Internationally Educated Engineers

Are you an engineer educated in another country and thinking of relocating to Nova Scotia, Canada to live and work?
Are you an internationally educated engineer (IEE) already living in Nova Scotia?

Engineers Nova Scotia works hard to make the registration process as easy to understand as possible. Application information is available under the "Assessment" section of the website,here.

 

Steps to Registration with Engineers Nova Scotia for Internationally Educated Engineers

 

Engineers Nova Scotia encourages all internationally educated applicants to connect with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), a community-based organization that welcomes newcomers and offers a full range of support programs towards settlement in Nova Scotia.  ISANS also provides support for those intending to immigrate to Nova Scotia prior to arrival. 

 

Under the Nova Scotia Engineering Profession Act & By-Laws applicants who want to register with Engineers Nova Scotia must meet the following criteria:

  • be academically qualified

  • have obtained sufficient acceptable engineering work experience in area of qualification

  • have an understanding of local practices and conditions

  • be competent in the English Language

  • be of good character, and

  • demonstrate an understanding of professional practice and ethics issues.

 

If you have a Bachelor of Engineering Degree from a university outside of Canada, you will need to apply for an assessment of your academic and experience qualifications.  The Board of Examiners of Engineers Nova Scotia will review your application and determine the requirements for registration. 

 

You may begin compiling documents and submit your application for assessment to Engineers Nova Scotia prior to arriving in Canada.  A World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course credential assessment is now required for an assessment by the Board of Examiners.  You must select Engineers Nova Scotia as a recipient of the WES report.  Apply to WES  here.

 


Step 1: Submit an Online Application for Assessment

 

An online application for assessment is the first step in the process of becoming a professional engineer in Nova Scotia. The application is received by the Director of Registration for review to ensure all required documents have been submitted.   When complete, the application is submitted to the Board of Examiners for the next available Board meeting.  The Board meets at the end of each month from September to June.  All required documents must be received at least one month prior to a Board meeting in order to be added to the Agenda for the next meeting.   The Board reviews the academic and experience qualifications for licensure. The Board’s decision on the requirements for registration will be sent to you within three to four months.  If you have any questions about the process or your documents please contact registration@engineersnovascotia.ca.

 

The following documents and fees are required to assess your academic and experience qualifications for licensure.  They must be officially translated* into English and uploaded with your online application:

 

  1. a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course credential assessment sent to Engineers Nova Scotia from WES

  2. completed Online Application for Assessment 

  3. assessment application fee of $230 required at time of application

  4. copy of your degree certificate(s)

  5. copy of your original transcripts of marks

  6. official course descriptions for all years of the undergraduate and any post graduate engineering degrees, sent from the universities to Engineers Nova Scotia or direct from the University website and uploaded with your application.

  7. detailed work history signed by your supervisor or employer (Experience Requirement) 

  8. current, valid, government issued, photo identification with your signature 

*There may be fees associated with external translation services. Engineers Nova Scotia does not provide translation services.

 

Applicants who, for a valid reason and in spite of their best efforts including contacting the relevant government departments in the country of their education, cannot confirm the qualifications they claim through original documentation or certified copies will be afforded the opportunity to provide alternative means of proof.  Alternative means of proof must be accompanied by a sworn statement by the applicant (affidavit).

 

When your application is received you will be assigned a temporary application number and an online account will be generated in your name.  Your user id will be your temporary application number with an m in front, (ex. m20210000).  Invoices for any additional required fees and /or dues will be generated in your account and you must login to pay the invoice to complete your application.  Your receipt will also be available in your online account once an invoice is paid.

 

1.1  Academic Requirement

 

All engineers in Canada must meet standard academic requirements.  These are outlined nationally on the Engineers Canada website under Engineer / Engineering Regulator / National Guidelines.  Applicants who hold degrees from outside Canada may be required to complete examinations.

 

Examinations are assigned to confirm knowledge an applicant is believed to possess due to their academic history (confirmatory exams), or to meet the academic requirement (general exam program). General examinations are assigned when your academic record, compared to the Engineers Canada Examination Syllabus, appears to be lacking the study of fundamental engineering principles.

 

If you have a recognized Bachelor Degree in Engineering and have completed a Master Degree in Engineering in the same discipline, the Board of Examiners will review the Master Degree to determine if examinations may be waived.  Course descriptions (syllabus) for both the Bachelor and the Master Degrees are required to complete the assessment. 

 

1.2   Experience Requirement

 

The experience requirement for Full membership (P.Eng.) is four years of engineering experience approved by the Board of Examiners, with twelve months in a Canadian environment; or you must have 48 months of Board approved non-Canadian engineering experience and successful completion of one of the following to meet the Canadian environment experience content requirement:

 

 

a) The ISANS study program, Orientation and Communication Skills for Engineers".  

b)  The "Working in Canada Seminar" provided through Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC).  (Must be arranged through       the Engineers Nova Scotia Director of Registration) 

c)  A competency-based assessment through another engineering regulatory body in Canada.

d)  An equivalent course or program as approved by Engineers Nova Scotia.

