Important changes to PEO’s licensing processes
PEO introduced changes to our licence application process that will make applying for an engineering licence more efficient, transparent and fair for all applicants. PEO’s modernized application process will ensure new applicants receive a registration decision within six months of submitting a completed licence application.
The new application rules for obtaining a P.Eng. licence also comply with new requirements set by the provincial government under the Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act (FARPACTA).
PEO will launch an improved online application system on July 1, 2023.
Applicants whose academic qualifications are judged by PEO to fall between those of a technology diploma and those of an engineering degree will be assigned a specific exam program (SEP). This program may consist of up to 18 examinations and would include basic, technical and complementary examinations plus an engineering thesis. Basic studies examinations are a prerequisite and must be addressed first.
Applicants who have been assigned a specific examination program with no basic studies exams and have at least 10 years of engineering experience may be referred to PEO’s Experience Assessment Department for review. Applicants who have successfully completed their entire basic studies portion of their assigned exam program and have at least 10 years of engineering experience may have their application referred for this experience assessment.
Applications referred to the Experience Department will have their experience assessed to determine whether the applicant’s engineering experience provides sufficient basis to satisfy the knowledge requirements necessary to pass the assigned technical examinations.
The three possible outcomes of this experience assessment for academics are: the technical examination program is waived, reduced, or the program stands. Applicants cannot have any basic studies exams or the Engineering Report waived for this assessment.
If applicants wish to take courses at a university in lieu of their assigned SEP, they must receive PEO’s prior approval of the acceptability of the courses. However, courses-in-lieu are not acceptable for basic studies examinations.
PEO offers technical examinations twice annually (in spring and winter) at several centres across the province. PEO will send applicants who have been assigned examinations information about the examinations, explain when they may begin writing, specify the time limits for completing an examination program, and provide other guidelines. PEO may close the files of applicants who do not adhere to the strict time limits set out in PEO’s governing legislation.
Applicants should know that interviews with the ERC for assessment of the possibility of waiving assigned Confirmatory Exam Programs or SEPs are optional. Applicants may choose to write the corresponding examination programs without attending ERC interviews.