Fundamentals
PEO operated under the authority of the “Professional Engineers Act”
PEO website is the most reliable and complete source of information
P.Eng. application process has changed significantly on May 15, 2023
The processes for applicants who applied before and after May 15, 2023, are significantly different
This document summarizes both (before and after May 15, 2023) processes
IMPORTANT
- Since May 15, 2023, the experience requirement of the new licencing system is based on a “Competency-based assessment” system. This system evaluates your engineering experience based on 34 competencies.
- 8 of these 34 are “Canadian Environment” competencies, that require you to have knowledge of Canadian Codes, Standards, and regulations.
- This means that if you have not used Canadian Codes and Standards before, you will need additional engineering experience which demonstrate your knowledge and awareness of Canadian Codes and Standards.
Applicants after May 15, 2023
1) Complete the “Am I ready to apply” survey at:
https://secure.peo.on.ca/applications/application/peng-am-i-ready/
You should:
- be older than 18 years old
- have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering program at least 4 years long
- have at least 48 months of engineering experience
Note: You cannot submit your application if you do not have 48 months of engineering experience.
Note: Applicants can use up to 12 months of experience acquired prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree (ex. Co-op). They have to include this experience in their experience summary.
2) Complete Academic requirements
https://peo.on.ca/apply/become-professional-engineer/application-requirements#academic
- a) You need a bachelor’s degree in an engineering program that is accredited by the CEAB*
OR
- b) A non-Canadian bachelor’s degree and successful completion of technical exams or interview**
If you graduated outside of Canada, you will need a course-by-course report from World Education Services (WES) for each degree.
*: Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board
**: PEO may decide that you do not need technical exams or an interview.
3) Complete Experience requirements
https://peo.on.ca/apply/become-professional-engineer/application-requirements#experience
https://peo.on.ca/sites/default/files/2023-06/CBAGuide.pdf
https://peo.on.ca/sites/default/files/2023-06/Validator-Guide.pdf
This step is based on Competency-based assessment (CBA). Every applicant must review the CBA Guide. There is no shortcut. You must read this guide and understand CBA requirements.
Each applicant assesses their competency level from 0 to 5 at each competency and provides a verbal explanation demonstrating why they assessed themselves at a certain level.
There is a validator* (a reference) determined by the applicant, who will validate the applicant’s self-assessment. The validator will see the applicant’s responses and confirm or decline these based on their observation of the applicant. Validator provide a separate competence rating for each topic apart from the applicant, reviews and confirms applicant`s work, and provides an overall feedback summary on the applicant`s readiness.
The “assessor” is a PEO employee, who will assess the responses from the applicant and validator and decide whether the experience is adequate.
*: The validator must be a P.Eng. holder if the experience was obtained in Canada. For non-Canadian experience the validator is expected to be senior engineer
CBA has 34 skills in 7 categories.
Category 1: Technical Competence – 10 Competencies
Category 2: Communication – 3 Competencies
Category 3: Project and Financial Management – 5 Competencies
Category 4: Team Effectiveness – 2 Competencies
Category 5: Professional Accountability – 6 Competencies
Category 6: Social, Economic, Environmental and Sustainability – 5 Competencies
Category 7: Personal Continuing Professional Development – 3 Competencies
Complete Experience requirements
8 out of 34 are Canadian Environment Competencies
Competency 1.1: Demonstrate knowledge of regulations, codes, standards, and safety – this includes local engineering procedures and practices as applicable
Competency 1.6: Safety awareness: be aware of safety risks inherent in the design; demonstrate safety awareness – on-site and possible safety authorization/certificate as appropriate
Competency 1.9: Understand the concept of quality control during design and construction including independent design check and independent reviews of design, field checks and reviews
Competency 2.1: Demonstrate effective verbal communication with team members, clients, contractors and members of the public.
Competency 2.2: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in writing with team members, clients, contractors and members of the public.
Competency 2.3: Demonstrate your ability to effectively review key documents.
Competency 5.1: Demonstrate your ability to apply principles of the Code of Ethics within the Canadian engineering environment.
Competency 6.2: Demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between the engineering activity and the public.
4) Identification and Good Character Assessment
You need to provide a government-issued ID to PEO (not all steps to licensing is difficult J).
You need to complete the good character assessment within the PEO portal.
5) National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE)
Once PEO confirms your application to be “complete” you need to take the NPPE within 180 days. Complete means that you submitted the necessary documents, it does not mean your application was approved.
Once PEO confirms your application to be “complete” you need to take the NPPE within 180 days. Complete means that you submitted the necessary documents, it does not mean your application was approved.
