR (Ret.)” after their names.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), a person who was the holder of a temporary licence is not eligible to be a retired member.
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a retired member who obtained a temporary licence pursuant to subsection 23.2 (2) and wishes to become a retired member again following the cancellation or expiry of their temporary licence.
13. Subsection 21 (1) of the Regulation is amended by adding “and was not a member at the time of that service” after “Association”.
14. Sections 23 and 24 of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:
23. (1) For the purposes of subsection 12 (1) of the Act, the Registrar shall issue a licence or limited licence to an applicant who submits an application in accordance with section 25 of this Regulation and,
(a) has completed the academic requirements specified in the by-laws;
(b) has applied for a term of articles in accordance with section 25.1 and satisfied the requirements of the term of articles as specified in the by-laws;
(c) has passed any examinations specified in the by-laws; and
(d) satisfies the requirements of clauses (a), (b) and (e) of subsection 12 (1) of the Act.
(2) The Registrar may issue a licence or limited licence under subsection (1) with terms, conditions or limitations.
23.1 (1) For the purposes of subsection 12 (1.1) of the Act, where there is a need to address an emergency situation, the Registrar shall issue a temporary licence to any applicant who submits an application in accordance with section 25 of this Regulation, if the applicant,
(a) is a surveyor who holds a licence in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to a licence issued under the Act;
(b) possesses the experience requirements specified in the by-laws; and
(c) satisfies the requirements of clauses (a) and (c) of subsection 12 (1.1) of the Act.
(2) The Registrar may issue a temporary licence under subsection (1) with terms, conditions or limitations.
(3) A temporary licence shall terminate automatically if the surveyor’s equivalent licence from the other jurisdiction is revoked, suspended or expired.
23.2 (1) For the purposes of subsection 12 (1.2) of the Act, the Registrar shall issue a licence or limited licence to a retired member who submits an application in accordance with section 25 of this Regulation and satisfies,
(a) the academic requirements specified in the by-laws; and
(b) the requirements of clauses (a) and (c) of subsection 12 (1.2) of the Act.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 12 (1.2) of the Act, where there is a need to address an emergency situation, the Registrar shall issue a temporary licence to any retired member who submits an application in accordance with section 25 of this Regulation and satisfies,
(a) the academic requirements specified in the by-laws; and
(b) the requirements of clauses (a) and (c) of subsection 12 (1.2) of the Act.
15. (1) Subsection 25 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licence” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “licence, limited licence”.
(2) Subsection 25 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “and” at the clause of (e) and by revoking clause (f) and substituting the following:
(f) proof of having met the qualifications and requirements prescribed in the by-laws, as applicable; and
(g) the mailing address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the applicant.
(3) Section 25 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsections:
(1.1) An applicant for a temporary licence shall file with the Registrar an application accompanied by,
(a) payment of the annual fee for the current calendar year, pro-rated for the period from the first day of the month in which the application is filed until the end of December in that year;
(b) payment of any other fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(c) proof of professional liability insurance coverage, an application for it or an application for an exemption from it;
(d) two letters attesting to the applicant’s good character;
(e) proof of having met the qualifications and requirements prescribed in the by-laws, as applicable;
(f) the mailing address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the applicant; and
(g) proof that their equivalent licence from another jurisdiction is in good standing.
(1.2) A retired member applying for a licence, limited licence or temporary licence shall file with the Registrar an application accompanied by,
(a) payment of the annual fee for the current calendar year, pro-rated for the period from the first day of the month in which the application is filed until the end of December in that year;
(b) payment of any other fee, levy or costs imposed under the Act, regulations or by-laws of the Association;
(c) proof of professional liability insurance coverage, an application for it or an application for an exemption from it;
(d) two letters attesting to the applicant’s good character;
(e) proof of having met the qualifications and requirements prescribed in the by-laws, as applicable; and
(f) the mailing address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the applicant.
(4) Section 25 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(3) Holders of limited and temporary licences are not eligible to apply for a certificate of authorization.
16. The Regulation is amended by adding the following sections:
25.1 Applications for terms of articles shall be made to the Registrar and shall include proof of,
(a) successful completion of a program approved by the Academic and Experience Requirements Committee;
(b) successful completion of a program that, in the opinion of the Academic and Experience Requirements Committee, is equivalent in content and level of difficulty to a program mentioned in clause (a); or
(c) experience or knowledge or a combination of experience and knowledge which, in the opinion of the Academic and Experience Requirements Committee, provides equivalent competencies to a program mentioned in clause (a).
