Professional Admission Program

Your Path Starts Here

In Quebec, the journey to becoming a professional engineer begins with the Professional Admission Program. This program is the official gateway to the profession, replacing the former Junior Engineer Program. It is designed to prepare future engineers to practise with rigour, competence, and integrity.

Whether you are a recent graduate from a Quebec university or an internationally trained professional, the Program offers a structured and supportive path to obtaining your engineering permit.

Illustrated Path

Here is a visual example of the typical path to obtaining an engineer’s permit in Quebec.

View illustration (in French)

THE STEPS

Becoming a Candidate

First, you must apply for admission to the OIQ.

Visit the Becoming an Engineer in Quebec page to begin your application.

If you studied engineering in Quebec, you can apply for admission once you’ve completed at least 60 university credits in your program.

If you studied engineering abroad, you may join the Professional Admission Program after the OIQ has granted you partial or full training equivalence based on your application.

Once your application is processed, you’ll receive a communication with all the information needed to register for the program.

Some applicants may be eligible for an exemption :

Members of another Canadian engineering association
Graduates of certified engineering schools in France
Applicants for a temporary permit for a specific project and limited time period

Even if exempt, these applicants still have important steps to complete and must submit an application to the OIQ to begin their professional journey in Quebec.

The Program

The Professional Admission Program is a key milestone on your journey to becoming an engineer in Quebec. It’s designed to ensure that every candidate develops the skills, knowledge, and professional mindset required to practise engineering with excellence.

By enrolling in the program, you’ll receive the temporary title of CEP or Candidate to the Engineering Profession. Throughout your progression, you’ll be guided by a dedicated supervisor who will support your development, monitor your progress, and provide constructive feedback.

As a CEP, you’ll also enjoy exclusive benefits offered by the OIQ:

Access to a specialized job board for engineering opportunities
A subscription to Plan magazine
A newsletter focused on engineering news and updates
Discounts on online training courses
Invitations to exclusive OIQ events

This program not only prepares you to meet the high standards of the profession, it connects you to a vibrant community of engineers committed to rigour, ethics, and innovation.

Admission Fees

There is an admission fee to join the Professional Admission Program. For a full overview of costs, please refer to our Fee Schedule under the heading “Candidate to the Engineering Profession.”

To support recent graduates and newly recognized professionals, the OIQ offers a 50% discount on the registration fee if you enroll in the program within six months of obtaining your engineering degree or receiving your training equivalence.

The CEP Designation

While enrolled in the program, you may use the official title CEP (Candidate to the Engineering Profession), recognized by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. For example, you can present yourself as:

Dominique Larochelle, Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP)
or
Dominique Larochelle, CEP

Throughout the program, you’ll be expected to develop both practical and theoretical skills and successfully pass the OIQ’s professional exam. You’ll also be required to uphold the Code of ethics of engineers, which governs the professional conduct expected of all members.

Completing the Program Within 5 Years

The Professional Admission Program must be completed over a minimum of 24 months and may be extended up to a maximum of 5 years, giving candidates the flexibility to progress at their own pace while meeting all required milestones.

Components of the Program

There are 3 components to the CEP program and the majority of candidates will be required to go through these stages.

Theoretical component

The program includes between 25 and 30 hours of online theoretical training, accessible via the CEP portal. This training aims to prepare you for the professional exam, which comprises around 100 multiple-choice questions. The pass mark for the exam is 60%.

Practical component

You should gain at least 24 months of practical experience and confirm attaining 6 target competencies through a self-assessment. To ensure validation, the practical component must be supervised by an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ beforehand. Any experience acquired in Quebec and submitted for evaluation for more than 12 months (cumulative or consecutive) prior to your registration as a CEP will incur additional fees. Please refer to the fee schedule (see “Common fees” in the Admissions section).

Certain activities carried out with your supervisor during your CEP program may qualify as continuing education when you become a member. This includes structured individual coaching, courses and workshops. See Appendix 4 of the Guide d’application du règlement sur la formation continue. You’ll both need to fill out a form in advance to validate these coaching hours.

Language component

To become an engineer in Quebec, one must have sufficient knowledge of French to practice the profession. If you completed your undergraduate studies in French, then you meet the requirements. If not, please refer to our page on practicing engineering in Quebec to understand the requirements and how to meet them.

Graduates from France

If your first engineering degree was obtained in France, the CEP program may not apply to you.

In fact, an important agreement was signed to facilitate mutual recognition of the title of engineer between Quebec and France. The ARM, or Arrangement sur la reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles, facilitates professional mobility and the integration of qualified workers into the job market in both territories.

The CEP Portal

When you become a Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP), the OIQ will provide you with access to a personal and secure online portal. This space contains all the essential information and services you’ll need throughout the Professional Admission Program, helping you stay organized and informed every step of the way.

CEP Portal