Education · 1 of 5

The path

Degree, then one of three doors: industry, medicine or grad school.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Advanced Functions, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and usually Biology. Marks in the high 80s to low 90s.

2. 2

   Accredited biomedical engineering degree

   4 to 5 years with co-op

   A four-year Bachelor of Engineering or Applied Science at a school accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Mechanical or electrical engineering with a biomedical option is just as accepted by employers.

3. 3

   Engineer-in-training

   About 4 years

   Register with your provincial regulator and work under a licensed engineer at a device company or hospital.

4. 4

   Professional practice exam

   During your EIT (engineer-in-training) years

   A law and ethics exam, taken during your training years.

5. 5

   P.Eng (professional engineer) licence

   After 4 years

   Apply with your experience record and references. Or skip it: a master's, PhD or medical school are the other common next steps.