How to obtain an engineer's permit

You earned your degree in another field (unrecognized degree) in Quebec

Certain applicants do not hold recognized Quebec degrees.

If that is your case, you can still apply for a junior engineer's permit if:

• You have been awarded an undergraduate degree that is not recognized by the government and not deemed to be equivalent to such a degree.
  
  Or
  
  
• You have been awarded an undergraduate degree in pure or applied science or in technology, at least equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

In either case, you must enclose the following materials with your permit application:

• Payment of the permit application fee.
• A copy of your birth certificate.
• A recent passport-sized photo (5 cm X 7 cm), bearing your signed certification that it is of you.
• Official transcripts for each of the degrees submitted in support of your application, without exception. An official transcript must be sent directly to the Order from the educational institution that produced it.
• All university degrees supporting the application or certification of their award.
• Upon request from the Order, descriptions of your courses.
• If applicable, a detailed summary of your relevant on-the-job experiences since the completion of studies leading to the engineering degree, as well as certifications for each such experience.
• If applicable, certifications of participation in training or professional development activities since you were awarded your engineering degree.
• Where applicable, documents proving that your knowledge of French is adequate for engaging in professional activities.

Please note that the Order does not accept undergraduate degrees awarded based on the accumulation of multiple certificates.

Your application will be reviewed by the Examiners Committee and a decision will be made based on the information contained in your file.

1. Your undergraduate engineering degree is not recognized by the Government of Quebec and is not deemed equivalent by the Order

The Committee can recommend that:

• You take up to five follow-up examinations to test your knowledge. (Hyperlink to: Examination Guidelines)

2) You hold an undergraduate degree in pure or applied science or in technology, which is at least equivalent to a bachelor's degree

The committee may recommend that:

• You successfully complete an examination program. This will require that:
  • Your training is, at the outset, deemed equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree
  • The number of examinations required to complete your training in a specialty recognized by the Order is not excessive.

The Examiners Committee will review your file once you have met all requirements. Depending on the situation, the committee will recommend either that your degree be deemed equivalent or that you pursue additional training.

Once your degree is deemed to be equivalent or you have successfully completed the training, you will receive documentation pertaining to your request for enrolment in the Order. You will be entered on the roll of the Order once you have sent the Order your application for admission and paid all fees.

Upon being entered on its roll, you become an official member of the Order. Under the law you may begin using the title of junior engineer at that time. Junior engineers can perform activities that are reserved by law for engineers, if they do so under the immediate direction and supervision of an engineer. You must pursue your efforts to obtain an engineer's permit from the time you are entered on the roll.

Recognizing experience in view of reducing the number of examinations required

Here is how and under what conditions the Examiners Committee credits relevant experience:

• If an applicant has at least five years of relevant experience in engineering and such experience is supported by a detailed file,* the requirement may be reduced by up to one examination.
• If an application has at least 10 years of relevant experience, including functions involving responsibilities and such experience is support by a detailed file,* the requirement may be reduced by up to two examinations.

*The detailed file consists of work certificates or letters of recommendation that describe your activities and responsibilities in the engineering jobs you held. These documents must indicate your terns of employment. You may also provide one or more official job descriptions, each accompanied by a document certifying your employment in that position and your dates of employment. Ideally, such certificates should be issued by engineers holding positions of responsibility rather than by administrative staff.