1. Engineering as a Profession
Manoj Choudhary, M. Eng., P.Eng.
Student Liaison Coordinator
Prelicensing Programs

2. Professional Engineers Ontario
Professional Engineers Ontario website
PEO Student membership (SMP) website

3. Objectives What is Professional Engineering?
How does PEO regulate the Profession?
What are PEO’s Licensing Requirements?
Why do we have SMP and EIT Programs?
Mobility of P.Eng. License

4. Definition of Engineering
“Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been”
Engineering is the application of scientific knowledge to the optimum conversion of resources that benefit the society
Engineers are not trained – they are educated

5. Defining Professionalism
A complex set of characteristics involving:
Specialized knowledge
Intense preparation
Dedication to public service
Autonomous decision-making authority in matters of importance to society.

6. Practice of Professional Engineering
All three items must be present:
Any act of designing, composing, evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising;
Wherein the safeguarding of life, health, property or the public welfare is concerned;
That requires the application of engineering principles.

7. Why become a P.Eng.? May be required by law
Right to use “P.Eng.” and “Engineer” in job title
Recognition by employers and clients
Commitment to the profession
Participation in professional self-regulation
A global advantage
opportunities for advancement
Act requires you to hold license to provide engineering services in Canada.
Please note, since February 2003, licensed professional engineers are the only persons who can legally use the term ‘engineer’ in job title.
Some employers and/or clients will not hire and/or promote you without it. It is worth noting that professional engineers tend to earn more money and have better promotional opportunities than unlicensed grads.
A reward for all those years of hard work, efforts and dedication – P. Eng. - in front of your name
You can influence the way engineers are perceived in our society
P.Eng. Designation is well recognized throughout the world. Instant credibility with multinational companies that can lead to expanded employment opportunities.

8. PEO - Facts licensed Professional Engineers, P.Eng. 67,000
Engineering Interns (EIT) ,000
Certificate of Authorization ,900
Designated Consulting Engineers ,300
Student Members ,600

9. Historical Perspective
Professional Engineers Act
June 14th, 1922 – Creation of APEO
1930’s elevated to level of profession through ‘right to practice’
1970’s mandatory Professional Practices Exam
1990’s intern experience period doubled
February 2003 – Strict use of terminology including ‘engineer’

10. Professional Engineers Ontario
Mandate:
“Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) administers and enforces the Professional Engineer’s Act of Ontario,
sets the standards of practice for professional engineering in Ontario,
Licenses & disciplines engineers & engineering firms, including control of the use of titles such as engineer, P.Eng., & Consulting Engineer
in order that the public interest may be served and protected”.

11. How PEO Works? Provides a self-governing facility; PEO Council; and
Council approved committees:
develop policies;
carry out legislated functions;
guide the Association.
37 Chapters across Ontario

12. How PEO Functions
Setting standards for admission & the practice of professional engineering;
Developing and communicating these standards; and
Ensuring practice at the requisite level by only authorized professionals.
To serve and protect the public interest

13. PEO’s Regulatory Functions
3 Main Departments:
Standards & Regulations
Licensing & Registration
Regulatory Compliance

14. Licensing & Registration – Admission Criteria
4 year bachelor of engineering degree;
Professional Practice Examination;
Good character; 3 references;
Legal status in Canada
48 months acceptable engineering experience; with at least 12 months in Canada.
Must be at least 18 years old.

15. Pre-Graduation Experience
Up to 12 months credit;
After 50% of course work;
Stepping-stone in career development;
Assessed after 12 months post-graduate experience.
Pregraduation Experience Record Form available at

16. Post-Graduate Degrees
Eligible for 12 months experience credit;
Thesis research work can count additionally
Applied engineering nature;
External industrial funding & application
Industrial P.Eng. referee
Total time-credit cannot exceed time taken for degree and thesis

17. Engineering Experience
Application of theory;
Practical experience;
Management of engineering;
Communication skills; and
Social implications of engineering.

