Who can call themselves an "engineer"?

Starting a Professional Experience Year (PEY), internship, or another work-integrated learning opportunity, or graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, marks a significant milestone in the academic journey of every engineering student. 

But do these achievements qualify them to be “Engineers”? No. 

The Weight of the Designation 

Under the Professional Engineers Act of Ontario, the title “Engineer” is reserved exclusively for individuals licensed by the appropriate provincial or territorial engineering regulator. 

One key reason for the field’s legal protection is that it involves complex intellectual activities, ranging from planning and design to the construction and maintenance of vital infrastructure and technologies that shape the foundational frameworks of society. Second, public safety and trust are paramount in this profession. Given engineering’s profound influence on daily life, engineers are entrusted with ensuring the safety, reliability, and integrity of the systems and structures they design and build. 

Therefore, to uphold the integrity and responsibility of the profession, it warrants governance by the highest standards of rigour and accountability. 

The “Engineer” Conundrum 

A common misconception is the use of the title “Engineer” by individuals outside of accredited engineering programs or without professional licensure, particularly in roles such as “Software Engineer” or “Data Engineer”. 

In traditional engineering disciplines, licensed practitioners typically come from programs accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, with well-defined scopes, practices, and standards. However, the regulation and enforcement of software engineering often overlap with those of software programming. This is further complicated as many professionals in software-related fields come from diverse academic and industry backgrounds outside of traditional engineering pathways. 

While fields like software and data engineering are exciting and innovative branches of the tech world, they often do not fall under the traditional definitions governed by engineering regulators. Still, it’s important to remember that the title “Engineer” is legally protected in Canada to uphold the trust, safety, and standards associated with the profession.

The Path to Becoming an “Engineer” 

One of the most essential stages on the path to becoming a fully licensed engineer after completing academic requirements for engineering graduates is enrolling as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT), Member-in-Training, or an equivalent designation, depending on the province or territory. Requirements for the EIT designation vary across provinces; however, it is not currently offered in all provinces, such as Ontario. 

This transitional phase helps bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice, offering several valuable advantages:

1. Signals to employers your dedication to career development and intent to meet the standards required to become an Engineer. 

2. Recognizes your commitment to upholding the public interest and ethical practice, granting you the legal right to use titles such as “Engineer-in-Training,” “Member-in-Training,” or “Junior Engineer.”

3. Develops your technical judgment and practical competencies through supervised experience under a licensed Professional Engineer (P. Eng).

4. Provides access to mentorship, career resources, and exclusive benefits available to EITs. 

Achieving the Title of “Engineer” or “Professional Engineer”

In Canada, a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) is the official designation granted upon licensure to practice engineering in the country. As such, recent graduates of engineering programs are referred to as engineering graduates and can only legally practice engineering if a P.Eng. assumes responsibility for the work. 

Several requirements for licensure vary by jurisdiction, but generally, to legally use the title “Engineer,” “Professional Engineer,” or the “P.Eng.” designation, individuals must: 

1. Complete an accredited engineering degree.

2. Gain the necessary engineering work experience.

3. Pass the Professional Practice Examination (PPE).

4. Demonstrate good character.

5. Meet language proficiency requirements.

Only once these steps are fulfilled can an individual officially and legally refer to themselves as an engineer.