25.2. (1) Where there are probable and reasonable grounds to believe that a person will not engage in the practice of cadastral surveying or the practice of professional surveying in accordance with the law and with honesty and integrity, the Registrar may,
(a) reject the person’s application for a term of articles;
(b) disqualify a person from completing their term of articles; or
(c) impose terms and conditions that the person must satisfy before their application for a term of articles is accepted, or in order to be allowed to complete their term of articles.
(2) The Registrar shall give notice to a person of a decision by the Registrar under subsection (1) and the reasons for the decision.
(3) A person may appeal a decision of the Registrar under subsection (1) to the Registration Committee by delivering a notice in writing to the Registrar requiring a hearing by the Registration Committee within 30 days after receiving the notice required under subsection (2).
(4) Where a person does not require a hearing by the Registration Committee in accordance with subsection (3), the Registrar’s decision under subsection (1) is final and binding on the person.
(5) The Registration Committee may extend the time for the giving of notice requiring a hearing by a person under subsection (3) before or after the expiration of such time where it is satisfied that there are apparent grounds for granting relief to the person following a hearing and that there are reasonable grounds for applying for the extension, and the Registration Committee may give such directions as it considers proper consequent upon the extension.
(6) Where a person requires a hearing by the Registration Committee in accordance with subsection (3), the Registration Committee shall appoint a time for, give notice of and shall hold the hearing.
(7) The Registrar and the person who has required the hearing are parties to proceedings before the Registration Committee under this section.
(8) Following a hearing under subsection (6), the Registration Committee may, by order,
(a) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that the person will engage in the practice of cadastral surveying or the practice of professional surveying in accordance with the law and with honesty and integrity, direct the Registrar to approve the person’s application for a term of articles or allow the person to continue completing their term of articles, as the case may be;
(b) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that the person will not engage in the practice of cadastral surveying or the practice of professional surveying in accordance with the law and with honesty and integrity, direct the Registrar to deny the person’s application for a term of articles or disqualify the person from completing their term of articles, as the case may be; or
(c) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that it is necessary in order to ensure that a person will engage in the practice of cadastral surveying or the practice of professional surveying in accordance with the law and with honesty and integrity, require the person to satisfy such terms and conditions as the Committee considers proper to the satisfaction of the Registrar before the person’s application for a term of articles is accepted, or they are allowed to continue completing their term of articles, as the case may be.
17. (1) Subsection 26 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licence” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “licence, limited licence, temporary licence”.
(2) Subsection 26 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “and” at the end of clause (c) and by revoking clause (d) and substituting the following:
(d) for holders of a licence, limited licence or certificate of registration, at the end of each three-year period specified under subsection 41 (7), a professional development report, completed by the applicant for the three-year period ending that December 31; and
(e) for holders of a temporary licence, proof that their equivalent licence from another jurisdiction is in good standing.
18. Section 26.1 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
Suspension
26.1 (1) The Registrar may suspend a member’s licence, limited licence, temporary licence, certificate of authorization or certificate of registration if the member,
(a) fails to file anything required under subsection 26 (1) or (2); or
(b) fails to meet the requirements of the professional development program described in section 41, as applicable.
(2) A person whose licence, limited licence, temporary licence, certificate of authorization or certificate of registration was suspended by the Registrar under subsection (1) is entitled to have the suspension removed on,
(a) filing of the thing the person failed to file; or
(b) meeting the requirements of the professional development program, as applicable.
(3) If a licence, limited licence, temporary licence, certificate of authorization or certificate of registration is suspended by the Registrar under subsection (1) and the suspension is not removed under subsection (2) within one year of the date of the suspension, the licence, limited licence, temporary licence, certificate of authorization or certificate of registration shall terminate automatically.
19. Section 27 of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licence” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “licence, limited licence”.
20. (1) Subsection 28 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “Every professional member” at the beginning of the portion before clause (a) and substituting “Every holder of a licence or certificate of registration”.
