How to Become an Engineer in Ontario

The engineering profession is challenging and rewarding.

A career in engineering allows you to learn the latest technologies in the market and enables you to apply that knowledge to solve complex problems. As in other provinces of Canada, the engineering profession in Ontario is regulated by an engineering licensing body, Professional Engineers Ontario. In order to become a professional engineer in Ontario, you must follow the licensure procedues established by PEO.

Instructions

1. Get a degree from an accredited engineering university. There are more than 200 engineering programs accredited by Professional Engineer Ontario, which are listed on the PEO website. Consult the resources section for a list of accredited universities.

2. Register with PEO as an engineer-in-training (EIT). To register with PEO, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of good character and have graduated from an accredited engineering school in Canada or an engineering program in another country recognized by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers.

   To register with PEO as an EIT, fill in the forms available on PEO website and pay the applicable fees and taxes.

3. Find an internship with a company located in Canada. The internship must be at least 12 months long. Apply your knowledge, gain practical experience and improve communication skills. At the end of the internship, you are eligible to apply for the Professional Practice Exam.

4. Register for the PPE with PEO. The Professional Practice Exam is designed to verify your knowledge of ethics, law and liability and engineering practice. This examination is held in various cities of Ontario twice a year. The registration fee for the PPE was $165 plus applicable taxes as of 2010.

5. Once you pass the examination, you are licensed to be an engineer in Ontario. The only thing you need to maintain your professional engineer status is to pay annual fees, which are more than $200.

Tips & Warnings

• According to an "Agreement on mobility of professional engineers in Canada" by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers, a licensed professional engineer in any province can get professional engineer status in Ontario upon request and payment of membership fees.

• If you have not graduated from an accredited engineering program in Canada, please contact PEO for more information about the equivalence process of your degree.

References

• Professional Engineering Canada

Resources

• Canadian universities with accredited engineering programs
• Licensing Guide and Application for Professional Practice Examination