In Canada, engineering is a regulated profession. This means that by law, no one can practise the profession of engineering without a license. Licensing is carried out by 12 provincial and territorial associations/ordre who set standards and regulate the profession. An engineering licence is valid only within that jurisdiction, however, there is a mobility agreement among the provinces and territories regarding transfer of licences. These associations serve and protect the public on behalf of their provincial or territorial government.
Once registered, or licensed, as a member of a provincial or territorial association, engineers are known as professional engineers and are eligible to use the designation "P.Eng." ("ing." in Québec) after their name. In Canada, it is illegal to practise the profession of engineering or to use the P.Eng./ing. designation without being licensed as a member in an association. For more information on CCPE's Engineering International-Education Assessment Program (EIEAP), please refer to the Program Overview or contact CCPE at
evaluation@ccpe.ca.
Before being accepted for registration and licensure, individuals normally are required to write and pass a series of examinations set by the licensing body in the province or territory where they intend to reside. They must also demonstrate sufficient communication skills in at least one of Canada's two official languages, and have three or four years of acceptable engineering work experience, including one year of experience in a Canadian environment.
LICENCE REQUIREMENTS
Normally, to be licensed as a professional engineer by a provincial or territorial engineering association, candidates must:
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Citizenship or permanent resident status is required to apply for licensure. It is not possible to be licensed before immigrating to Canada.)
Possess an undergraduate (Bachelor's level) degree in engineering from a recognized Canadian university program, or possess an otherwise recognized engineering degree and complete an assigned exam program. Recognition of degree equivalency by a Canadian university or other organization is unrelated to recognition of your degree by the CCPE and its constituent associations.
Complete three or four years of engineering work, depending on the association. Experience obtained outside Canada may be acceptable if sufficient documentation is provided. A minimum of 12 months experience must be in a Canadian environment to ensure that you are familiar with Canadian codes and standards.
Write and pass a professional practice examination on professional practice, ethics, engineering law and liability.
Be of good character and reputation.
Be proficient in English (French in Quebec, English or French in New Brunswick).
If you plan to settle in Ontario, you may begin the licensing process with Professional Engineers Ontario from your country of origin, or if you plan to settle in Quebec, with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN CANADA - STEPS TO LICENSING
STEP 1. Obtain and fill out an application form.
After being granted a permanent residence visa, you should contact the association of professional engineers in the province or territory where you plan to settle. In general, applications for membership will not be accepted until residence in Canada is established, except for those individuals intending to settle in Ontario or Quebec. If you plan to settle in Ontario, you may begin the licensing process with Professional Engineers Ontario from your country of origin, or if you plan to settle in Quebec, with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
You will be asked to submit at least the following documentation:
Original diploma(s), degree(s), and full transcripts recording course completion and marks.
Full address of educational and professional institutions related to engineering qualifications.
Employment and character references.
All documents must have certified English translations (French in Quebec; a choice of English or French in New Brunswick).
STEP 2. The association reviews your university background and may assign an exam program to ensure that academic requirements are met.
The association assesses your academic qualifications, primarily the Bachelor level or first degree. Qualifications other than the Bachelor level may or may not be taken into account.
Usually, associations will assign an exam program if you do not have a Bachelor's degree in engineering from a recognized Canadian university. Examinations are assigned based on your claimed discipline or speciality of intended work. The maximum number of examinations is 20. You will also be required to take an examination on non-technical subjects (engineering economics or management).
Examination sittings are held once or twice per year, depending on the jurisdiction.
STEP 3. The association evaluates your previous engineering experience.
The evaluation is based on application of engineering theory, exposure to project management and communications skills.
Three or four years of acceptable engineering experience is required, depending on the association. Experience obtained outside Canada, may be acceptable if sufficient documentation is provided. A minimum of 12 months of acceptable experience must be in a Canadian environment to ensure that you are familiar with Canadian codes and standards.
If assigned an examination program, you are normally required to complete all examinations before the association will begin crediting engineering experience.
STEP 4. Write and pass the professional practice exam.
You must write and pass the professional practice examination on professional practice, ethics, engineering law and liability. Normally, you can write it any time after you have completed the assigned examination program.
Once all the requirements for licensure are successfully met, the association will issue a license to practice engineering in that jurisdiction. Please be advised that it may take several years to obtain licensure in a province or territory of Canada.
WORKING IN CANADA BEFORE BEING LICENSED
Applicants can work as engineers only if a licensed professional engineer takes responsibility for the work. In Canada, it is illegal for non-licensed engineers to approve engineering drawings or reports, use the title "professional engineer" or any variation of it, or in any way offer engineering services to the public.
While a licence application is in progress, applicants may wish to register as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) with their local association to receive advice and guidance on the nature of required engineering experience.
Most other technical work (i.e. work not considered professional engineering) may be performed by non-licensed engineers without restriction, but it may be restricted by other legislation, including Architecture or Land Surveyors Act.