Membership Requirements

There are two types of membership in CAPC, namely the Professional Member and the Retired Member. Within the Professional Membership, there are two sub-categories, the Conservator and the Conservation Scientist.

A Professional Member is admitted to CAPC in one or more areas of specialization. In the case of Conservator, the specialization(s) is defined by the type of material on which the Conservator works (e.g. paintings, wooden objects, metals, etc.) or by the type of conservation activity engaged in (e.g. conservation management, preventive conservation, etc.) In the case of the Conservation Scientist, specialization(s) is defined by the area of scientific enquiry in which the candidate is engaged (i.e analysis, environment, etc.).

Professional Members who no longer practice conservation, either paid or voluntary, neither doing treatment nor providing consulting services, may choose to join the Retired Members Class.

Minimum Requirements for Membership

To be eligible for membership in CAPC, the following four requirements must be met:

1. Training in conservation: the candidate must have received training in conservation in any one of the following ways (or a combination thereof):
   1. Formal conservation training program
   2. Apprenticeship under experienced conservator(s) or conservation scientist(s)
   3. Other training, including self-training, which may be considered by the Board of Examiners to be equivalent to the above.
2. Experience: applicants must have a minimum of six full years in conservation including training and practice. In the application, applicants must demonstrate sufficient experience to be able to conduct all their work without supervision.
3. Professional involvement: a demonstrated involvement in the conservation field for at least four years is required. Examples of professional development include professional interaction or consultation with other conservators, membership in professional conservation organizations, and/or other activities.
4. Status: a candidate must be currently active in the field of conservation. A candidate should be a Canadian citizen, a landed immigrant, or should be working principally in Canada.