(2) Section 28 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsections:
(3) Every holder of a limited licence may use the title “Ontario Land Surveyor (Limited Licence)” or “arpenteur-géomètre de l’Ontario (permis restreint)” or the initials “O.L.S. (LL)” or “A.-G.O. (PR)”.
(4) Every holder of a temporary licence may use the title “Ontario Land Surveyor (Temporary)” or “arpenteur-géomètre de l’Ontario (temporaire)” or the initials “O.L.S. (T)” or “A.-G.O. (T)”.
21. Subsection 29 (2) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licence” and substituting “licence, limited licence, temporary licence”.
22. Section 30 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(4) Holders of a limited licence or temporary licence shall not have a survey monument identification stamp.
23. Section 31 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
Information on Returns
31. (1) Members and holders of certificates of authorization shall complete and return to the Association, on the request of the Registrar, returns of information in the form prescribed in the by-laws, setting out their names, addresses, electronic mail addresses, telephone numbers, the names of their associates, partners and employees who are members and a statement of their professional liability insurance coverage.
(2) Corporations that hold certificates of authorization shall set out in their returns of information the information in subsection (1) and a statement of the names of their directors and officers, the member or members responsible for personally supervising their practice of professional surveying, the addresses, electronic mail addresses and telephone numbers of all offices and the members responsible for each office.
(3) Members and holders of certificates of authorization shall notify the Registrar within 30 days of any change in contact information or work status.
24. Section 32 of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licence” and substituting “licence, limited licence, temporary licence”.
25. (1) Section 34 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following subsection:
(1.1) Where services within the practice of professional surveying are being provided under the authority of a certificate of authorization, it is the responsibility of the member or members named in the certificate of authorization to ensure that members operating under that certificate of authorization maintain the standards of practice.
(2) Clause 34 (2) (a) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “on a full-time basis”.
(3) Clauses 34 (2) (b) and (c) of the Regulation are amended by striking out “Registration Committee” and substituting “Registrar”.
(4) Clause 34 (2) (l) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licensed”.
(5) Subsections 34 (3) to (5) of the Regulation are revoked.
(6) Subsection 34 (6) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “licensed” in the portion before clause (a).
26. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section:
34.1 (1) The Registrar shall give notice of a decision to deny an authorization under clause 34 (2) (b) or an approval under clause 34 (2) (c) and the reasons for the decision to the member, partnership or corporation who requested the authorization or approval.
(2) The member, partnership or corporation may appeal the Registrar’s decision under subsection (1) to the Registration Committee by delivering a notice in writing to the Registrar requiring a hearing by the Registration Committee within 30 days after receiving the notice required under subsection (1).
(3) Where the member, partnership or corporation does not require a hearing by the Registration Committee in accordance with subsection (2), the Registrar’s decision under clause 34 (2) (b) or (c) is final and binding on the member, partnership or corporation.
(4) The Registration Committee may extend the time for the giving of notice requiring a hearing by a person, partnership, or corporation under subsection (2) before or after the expiration of such time where it is satisfied that there are apparent grounds for granting relief to the person, partnership, or corporation following a hearing and that there are reasonable grounds for applying for the extension, and the Registration Committee may give such directions as it considers proper consequent upon the extension.
(5) Where the member, partnership or corporation requires a hearing by the Registration Committee in accordance with subsection (2), the Registration Committee shall appoint a time for, give notice of and shall hold the hearing.
(6) The Registrar and the person, partnership or corporation who has required the hearing are parties to proceedings before the Registration Committee under this section.
(7) Following a hearing under subsection (5), the Registration Committee may, by order,
(a) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that the member, partnership or corporation does not have sufficient knowledge, experience or ability to carry on the practice of professional surveying from more than one office or to properly supervise multiple offices, as the case may be, direct the Registrar to deny the member, partnership or corporation’s request for authorization or approval;
(b) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that the member, partnership or corporation does have sufficient knowledge, experience or ability to carry on the practice of professional surveying from more than one office or to properly supervise multiple offices, as the case may be, direct the Registrar to approve the member, partnership or corporation’s request for authorization or approval; or
(c) where the Committee is of the opinion, upon reasonable grounds, that it is necessary in order to ensure that the member, partnership or corporation will carry on the practice of professional surveying from more than one office to a reasonable standard or will properly supervise multiple offices, direct the Registrar to approve the member, partnership or corporation’s request for authorization or approval subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee specifies.
