Professional Admission Program

Becoming a CEP

In Quebec, to obtain the title of Engineer, one must first become a Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP). This program replaces the Junior Engineer Program and prepares future engineers to practice with rigour and competence.

Illustrated pathway

A visual exemple of the typical path to obtaining an engineer’s permit in Quebec.

View the illustration (in French)

The steps of the CEP program

Becoming a candidate

To join this program, you must first apply for admission to the OIQ.

Consult the page Becoming an engineer in Quebec to apply for admission.

If you studied engineering in Quebec
You can apply for admission to the OIQ once you have obtained at leaste 60 credits in your university program.
If you studied engineering abroad
You can join the Professional Admission Program as soon as the OIQ has granted you partial or total equivalence of training following your application for admission.

When the application is processed by the OIQ, you will receive a communication with all the information you need to register to the program. The only persons exempt from the Professional Admission Program are:

Those who are already members of another Canadian engineering association
Those who hold an engineering degree obtained in France and who benefit from the “Arrangement sur la reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles” (ARM)
Those applying for a temporary permit for a specific project

However, they still have other obligations to fulfill and must apply to the OIQ for admission.

Paying for admission to the program

For a summary of costs, see our Fee Schedule under the heading “Candidate to the engineering profession.”

A 50% discount applies if you register for the Professional Admission Program within 6 months of obtaining your engineering degree or equivalency.

Using the CEP designation

You can now use this official title, recognized by the OIQ. You will thus become “Dominique Larochelle, candidate for the engineering profession (CEP)

or “Dominique Larochelle, CEP.”

You must acquire practical and theoretical skills throughout the program and pass the OIQ’s professional exam. You will also have to respect the Code of ethics of engineers.

Completing the program within 5 years

You have a maximum of 5 years to complete the Professional Admission Program successfully, but you may complete it sooner. The minimum time frame is 24 months.

The CEP program has three components

Theoretical component

The program includes 25 to 30 hours of online theory training, accessible through your CEP portal. The courses are designed to prepare you for the professional exam, which consists of about 100 multiple-choice questions. The passing score for the exam is 60%.

Practical component

You must complete a minimum of 24 months of practical work and confirm the acquisition of 6 target competencies through a self-assessment (in French). To be valid, this practical component period must be supervised by an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ beforehand.

Language component

To become an engineer in Québec, you must have sufficient knowledge of French to practice the profession. For instance, if you completed your undergraduate studies in French, you could meet the requirements. Otherwise, consult our page Practicing engineering in Quebec to learn about the language requirements and how to meet them.

Did you obtain your degree in France?

If your first engineering degree was obtained in France, your path to obtaining a permit could be different.

The ARM is an agreement between the OIQ and the Commission des titres d’ingénieurs (CTI) in France.

A temporary restrictive permit (TRP) is issued under the Arrangement sur la reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles (ARM) to those who wish to obtain a permit, have obtained their first engineering degree in France at an educational institution recognized by the arrangement.

The specific conditions that apply to you are described in the Regulation. Below are the main points to consider when obtaining your engineering permit in Quebec. Note that a temporary restrictive engineering permit holder may use the title “Eng. PRT.” However, you are not allowed to use the title “Engineer” or its abbreviation “Eng.” and you may only practice under the immediate direction and supervision of a registered engineer while you hold your temporary restrictive permit.

Useful links and documents

Apply to the Professional Admission Program

Skills to be mastered (CEP and PRT, in French)

Competency Assessment Guide for temporary permit holders (TRP)

Competency Assessment Guide for CEP

Fee schedule

Professional exams

Regulation respecting the terms and conditions of the issuance of permits by the OIQ (in French)

I have international degree

Application for a temporary permit (specific project)

I am a member of a Canadian association

The CEP portal to serve you

The OIQ will give you access to this personal and secure online space as soon as you register for the Professional Admission Program. You will find all the information and services you need.

Access the CEP portal

Need help?

Contact our team for help with your application or to get more information on the Professional Admission Program.

Contact the OIQ

The Engineering Profession

Protection of the public

Reports and Complaints

Your Obligations

M’impliquer à l’Ordre

Benefits of becoming a member

Becoming an Engineer in Québec

The Examinations

Our mission and our vision

Lois, règlements et politiques

Gouvernance