18. Application of Theory
Do I need my engineering studies to do my job? If so, how?
Link your work to your academics, refer to specific engineering principles:
What are the important parameters to consider?
What are the options available to you?
How did you make your decision?
Who did you consult and how much assistance did you receive?
Why is the selected method appropriate under the circumstances?

19. Practical Experience
The function of components as part of a larger system;
Limitations of practical engineering;
What considerations did you have to make due to real world conditions?
What codes and standards did you use as part of your engineering work?
Why was it necessary to refer to these – what is the basis for these?
How did limitations of time, material, personnel, etc. affect your engineering work?

20. Management of Engineering
Planning;
Scheduling;
Budgeting;
Supervision;
Project control; and
Risk assessment.

21. Communication Skills How do you report your work?
Any written reports? Who receives these?
Opportunities for presentations?
Participation in meetings?
Any examples of having to promote your engineering ideas through a reporting mechanism? What was the result?

22. Social Implications Benefits of engineering to the public; Safeguards;
Relationship between engineering and the public; and
Role of regulatory agencies.

23. Doubtful Experience Cross-discipline candidates
Technician’s/ administration work
Quality activities
Patent agents
Teaching
Constructions
Sales Representatives

24. Discipline vs. Enforcement
DISCIPLINE – Handles complaints against licensed engineers for incompetence, negligence, or professional misconduct.
ENFORCEMENT – Concerned with practice of professional engineering by non-engineers, improper use of engineering titles by non-engineers, and unauthorized independent practice by engineers without a C of A.

25. Discipline Committee Revoke licence Suspend licence
Limit professional work
Demonstrate knowledge - exams
Publish findings including names
Right to appeal at Divisional Court

26. Enforcement Process Contact the offenders
Educate them to the enforcement provisions of the Act
Give them “a reasonable chance to comply”
Negotiate a satisfactory settlement
Legal proceedings are utilized when there is no cooperation from the offenders and where there is compelling evidence of an offence.

27. Sources of Responsibilities
Professional code of ethics
Specific legislated duties
Contractual duties

28. PEO Code of Ethics – Bottom Line
Being a professional carries certain legal and ethical responsibilities.
Recognizing ethical dilemmas and determining actions to address them are important skills for professionals.
Your professional colleagues can assist you to make ethically sound decisions.

29. SMP - Objectives Increase level of professional awareness & behaviour
Promote better communication between students and the engineering community
Standardize the delivery of PEO’s programs and activities to students
Provide a seamless transition from student through to licensed P.Eng.

30. SMP - Benefits
Link to the engineering community through on-line information, Engineering Dimensions Magazine (see your EngSoc office on campus), Chapter involvement & surveys
Questions about engineering answered through your web connection to PEO
Participation means that your voice is heard and you & your opinions are counted!
FREE

31. Financial Credit Program (FCP)
CEAB Graduate Students
PEO will waive $ Lic. Application fee
FREE EIT Membership – First Year
Must apply on-line within six months of Grad.

32. Engineering Intern Training (EIT) Program
Annual review of work experience
Personal guidance related to work experience
EIT Seminars
EIT title for business cards & resumes
PEO publications mailed directly to you
Chapter membership
OSPE membership eligibility

33. New & Developing Services
Experience summary reviews
EIT introduction seminars
Mentoring (through the Chapters)

34. Your Road-Map to Professionalism
Student Membership Program (SMP)
Engineer Internship Training Program (EIT)
P.Eng. Licence

35. Advocacy Vs. Regulatory
OSPE
For the benefit of the engineer
Advocacy role within government and industry
Member services including salary surveys; career centre
PEO
To serve and protect the public
Licence qualified individuals
Regulate the practice of engineering through enforcement and discipline

36. Mobility of License in Canada
Applicants licensed as Professional Engineers by another Canadian engineering assoc.
For at least five years – no additional requirements
Less than five years may be required to write PPE and meet current licensing requirements

37. Mobility of License in the U.S.
Each state and jurisdiction of the United States have local laws governing the practice of engineering.
Generally requirements to become licensed as a P.E
Education (accredited program)
FE Exam (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam)
Experience (4 years)
PE Exam (Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam in your chosen discipline)