Unless they work exclusively as employees, engineers who cease to practice the profession, whether they do so temporarily or permanently, must entrust their records, including their books, registers, products, substances, apparatus and equipment, to another engineer.
The secretary of the OIQ takes possession of the records in the absence of a transfer or custodianship agreement or whenever the engineer who agreed to take possession of the records is unable to do so.
Voluntary cessation
Engineers who decide to stop practicing the profession, for example, by retiring or having their name removed from the roll, must inform the OIQ of the identity and the contact information of the engineer to whom they entrust their records and send the OIQ a copy of the transfer or custodianship agreement concerning their records, depending on the case, at least 21 days before the date on which they plan to stop practicing.
Permanent cessation
Engineers who are permanently struck from the roll or whose permit is revoked must inform the OIQ of the identity and the contact information of the transferee and send the OIQ a copy of the transfer agreement for their records, within 15 days of the date on which they are officially struck from the roll or their permit is officially revoked.
In the event that an engineer dies or becomes incapacitated, for example, because of an accident, the transferee is responsible for sending the required information and the copy of the agreement to the OIQ.
Temporary cessation
Engineers whose right to practice is suspended, who are temporarily or provisionally struck from the roll or who are struck from the roll for an indefinite period of time, but nevertheless intend to practice the profession again subsequently must inform the OIQ of the identity and the contact information of the provisional custodian and send the OIQ a copy of the provisional custodianship agreement within 15 days of the date on which they are officially suspended or struck from the roll.
Restricted right to practice
When engineers’ right to practice is restricted, they must find a provisional custodian for the records in which they may not take any action. They have 15 days to find a provisional custodian, inform the OIQ and send it a copy of the provisional custodianship agreement.
Sample transfer and provisional custodianship agreements