SIMPLE GUIDE on How to become a Professional Engineer (P. Eng) in Canada

Becoming a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Canada is a WHOLE process, but it’s also a super rewarding one. If you’ve ever wondered about the requirements, process, and why it’s even worth pursuing, this is for you!

As a current fifth-year engineering student I always wanted to know what the application process was like, and after speaking to a few colleagues I'm finding many others have no idea how it even works! I’ve done a bunch of research for this post, especially on how it works in Alberta under APEGA (the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta).

This blog post is based on my Youtube video here, check it out if you prefer to watch me talk about it!

Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with APEGA or any other professional engineering body, nor am I a Professional Engineer (P.Eng). I’m just an engineering student trying to figure this out for myself and sharing what I’ve learned! If you’re an EIT or P.Eng, feel free to chime in with your experiences in the comments.

So... Why Become a P.Eng?

In Canada, you can’t officially call yourself an engineer unless you’re registered with a provincial or territorial engineering association as a P.Eng [engineerscanada]. So, even when you graduate you aren't officially an engineer! For this blog, I'll consider someone applying in Alberta, which is where APEGA comes in. Two of the biggest benefits people mention of being a P.Eng are:

Greater job opportunities
A higher salary

The Roadmap to Becoming a P.Eng

Here is the process fully outlined to becoming a P. Eng:

1. Graduate from an Accredited Engineering Program

Your engineering degree must be accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) [APEGA]. If it’s not (e.g., international degrees), you may need to go through additional steps like writing exams to demonstrate your academic competency depending on what province your applying in [heres some info regarding non-CEAB programs from PEO and APEGA].

Check if your Engineering Program is accredited here (engineerscanada). Most are accredited though so you are probably good!

2. Get Engineering Work Experience

You need 48 months (four years) of engineering-related experience [APEGA]. Here's some important notes to keep in mind:

Up to 12 months of pre-graduation co-op work may count [University of Alberta].
Track your experience from day one! Keep contact info for supervisors who can validate your work.

Tip: Register as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT). It’s optional but helpful for streamlining the process.

3. The Application Process

Now get ready, it's time for the application process. Here’s what you’ll need to look out for:

What to keep in mind	What it is
Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency	It's a Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency status
Character Declaration	Basically to demonstrate good character and reputation.
Competency Self-Assessment Worksheet (CSAW)	This is just a self assessment worksheet! This compares your work experience against APEGA’s required competencies.
Work Record Validator List (WRVL)	Tracks the duration and the details of your work experience [APEGA].
Competency-Based Assessment Tool (CBAT):	CBAT evaluates your competencies across six categories: Technical, Communication, Project and Financial Management, Team Effectiveness, Professional Accountability, and Social, Economic, Environmental, and Sustainability [APEGA].
References and Validators	Validators confirm your competencies. They’re typically P.Engs who took responsibility for your technical work. However, they can be an 'equivalent practioner' [APEGA]. References verify employment details like your role and duration. These can be like a manager, HR, or even a validator [APEGA]. Your work experience and competencies must be verified, and you’ll need at least three validators who are familiar with your work.
The 'Professional Member application fees'	Fees will depend on your applicaiton type (like if you are a current APEGA member in training) [APEGA]. As of writing, the cost for a new application is $500, while for 'Current APEGA members-in-training' fees are $325. You can find the list of all the fees for each type of application here.

If you want to learn more about this, you can look into the APEGA CBA Guide or the APEGA requirements for way more info!

4. Write the National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE)

This closed-book exam tests your 'knowledge of professionalism, law, and ethics' [NPPE].

It’s only offered five times a year.
It has 110 multiple-choice questions.
Prep courses are available, so be sure to look out for those!

Since the NPPE is only held five times a year you'll have to prepare accordingly. Here you can find the upcoming exam dates.

5. Submit Your Application

Congrats! You got to the end, and can finally submit that application. The review process may take up until 12 months, so you'll have to be patient and keep those fingers crossed.

But What If You Get Rejected?

Hopefully you won't face this but, rejection happens — some reasons may include:

insufficient experience (may not meet 48 month criteria)
weak competency examples
failing the NPPE

BUT don’t stress; you can:

Reapply with stronger examples or after getting additional experience
Appeal if you believe your application was incorrectly assessed

Quick Summary of the P. Eng Process

Earn a CEAB-accredited engineering degree.
Get 48 months of work experience (track everything!).
Register as an EIT (optional but helpful).
Complete CSAW and WRVL to showcase your experience.
Write the NPPE exam.
Submit your application and follow up on feedback if needed.

Final Thoughts

Now this process might seem super intimidating, but it’s worth it if you’re serious about your engineering career in Canada.

KEY TIP: Talk to P.Engs around you—they often have valuable advice that could make your journey smoother. Their advice may just be the difference between you getting your P.Eng and not!

Also, are you yourself struggling as an engineering student, or confused about what engineering school is like as a high school student? You may have specific questions you need answers to, and I want to help. I'm offering 1 on 1 Engineering Student Coaching to help those all around the globe through their degrees, but this is really only for those who are serious about their degrees and careers in engineering. You can book an appointment with me here:

Click Me

What do you think about the P.Eng process? Have questions or tips? Drop them in the comments! And if you’re curious about more engineering topics, check out my other posts and subscribe to my Youtube Channel! Peace!!