Licensing guide · Quebec

How to Become a Professional Engineer in Quebec

Last checked 6 sources checkedNOC 21399

Do you need a licence?

Licence required

You must be registered with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec to work as a professional engineer in Quebec or to use a protected title.

Protected titles
Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“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.”

From oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Licence required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 7 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 50.8 to 87.7 months (only 4 of 7 steps state a time)

  1. Apply for admission to the OIQ once you have completed at least 60 university credits in your engineering program.

    Time: 8 to 12 weeks
    Time source
    “It will take 8 to 12 weeks to evaluate your application once submitted.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/foire-aux-questions
    Source
    “If you studied engineering in Quebec, you can apply once you have completed at least 60 university credits in your engineering program.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

  2. After your application is reviewed, enroll in the Professional Admission Program and receive the CEP title.

    Time: 2 to 5 years
    Time source
    “Once you’ve met the requirements, you’ll begin the program, which typically lasts between 2 and 5 years.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/foire-aux-questions
    Source
    “Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive the information needed to enroll in the Program.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

  3. Complete the 30-hour theoretical training program consisting of four mandatory online learning modules.

    Source
    “Before registering for the professional exam, you must complete the 30-hour theoretical training program, which consists of four mandatory learning modules available through your CEP portal.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/examinations/professional-exams

  4. Register for and pass the professional exam, which is written in French, lasts three hours and includes about 100 multiple-choice questions.

    Time: 30 days
    Time source
    “Your results will be sent by email within 30 days of taking the exam.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/examinations/professional-exams
    Source
    “The professional exam is written in French (except in certain situations authorized by the OIQ). It lasts three hours and includes approximately 100 multiple-choice questions.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/examinations/professional-exams

  5. Gain at least 24 months of practical engineering experience under the supervision of an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ.

    Time: 24 months
    Time source
    “You should gain at least 24 months of practical experience”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...
    Source
    “You should gain at least 24 months of practical experience and confirm attaining 6 target competencies through a self-assessment. To ensure validation, the practical component must be supervised by an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ beforehand.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

  6. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French to practise the profession, for example by completing three years of full-time study in French, passing secondary-level French exams, or passing the OQLF French exam.

    Source
    “The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) requires that you demonstrate proficiency in French. You can do so in one of the following ways: 1. Complete at least three years of full-time study at the secondary or post-secondary level. 2. Pass the fourth- or fifth-year secondary level exams in French as a first language (mother tongue). 3. Pass the OQLF French exam.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/students/become-an-eng

  7. Once the three components are complete, your file goes to the Admission Committee, which makes the final decision and grants the permit, after which you are registered on the roll.

    Source
    “Once the person has completed the three mandatory components of the Professional admission program (PAP), their file is submitted to the Admission Committee (AC), which makes the final decision and, grants the permit. The engineer is then registered on the roll, which contains the official list of engineers in Quebec.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/general-public/the-engineering-profession/who-can-beco...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Licensed in another province

  • 1 step without a listed fee

  1. Apply to the OIQ and complete the required steps to begin your professional journey in Quebec.

    Source
    “Even if you qualify for an exemption, you must still apply to the OIQ and complete the required steps to begin your professional journey in Quebec.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

1 step without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 5 steps without a listed fee
  • Listed time: 25.8 to 62.8 months (only 2 of 5 steps state a time)

  1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements for practising engineering in Quebec.

    Source
    “A foreign-trained professional who wishes to obtain a permit must first familiarize himself or herself with the requirements for practising engineering in Quebec.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

  2. Submit your application with all required documents, translated into French or English if necessary.

    Time: 8 to 12 weeks
    Time source
    “Please allow 8 to 12 weeks for your application to be processed.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...
    Source
    “They can then submit their application, which must include all the required documents, translated into French or English if necessary.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

  3. After the OIQ evaluates your application, meet the conditions it sets for entering the Professional Admission Program, such as exams, training or French language.

