Please note that some pages are only available in French.
This page is for internationally trained professionals who obtained their first engineering degree from an educational institution outside of Canada.
Try our Preadmission Guide to preview your path to obtaining a permit in Quebec, by country of study. The tool asks you a few questions and compares your profile with those previously analysed to guide you through the process of getting your degree or training recognised.
Before you begin the process of obtaining your engineering permit in Quebec, carefully read the requirements for internationally trained professionals, including fees, language requirements, and the documents necessary for reviewing your file.
In Canada, each province or territory regulates the practice of engineering within their jurisdiction. Agreements concerning the practice of engineering make it easier for Canadian engineers to work abroad, and for foreign engineers to obtain a permit to practice in Canada.
The Arrangement on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (ARM in French) is an agreement signed between Quebec and France that facilitates professional mobility and the integration of qualified workers into the job market of both territories.
The Washington Accord is an international agreement between bodies that accredit engineering training programs. The agreement recognizes that the programs approved by these organizations are equivalent. The aim is to facilitate and accelerate the evaluation of engineering degrees of applicants from signatory countries by the regulatory bodies of another member country. These countries have all accepted the principles of mutual recognition of engineering qualifications, thus facilitating the mobility of qualified engineers between signatory countries.
Australia: Engineers Australia (1989)
Bangladesh: Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (2023)
Canada: Engineers Canada (1989)
China: China Association for Science and Technology (2016)
Chinese Taipei: Institute of Engineering Education (2007)
Costa Rica: Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) (2019)
Hong Kong (China): The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (1995)
India: National Board of Accreditation (2014)
Indonesia: Indonesian Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (2021)
Ireland: Engineers Ireland (1989)
Japan: JABEE (2005)
Korea: Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea (2007)
Malaysia: Board of Engineers Malaysia (2009)
Mexico: Consejo de Acreditación de la Enseñanza de la Ingeniería (2021)
New Zealand: Institution of Professional Engineers NZ (1989)
Pakistan: Pakistan Engineering Council (2017)
Peru: Instituto de Calidad y Acreditacion de Programas de Computacion, Ingenieria y Tecnologia (ICACIT) (2018)
Philippines: Philippine Technological Council (2023)
Russia: Association for Engineering Education of Russia (2012)
Singapore: Institution of Engineers Singapore (2006)
South Africa: Engineering Council of South Africa (1999)
Sri Lanka: Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (2014)
Turkey: MUDEK (2011)
United Kingdom: Engineering Council UK (1989)
United States: ABET (1989)
The required documents vary by country, whether there is an agreement in place with that country, your field of expertise (e.g. engineering or applied sciences), and the year you graduated (within the last five years). Carefully review the requirements for your specific profile before submitting your application.
To find out how to apply under the mutual recognition agreement between France and Quebec, got to Diplômés de France.
To apply under the Washington Accord, submit the following documents with your application:
* If it has been more than 5 years since you obtained your undergraduate degree, the knowledge and skills you acquired during your studies may no longer correspond to current curriculum content. You will therefore need to demonstrate that the training or work experience acquired since then is still up to date through one of the following means:
Your file will be reviewed under the category “Graduate from a country without an agreement” if the following conditions apply:
1.1 World Education Services (WES) Course-by-Course evaluation – Diplomas obtained outside of Canada
You must request a WES-ICAP course by course report for all university degrees obtained outside of Canada. Create an account on the WES website and select “Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec” as the recipient. It’s a good idea to begin here, as the evaluation process may take some time. Note that the MIFI comparative evaluation does not provide a diploma equivalence and is not a substitute for a WES evaluation.
1.2 Course descriptions or syllabus – All diplomas
Make sure to obtain course descriptions for all your degrees (originals and translations, if applicable). The document must bear the university seal or be sent directly to the OIQ by the institution. It must be a detailed document, not a simple course outline and the description must correspond to the one in effect at the time the courses were taken. Beyond 5 years, you must provide proof that the content of the program has not changed since then.
1.3 Official transcripts – Diplomas obtained in Quebec or Canada
Ask your academic institution to send us the digital copy of your transcripts only if you obtained your diploma in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada.
2.1 Birth certificate or passport. Driver’s licences and health insurance cards will not be accepted.
2.2 Your current resume or CV. This document will give us a better understanding of your academic and professional credentials.
2.3 ASP certification card (if applicable). The ASP card confirms you have received health and safety training.
2.4 Proof of proficiency in French (if available). Provide a document demonstrating that your knowledge of French is appropriate to the practice of the profession in Quebec.
3.1. Form: Concordance table for degrees obtained outside Canada
3.2. Form: Concordance table for degrees obtained in Canada
3.3. Form: Internship or thesis summary
These forms are currently offered in French. Fill out a form for each thesis, internship, dissertation, or final project completed during your university studies. Include the objectives, methodology used, and grade or academic distinction received. We may ask that your university certify the document at a later date.
