{"id":58028,"date":"2026-09-29T10:35:58","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T14:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oiq.qc.ca\/?post_type=publication&p=58028"},"modified":"2026-09-29T10:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T14:40:10","slug":"you-can-launch-a-startup-in-engineering-before-you-get-your-permit","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/www.oiq.qc.ca\/en\/publication\/you-can-launch-a-startup-in-engineering-before-you-get-your-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"You can launch a startup in engineering before you get your permit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019re fine-tuning a product concept, a technical solution, a prototype, or a startup project that\u2019s no longer just sitting in a file named \u201cgreat-idea-final-version-the-real-deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have to wait until you get your engineer\u2019s permit to get started?<\/p>\n

Short answer: no.<\/p>\n

You can start your business while you\u2019re still studying, develop your project, seek funding, find partners, manage your first contracts, hire staff, and oversee production.<\/p>\n

But if your business starts carrying out reserved activities, you\u2019ll need to bring in an engineer.<\/p>\n

In other words: Your idea is yours. Some responsibilities aren\u2019t\u2014at least not yet.<\/p>\n

Your business, your ideas, your choices.<\/h2>\n

But not every professional right.<\/h3>\n

Being your own boss can make it feel like the world is yours and there are no limits!<\/p>\n

Not quite. Your business may be young, agile, innovative, and already fine-tuning its demo, but there are still rules that apply.<\/p>\n

You can be a founder, co-founder, product manager, tech lead, CTO, or any other title that accurately describes your role. But if you don\u2019t yet have your permit, your title shouldn\u2019t imply that you\u2019re an engineer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The same goes for reserved activities. You can test an idea, build a prototype, or improve a feature. But when it comes to confirming that a solution is safe, compliant, ready to use, or suitable for a specific purpose, that\u2019s a whole different story. Reviewing or approving plans, recommending a technical modification, diagnosing a failure, or confirming compliance with technical requirements may require an engineer\u2019s involvement. Stay alert and make sure you don\u2019t carry out reserved activities on your own if you\u2019re not an OIQ member.<\/p>\n

And if your project is based on a prototype<\/a> or a PLC<\/a>, the question isn\u2019t just: \u201cDoes it work?\u201d It\u2019s also: \u201cWho has decided what it\u2019s supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Your best move: don\u2019t wait until the end to bring in an engineer.<\/h2>\n

Hiring an engineer or bringing one in to review critical plans and specifications doesn\u2019t mean giving up control of your idea. It means knowing when to bring in the right people instead of taking responsibility for decisions that belong to an engineer.<\/p>\n

The worst move is waiting too long: when the report has to go to the client, the field test is already scheduled, delivery is coming up, or everyone is suddenly scrambling for a signature.<\/p>\n

When in doubt, talk to a professor, lecturer, licensed engineer in good standing, or the OIQ.<\/p>\n

You can dream big, launch your startup, and move your project forward while you\u2019re still in school. You don\u2019t need to know how to do everything yourself. The smart move is knowing when to bring in the right people\u2014especially when a decision requires specific expertise or professional responsibility.<\/p>\n

Your idea is still yours. But some decisions need the support of an engineer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"startup, business, permit, engineer, female engineer, entrepreneur, female entrepreneur, studies, reserved activities, prototype, automated system, validation, plans, specifications, engineering practice, ing. title","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"type_publication":[],"secteurs_activites":[],"categorie_publication":[],"theme":[],"class_list":["post-58028","publication","type-publication","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYou can launch a startup in engineering before you get your permit - OIQ - Ordre des ing\u00e9nieurs du Qu\u00e9bec (French only)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You can launch your startup during your studies without an engineering license. 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