becoming a Registered P.Eng. 1

[DerekLJ]

In the US and Canada, after a certain number of years of experience, can a technologist become a registered professional engineer?

If so, how many years of experience is requiered?

 

[civilperson]

The United States no longer have an experience criteria for taking the PE exam, (since Oct. 1987). Must have degree in ABET accredited program, EIT and four years approved experience. (Some exceptions in experience with MS degree).

 

[DerekLJ]

thank you civilperson! maybe someone from canada can help me with the restrictions there?

 

[Twoballcane]

Did you do a search on this web site yet? I think this topic has been spoken about before.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[DerekLJ]

Yes, i did do a search, and i didn't find an answer that applied directly to my answer.

If you have a link to a thread about transfering my experience towards a mech eng degree or P.Eng. I would really appreciate it.

I graduated from a mechanical engineering technology program in British Columbia. I have been working as an engineer in the power generation and petroleum industry in Ecuador. Wages are alot lower here, and getting money to go back to school is a a definate problem, even though the experience is the best i could ask for.

I was wondering if could recieve creditation and call myself an engineer for the experience i've recieved, (after writing some exams of course!)

The thing is those that have Mech eng degrees here make much more money and move up quicker, even though i do the same things as them...

 

[TenPenny]

For the Province of New Brunswick, the rules are stipulated by the APEGNB (

http://www.apegnb.ca),

and it looks like it is possible to become a PEng without an engineering degree.
I have actually been part of the evaluation board that examines foreign-trained engineers for admission, but those are people with engineering degrees from other countries, which is obviously different from your case.

To quote:

The steps required are as follows:
Completion of an undergraduate degree in engineering/geoscience from an accredited university program or other academic or technical institution recognized by the Council. For candidates who have not completed an engineering / geoscience undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, a series of examinations may be taken as determined by the Association.


Application for registration as an Engineer- / Geoscientist-in-Training with the Association.


Approval of the application for EIT/GIT registration by the Admissions Committee of the Association, and subsequent ratification by the Council of the Association.


Completion of the required amount of certified engineering or geoscientist experience, under the supervision of a Professional Engineer / Geoscientist.


Submission of an application for membership to the Association.


Approval of the application for membership by the Admissions Committee of the Association, and subsequent ratification by the Council of the Association.

 

[Timelord]

DerekLJ,

P.E. licensing in the United States is controlled by the individual states. The specific requirements for actual registration vary from state to state. Check with the state you intend to work in. The exam is pretty much standardized i.e. most states use the same exam.
Check out the following links:

http://www.engineerseals.com/professional-engineer.php

http://www.asce.org/professional/licensure/

http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/

Timelord

 

[DerekLJ]

A star for you, tenpenny!

Thank you very much, your post, as well as everyones, was very helpful to me, so i'm archiving this thread.

please keep them coming if you know more about acreditation.
Being Canadian, i am more interested the canadian creditation because if i was ever to return, i would return there.

I am also interested in the US acreditation though, because Canadian documents aren't recognized easiliy here, where US documents are.

 

[global9000]

Without any Canadian work experience you can't get a P.Eng in Canada. I think you need at least 1 year of Canadian experience under a P.Eng on top of your international experience (not sure how many years you need of that). Without an engineering degree getting your P.Eng is tough. I should know, I did my electrical engineering technologist diploma first then went on to obtain my bachelors in engineering. I looked at the requirements here in British Columbia and I would have had to write 6 basic studies exams (courses like chemistry, materials, mechanics, electromagnetism, multivariable calculus and differential equations, thermodynamics, etc..), 3 complimentary studies exams (economics, ethics), and 7 specialization exams (electrical engineering subjects). I decided that instead of trying to learn all that on my own I would go to school instead!

 

[kelowna]

I am not completely sure, you should look at the website

http://www.apeg.bc.ca,

but I think you should be able to become a 'limited licencee' P.Eng. if you can prove enough experience and knowledge on your field of expertise. Basically you would become a P.Eng. but only be allowed to work on a specific area. Look it up, as I said, I am not sure. In any case you would have to pass the ethics and practice exams, plus most probably an interview. The process, if at all possible might take about a year.

Just a thought. Is becoming a P.Eng. really an issue? If you are good at your job, I do not think that it would be a limiting factor to go back to Canada and work there as whatever they want to call you, it is the quality of your work which will determine what you do.

 

[SylvestreW]

re: Ontario.
It's quite similar to NB.
1) If you don't have the necessary academic background then as a minimum you'll have an interview with a committee to determine your knowledge. Invariably you *will* have to write technical exams (which will require attending courses most likely). How much and in what area depends on many factors.
2) As other posted, you will need 1 year of Canadian engineering work experience in addition to your other experience, assuming it's engineering! - if it's not, you need 4 yrs total of engineering experience.


If it's something you are interested in, it's definitely a long-term commitment to achieve. It won't take just a year.


-
Aercoustics.com

 

[DerekLJ]

Thank you ALL, very much for your helpful posts.

 

[doberdorks]

I graduated from a mechanical engineering technology program in British Columbia. I have been working as an engineer in the power generation and petroleum industry in Ecuador. Wages are alot lower here, and getting money to go back to school is a a definate problem, even though the experience is the best i could ask for.

I will add that the people I know of who have gone the exam route in Alberta took over 10 years to get their P.Eng. (This was quite a while ago). Also if you're looking at continuing at your current job, then logistics of doing BC exams while in Ecuador might prove time consuming and expensive.

Let us know what you you decide to take


SLH

 

[DerekLJ]

Again, thanks alot to everyone.

from what i can see, it seems to be very difficult to do, and my reasons for doing it aren't really very strong ones. Those with engineering degrees can justify a higher wage in this country, and there are some things that require the stamp of a P.Eng. Beacuse of my personality, i HATE having to say that i can't do something. So eventhough i do the job of a licenced enginner, i have to say that i can't stamp that drawing.... I just want credit for what i do. I was hired as a Mech Eng, i want to be able to say that I AM a Mech eng.

Doberdorks, you had a very point. It would be VERY expensive sending paper work everywhere.

I think what i will do is just enroll in the mech. degree program where i studied (BCIT) and study distance. Being that it would be the same institute that i studied at before, i can be sure that ALL of my credits are transferable.

Honestly, i need to take things one step at a time. I think it would be wise to get my degree and licence first, and then worry about the P.Eng part later...

 

[Ashereng]

DerekLJ,

Without a engineering degree from an acredited Canadian university, you most likely will need to pass the technical exam. This is not much different than someone with an engineering degree from an institution NOT recognised by the relevant provincial association.

I have known of a colleague that had to write the exams. He was able to get his exams completed in 3 years, and is waiting to fulfill his working experience requirement, which is now 4 years I think in most provinces.

As for the US, it is correct that no states recognises a Canadian P. Eng. Hence, to get a PE in a state, you will need to pass their exams. Here also, I had a colleague do so - in this case, less than one year. The state in question did recognise his work experience (over 30 years working in Canada and overseas), so he was able to get his PE right after passing the exams and paying his dues.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[eliebl]

DerekLJ,

In Alberta there are provisions for Registered Professional Technologist. You can then practice within a limited scope. There are currently changes taking place so it may not be an RPT. Eng. much longer but there is a system in place. It's not a P. Eng. but you can still be responsible for your work.

EJL