27. Section 35 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
Professional Misconduct
35. (1) Members shall not engage in professional misconduct as defined in subsection (3) in the performance of their practice of professional surveying.
(2) Where services within the practice of professional surveying are being provided under the authority of a certificate of authorization, it is the responsibility of the member or members named in the certificate of authorization to ensure that members operating under that certificate of authorization do not engage in professional misconduct.
(3) For the purposes of the Act and this Regulation,
“professional misconduct” means:
1. Contravention of the Act or the regulations or of any Act or regulations relating to professional surveying in Ontario.
2. Failure to comply with and maintain the performance standards for the practice of professional surveying.
3. Failure to comply with the code of ethics or the standards of practice of professional surveying.
4. Knowingly furthering the application for admission to the Association of a person known by the member to be unqualified by education or character.
5. Authorizing, permitting, counselling, assisting, aiding, abetting or acquiescing in any act that constitutes professional misconduct.
6. Signing a survey plan or deliverable that is not prepared or completed by the member or under the member’s supervision.
7. Failure to assume responsibility for all phases of a project carried out under the member’s supervision.
8. Failure to engage staff deemed competent by virtue of education, on the job training or both to perform the duties assigned to them.
9. Knowingly allowing or encouraging non-professional staff to engage in activities that reasonably would be regarded as professional in nature.
10. Failure by an employed member to act for an employer as a faithful agent or trustee and failure to regard as confidential, however obtained, information about the affairs of the employer’s clients and to continue that failure after the termination of the relationship with the employer.
11. Failure to disclose to a client or employer a conflict of interest.
12. Charging a fee for professional surveying services not performed or knowingly submitting a false or misleading estimate, account or charge for professional surveying services rendered to a client.
13. Advertising in a manner that is contrary to the regulations.
14. Making a false or malicious statement or publication that injures the professional reputation, prospects or the practice of professional surveying of another member.
15. Soliciting or accepting any work when the member knows or has reason to believe that another member is engaged for the same purpose by the same client.
16. Offering to pay compensation or offering an inducement to secure employment or a contract for service.
17. Undertaking work that the member is not competent to perform by virtue of their training and experience or that is beyond the member’s resources to complete in the time agreed upon with the client.
18. Failing to co-operate with the Association with respect to a claim made under an insurance policy made under an arrangement described in subsection 32 (2) of the Act.
19. Allowing a non-member to act as an agent to procure work or to act in a manner that would lead members of the public to believe that such non-member was licensed under the Act.
20. Conduct relevant to the practice of professional surveying that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as dishonourable or unprofessional.
21. Signing a plan or deliverable that is beyond the scope of the licence or certificate of registration granted to a member.
22. Knowingly allowing a limited or temporary licence holder to practise beyond the scope of their limited or temporary licence without the supervision of a licence holder.
28. Subsection 37 (2) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “$500,000 for each single occurrence and not less than $1,000,000 a year for all occurrences” and substituting “the amount set out in the by-laws”.
29. Subsection 40 (3) of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
(3) The Registrar shall, in accordance with the policies of the Council, maintain a file for each firm and shall keep in that file all inspection reports of that firm conducted under this section.
30. (1) Subsection 41 (4) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “professional member shall” in the portion before clause (a) and substituting “member, other than the holder of a temporary licence, shall”.
(2) Subsection 41 (8) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “Every professional member shall” and substituting “Every member, other than the holder of a temporary licence, shall”.
31. Section 42 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:
42. Every member, other than the holder of a temporary licence, shall complete a professional development report or reports as directed by the Association prior to submitting their application for renewal of a licence, limited licence or certificate of registration under section 26.
32. Subsection 43 (1) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “Every professional member shall” and substituting “Every member, other than the holder of a temporary licence, shall”.
33. The Regulation is amended by striking out “professional member” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “member”.
34. The Regulation is amended by striking out “professional members” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “members”.
Commencement
35. This Regulation comes into force on the later of the day subsection 4 (1) of Schedule 4 to the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025 comes into force and the day this Regulation is filed.
Council of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors:
Le Conseil de l’Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres de l’Ontario :
Sasa Krcmar
President
Alnashir Jeraj
Executive Director
Date made: December 4, 2025
Pris le : 4 décembre 2025