 

Engineers may practice under the supervision of a P.Eng. to obtain the one year of experience in a Canadian environment.

 

 

As the quality and years of experience may be a factor in determining the requirements for registration, it is very important to submit a comprehensive record of your experience.  If you have 10 or more years of progressive, well documented engineering experience, the Board will review the experience to determine if examinations may be waived.  The experience records must be signed by the applicant and the Supervisor or Employer where the experience was obtained. 

 

The experience must be documented on the Engineers Nova Scotia Engineering Experience Record form, be a minimum of 4 pages per year of experience and be written according to the Experience Guidelines. The experience record form and experience guidelines are available here. 

 

Step 2:  Response from the Board of Examiners

 

The Board of Examiners reviews applications to assess the Academic and Experience Requirements for licensure. The results of an assessment will address both requirements:

 

2.1   Academic Requirements

 

If you have a recognized Bachelor of Engineering from outside Canada examinations will likely be assigned.

 

Post Graduate degrees in the same discipline and/or 10 or more years of progressive well documented engineering experience will be reviewed by the Board to determine if examinations may be waived.

 

Based on the experience submitted with an application, the Board of Examiners may invite an applicant for an interview to assess knowledge as an alternative to confirmatory examinations.  Interviews are offered at the discretion of the Board of Examiners on the basis of experience records as presented, and cannot be requested.

 

2.2   Experience Requirements

 

       The Board of Examiners may approve submitted experience at the time of assessment.  Applicants will be notified by letter of the experience credit granted and the remaining amount of experience required.

 

Step 3:  Meet the Requirements for Licensure

 

The requirements for registration which have been outlined by the Board of Examiners must be completed before you may apply for licensure.  The steps to complete the requirements for registration are outlined in a letter from the Director of Registration regarding the Board of Examiners decision.  The Director of Registration will monitor and support you in this process.

 

When an applicant is provided with the results of an assessment, the Director of Registration advises the applicant to review the decision and provide any additional information which could lead to a reconsideration of the assessment outcome.  Upon receipt of additional information the Director of Registration will provide this to the Board of Examiners.  Any amendments to the assessment decision will be communicated immediately following the meeting of the Board.

 

All efforts are made by staff and the Board of Examiners to provide a written rationale for requirements, such as examinations.  The intention is to provide a pathway to licensure that is transparent, fair and results in an applicant being given ample opportunity to meet licensing requirements.

 

Step 4:  Submit an Application for Registration as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

 

Once an applicant has completed the requirements outlined by the Board of Examiners they will be invited to apply for registration as an Engineer-inTraining (EIT) to complete the experience requirement and the National Professional Practice Exam.  The application form and application requirements for EIT are available  here.  With the application for registration as an EIT, you must submit the following documents:

  1. completed Online Application for EIT 

  2. application fees and dues (fees  here)

  3. experience records (if you have any further experience to submit at this time)

 

Step 5:  Completion of Requirements for Licensure as P.Eng.

 

 

The following outline the required actions or documentation that must be submitted with an application for licensure as a Professional Engineer.  These must be submitted all together in the application.

 

5.1    Experience Requirement

 

You must have 48 months of approved engineering experience an have met the Canadian environment experience content requirement.  

 

5.2    English Language Requirement

 

If your first language is not English, proof of the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in English, is required.  Acceptable documentation of English proficiency may include positive results of the TOEFL (580 on a written test or 237 on a computer based test) or the International English Language Test (IELTS Academic Level 6.5), Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB Level 8), confirmation of education in English, or employment or P.Eng. reference letters.

 

5.3    Good Character Requirement

 

You must provide the names of three people who have known you for a minimum of one year and are willing to provide a reference to attest to your character and engineering experience.  Two of the references must be Professional Engineers in good standing with their home association/ordre.

 

5.4    National Professional Practice Exam Requirement

 

The National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE) is a computer based Law and Ethics and Professionalism exam consisting of 110 multiple choice questions.   Before you can become a Professional Engineer in Canada you must successfully complete the NPPE to demonstrate an understanding of professional practice and ethics issues.  This exam must be completed by all engineers in Canada.  More information on the exam is available here.

 

 

Step 6:  Submit Application for Licensure, P.Eng.

 

Upon completion of the requirements in Steps 5, applicants are required to submit an application for licensure as a Professional Engineer within 30 days.  The application form and application requirements for P.Eng. are available here  and the fees are outlined here.


A pathway document has been created to help guide IEE's through the registration process.

 

Special Needs Accommodation

If you require accommodation for special needs when taking exams, please contact the Director of Registration.  Confirmation from a medical practitioner may be requested.

 

Links to other resources available to assist IEE's are below:

Engineers Canada Internationally Educated Engineers website  

If you are an international engineering graduate who is considering moving to Canada to practise engineering, visit the  Engineer Here Website

Fair Registration Practices Act (FRPA)

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund website

Labour Mobility website

International Qualification Recognition (IQR) 

Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI)

Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) Labour Mobility

Nova Scotia Start Program website