Graduates of a non-CEAB-accredited engineering program

Academic Requirement

The academics of applicants who have graduated from non-CEAB-accredited programs (non-CEAB) must be individually assessed by PEO’s Academic Requirements Committee (ARC) as to whether they meet the academic requirements for licensing. The applicant will be required to submit academic documents for the ARC’s assessment.

As a result of the ARC’s assessment, these applicants follow three different paths (A, B and C) to their next step in licensure.

1. Based on the ARC assessment, the applicant has met the academic requirement and advances to the Professional Practice Examination.


2. Based on the ARC assessment, applicants who do not meet the academic requirement are assigned technical exam(s) to demonstrate whether they have an equivalent academic background and the knowledge required for licensing. PEO has two streams of technical exams: confirmatory or specific examination program.
   
   Confirmatory examination program: the applicant is assigned four technical exams to confirm that the content of their engineering studies is at an equivalent level to a CEAB-accredited engineering program. Applicants assigned a confirmatory examination program who have more than five years of engineering experience may be referred to the Experience Requirements Committee (ERC) for an assessment interview to determine if they can demonstrate through their work experience, a practical application of engineering principles that is sufficient to warrant waiving the exam program.
   
   Specific examination program: applicants are assigned specific technical exams to make up for the identified gaps compared to a CEAB-accredited program. This exam program may comprise up to 18 exams, which may include basic studies exams, technical exams, complementary exams, and/or an engineering report.
   
   Applicants assigned a specific exam program who have at least 10 years of engineering experience may have their experience assessed through an ERC interview to determine if some or all of their assigned exams may be waived. Applicants assigned any basic studies exam(s) must complete their basic studies exam(s) first. After completion of the basic studies exam(s), the applicant will be re-assessed by the ARC and, if eligible, referred to the ERC.
   
   Applicants that have completed a doctoral degree in engineering and are not assigned any basic studies exams are eligible to be referred to the ERC.
   
   Once the non-CEAB applicant has met the academic requirement, they will advance to the Professional Practice Exam.


3. Based on an ARC assessment, the applicant fails to meet the minimum academic requirement to proceed with their application process. Their P.Eng. application is rejected, and their application is closed.
   
   Upon PEO confirming the non-CEAB applicant has met the academic requirement, the applicant will advance to step 2 - writing the Professional Practice Exam (PPE).

Professional Practice Exam

The next step is the Professional Practice Exam (PPE). This is a three-hour, closed-book exam that covers ethics, professional practice, engineering law and professional liability. All applicants must pass the PPE within two years of being assessed as meeting the academic requirement for licensing.

Upon the successful completion of the PPE, the applicant will be required to provide additional information in regards to the experience requirement.

Experience Requirement

All applicants are required to obtain a minimum of 48 months of acceptable, verifiable post-bachelor’s engineering experience of which at least 12 months must be in a Canadian jurisdiction under the supervision of a licensed Canadian professional engineer.

PEO assesses engineering experience against five, quality-based criteria: application of theory, practical experience, management of engineering, communication skills, and awareness of the social implications of engineering.

For the experience assessment, applicants will be required to submit their experience summary page, referee list, and experience record(s). If additional information is required, PEO will contact the applicant directly.

During the experience assessment, applicants may be referred to the Experience Requirements Committee (ERC) for an assessment. This ERC interview assesses the applicant’s competency to practice through demonstration of the five criteria.

Applicants may be eligible for credit(s) towards their engineering experience. For information on the experience credits, please see the Experience Guide.

Upon satisfying the experience requirement, the applicant will move to step 4 – licence review and approval.

Licence Review and Approval

Once the applicant has satisfied all the requirements for licensing, the Registrar will review and give approval for the P.Eng. licence to be granted. After their P.Eng. licensing and annual fees are paid and processed, the applicant is licensed as a professional engineer.