    Source
    “The OIQ then evaluates the application and informs the candidate of the conditions he or she must meet to enter the Professional Admission Program: ex. exams, training, French language, etc. Once these conditions are met, the candidate is admitted to the program.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

  4. Complete the Professional Admission Program, which has theoretical, practical and language components, within five years.

    Time: 2 to 5 years
    Time source
    “Once you’ve met the requirements, you’ll begin the program, which typically lasts between 2 and 5 years.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...
    Source
    “Enroll in the Professional Admission Program and become a Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP). You must complete this program within 5 years. There are 3 components to this program: theoretical, practical, and language.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

  5. Once you have completed the CEP program, apply for your engineer permit.

    Source
    “Once you have completed the CEP program, you can apply for your engineer permit.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • If you completed your engineering degree in another country, the OIQ must recognize your diploma as equivalent to a Quebec diploma.

    Source
    “Degree equivalency: if you completed your engineering degree in another country, you must obtain equivalency for that degree. This means that the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec must recognize your diploma as equivalent to a Quebec diploma.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

Experience

  • You must gain a minimum of 24 months of practical experience under the supervision of an experienced engineer.

    Source
    “You’ll need to gain a minimum of 24 months of practical experience under the supervision of an experienced engineer to fulfill the key competency requirements.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/foire-aux-questions

Other

  • You must demonstrate an adequate level of French proficiency to practise engineering in Quebec.

    Source
    “Language requirements: in Quebec, command of the French language is required by law for anyone wishing to practise engineering on a long-term basis. You must be able to demonstrate an adequate level of French proficiency.”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

  • If your engineering degree was awarded more than 5 years ago, you must demonstrate that your work experience or training since then has bridged the gap with the current curriculum.

    Source
    “If your engineering degree was awarded more than 5 years ago, the knowledge you acquired during your studies may no longer correspond to the current content of the curriculum. You must therefore demonstrate that your work experience or training acquired since then has bridged this gap”
    oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i...

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The pages say members of another Canadian engineering regulator may be exempt from the Professional Admission Program, but they do not state whether such applicants can register without further exams or assessments.

Source
“You may be exempt from the Professional Admission Program if you are: A member of another Canadian engineering regulator”
oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Exams

Language tests

No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Exemptions: If you completed your undergraduate studies in French, you meet the French language requirements.

Source
“If you completed your undergraduate studies in French, then you meet the requirements.”
oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec

Supervised practice

Required

You must gain at least 24 months of practical experience under the supervision of an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ.

Source
“You should gain at least 24 months of practical experience and confirm attaining 6 target competencies through a self-assessment. To ensure validation, the practical component must be supervised by an engineer you have chosen and declared to the OIQ beforehand.”
oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona...

Demand and pay

Job Bank figures for NOC 21399, Other professional engineers. Wages for 2023-2024 in Canadian dollars an hour; outlook for 2025-2027.

Job Bank wages and outlook in Quebec and Canada
WhereLowMedianHighOutlook
Quebec $28.75 $48.08 $71.29 Good (4 of 5)
Canada $28.00 $50.00 $82.42 —

Wages by region and job outlook in Quebec

Wages in every province and territory

Professional engineers in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 8 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

Compare professional engineer licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. International graduates – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/i-have-an-i... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. FAQ – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/foire-aux-questions · fetched October 10, 2026
  3. Professional Admission Program – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/devenir-ingenieur-au-quebec/professiona... · fetched October 10, 2026
  4. Professional Exam – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/futurs-membres/examinations/professional-exams · fetched October 10, 2026
  5. Become an eng – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/students/become-an-eng · fetched October 10, 2026
  6. Who Can Become an Engineer? – OIQ – Ordre des ingénieurs du QuébecIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon PathIcon Path oiq.qc.ca/en/general-public/the-engineering-profession/who-can-beco... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

2

Do you need a licence to work as a professional engineer in Quebec?

Yes. Registration with Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec is required to practise in Quebec.

Which exams are required?

Professional exam, OQLF French exam.

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