Remember to clearly identify all documents, including the Type 4/5 form, and email them in PDF format to: [email protected].
Please note that we will only begin processing your application once your file is complete.
A fee is charged for the evaluation of your application for admission to the OIQ. Fees vary according to your profile and academic background. Please note that additional fees will apply for registration in the Professional Admission Program. Your application will be processed as soon as we receive your payment and complete file. For more details, please refer to the fee schedule.
Discounts for refugees
The OIQ facilitates the integration of refugees into the profession by offering them discounts on certain fees. This document describes the eligibility criteria and the procedures for obtaining these discounts.
| Situation | Application for admission | Registration to the Professional Admission Program |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering degree obtained outside of Canada | $1010 | $505* |
| Engineering degree under Washington Accord | $660 | $505 |
| Other degree (e.g. pure and applied sciences or technology) | $1415 | $505* |
| Engineering degree obtained in France | $735 | Not applicable, see Temporary Restrictive Permit (TRP) |
Do I need to translate my documents?
During the application process, the OIQ only accepts documents in English or French.
If your documents are not written in English or French, they must be accompanied by a translation in one of these two languages. The translation must be certified by a translator who is a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ). If you are not located in Quebec, please provide a translation that is recognized by the appropriate authority in your province or country.
However, you are not required to have your course outline translated by a certified translator. You must still provide a translation of documents that are not in English or French. If the translation is not done by a certified translator, the translator must provide a sworn affidavit.
A foreign-trained professional who wishes to obtain a permit must first familiarize himself or herself with the requirements for practising engineering in Quebec. They can then submit their application, which must include all the required documents, translated into French or English if necessary. The OIQ then evaluates the application and informs the candidate of the conditions he or she must meet to enter the Professional Admission Program: ex. exams, training, French language, etc. Once these conditions are met, the candidate is admitted to the program.
The Professional Admission Program is a mandatory step for anyone wishing to practice engineering in Quebec. This program consists of three components: theoretical, practical and linguistic.
Candidates who intend to come and work on a specific temporary project do not have to meet the same requirements. See the temporary permits page for more information.
No. To practice engineering in Quebec and use the reserved title of “engineer” (Eng.), you must hold a permit in good standing and be registered on the OIQ’s roll. In addition, the admission and permit process differs if the candidate obtained their engineering degree in Quebec, in another Canadian province, or abroad. By law, the OIQ also requires its members to have appropriate knowledge of French before it issues the permit to practice, although certain exceptions may apply for temporary permits.
More:
• The path to becoming an engineer in Quebec
• Practicing engineering in Quebec, with details on language requirements.
The OIQ is not responsible for integrating foreign-trained professionals into the workforce once a permit has been issued. However, its members have access to the “Génie Emploi” job search site, which lists many engineering positions available in Quebec.
What’s more, each year the OIQ organizes activities and events throughout the province to help you develop your network. Join us at our annual conference or participate in the activities organized by your regional committee. You can also expand your network by becoming a committee member or volunteering.
For other aspects of your integration in Quebec, we recommend Immigration Quebec, an organization that can guide you through the rest of the process, including finding a job.
To become a professional engineer in Quebec, you must apply for admission with the OIQ, meet requirements, and enter the Professional Admission Program. The duration of this program depends on your first degree: what subject, in which program, in which year and in which country. Once you’ve met the requirements, you’ll begin the program, which typically lasts between 2 and 5 years. During this time, you’ll hold the title of Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP), which means your scope of practice will be limited. You’ll need to be supervised and meet obligations specific to your title.
Some candidates are exempt from participating in the Professional Admission Program, particularly those who hold a temporary permit.
In all cases, it’s important to understand your status and the obligations that come with it when looking for a job. For example, if you’re an engineering student at a Quebec university looking for a job after graduation, you’ll need to inform your employer that you’re not yet a member or that you’re applying for CEP status.
Please check your portal for the status of your application and contact us if you need a status update.
Anyone claiming to be an engineer without official authorization from the OIQ may be charged with usurpation of title. To avoid unpleasant surprises, contact the OIQ if are unsure of your obligations.
“CEP” is the title given to a candidate before he or she is granted an engineering permit. During the professional admission program, you’ll be assessed on 3 levels: practical, theoretical and language.
You’ll acquire key skills through hands-on experience supervised by an engineer. You’ll also have to complete an online theory course, and pass a professional exam. And finally, you’ll have to demonstrate your knowledge of the French language.
Anyone who feels that they have been treated unfairly by the OIQ may file a complaint. The complaint may be about an OIQ employee or a decision made by the OIQ regarding your file. Please note, however, that certain issues or areas cannot be appealed (such as decisions made by the board of administrators).
To file a complaint, you will need to provide some information and details about the nature of the complaint. If you have already filed a complaint against the OIQ regarding the handling of your file and you disagree with the outcome, you may also file a complaint directly with the Commissaire à l’admission aux professions.
If you have any questions about the application process or related fees, please contact us.