Becoming an Engineer in Québec

Practicing the profession

To practice engineering in Quebec, you must first become a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. The steps to obtain an engineer’s permit vary depending on the country in which you obtained your degree.

Below, we present the typical steps to obtaining a permit. To obtain more details, consult the path specific to your profile or contact us.

Becoming a member

A visual representation of the steps to becoming a member and obtaining an engineer’s permit in Quebec.

Submit an application

Once you have submitted an application, we verifiy that you have an engineering degree, or an equivalence, recognized by the OIQ. We also make sure that all your documents are in order. You must complete the application form that corresponds to your profile, based on the country in which you obtained your first degree. In other words, the process may differ depending on where you first studied engineering, and your engineering experience since then.

Review by the Admissions Committee

The Admissions Committee reviews the files of those who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of Quebec and then renders a decision. This decision indicates whether you have partial or total equivalence. Depending on the case, you may be required to do additionnal training (admission exams or training, depending on the gaps identified during the review) to obtain full equivalence. Always refer to the decision rendered in your file, as it contains all the necessary information about your profile.

Learn more about the admission exams

Registration as a CEP

As a candidate to the Engineering Profession or CEP, you will be required to complete all three components of the Professional admission program: theory, practice, and language.

Obtain your permit

Once you have demonstrated that you can practice engineering in Quebec according to Quebec standards, you will obtain your permit, membership status, and the right to practice in Quebec.

See the Members section

Request a review

At any time, a candidate to the engineering profession (CEP) may apply for a review, or file a complaint, if they feel that a decision made by the Admission Board’s is wrong or unjustified.

File a complaint

Your profile

Select the profile that applies to you.

Vous avez besoin d'aide pour trouver votre profil ?

Répondez à quelques questions et vous serez redirigé vers la bonne page.

Quel type de permis désirez-vous obtenir ?

Un permis regulier

Un permis temporaire ou une autorisation spéciale (projet spécifique)

Êtes-vous membre de plein droit d'une autre association d'ingénieurs au Canada ?

Oui

Non

Êtes-vous détenteur d'un diplôme d'ingénieur de 1er cycle ?

Oui - Obtenu au Québec

Oui - Obtenu au Canada (hors Québec)

Oui - Obtenu en France

Oui - Obtenu dans un autre pays

Non

Conclusion

Vous trouverez des informations sur votre profil de candidat dans la section :

I have a degree from Quebec

If you have obtained your undergraduate degree in engineering or another related field, in Quebec.

Learn more

I have a degree from Canada

If you have obtained your undergraduate degree in engineering in Canada (but not in Quebec). For those who are not a member of a Canadian engineering association.

Learn more

I am a member of another association in Canada

If you have an engineering permit from another province or territory. For those who are already practicing engineering in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Learn more

I have an international degree

If you have obtained your undergraduate degree in engineering in a country other than Canada. For graduates and those already practicing engineering in another country.

Learn more

Candidate to the engineering profession

Once your admission file is complete and in conformance, you can register as a candidate to the engineering profession (CEP). Congratulations! You have five years to complete the Professional Admission Program.

Professional admission program

The program has three components: theory, practice, and language. The theory component is completed by passing a three-hour professional exam. The order in which these three components are completed is up to you. See our Professional Admission Program page for more information.

Learn more

Finding a supervisor

The OIQ believes it is essential that you have a competent person to support you on your journey. This person acts as a supervisor, and you are responsible for finding them. Need help doing so? Visit our page and find the right person for you!

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

In Quebec, are engineering graduates automatically considered engineers?

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.

Why do we have an order for engineers?

The work of engineers directly influences many areas of your life. If this work is not done correctly, the consequences can be severe.

The OIQ is responsible for supervising and monitoring professional activities to ensure that each engineer has the training and skills required to practice their profession in accordance with the four central values of engineering: competence, responsibility, ethics, and social commitment.

The OIQ is responsible for the following:

Admission of members
Support and supervision of members
Monitoring illegal practice
Improvement of the profession’s practice
Prevention in engineering
Enhancement of the profession’s values

The OIQ also ensures that obligations related to ethics and professional practice are respected.

Consult:

The page The role of the OIQ
The page Protection of the public

Does the OIQ take a position on specific issues?

The OIQ takes a position on current issues that affect the engineering profession. If you wish to have a comment on a specific topic, you must contact the person in charge of the media at the OIQ.

Consult:

Media contact at the OIQ
The Publications section, including the latest press release (in French)

Where can I find a list of the OIQ’s activities and events?

The best way to stay informed about the OIQ’s activities is to consult its calendar. You can also consult the OIQ’s profile on Facebook and LinkedIn to find out about all our news and upcoming events.

Consult:

The Engineering Profession

Protection of the public

Reports and Complaints

Your Obligations

Getting Involved with the OIQ

Benefits of Becoming a Member