Education · 1 of 5

The path

A four year degree, then about four years of supervised work before you are fully licensed.

  1. 1

    High school

    Grades 11 and 12

    Calculus, Advanced Functions, Physics and Chemistry. Chemistry matters more here than in most engineering fields.

  2. 2

    Accredited engineering degree

    4 to 5 years with co-op

    Materials engineering, materials science and engineering, or metallurgical engineering. Many schools run a common first year and let you pick in second year.

  3. 3

    Engineer-in-training

    About 4 years

    Register with your provincial regulator, work under a licensed engineer and log your experience.

  4. 4

    Professional practice exam

    During your training years

    A law and ethics exam. Most people write it in their first or second year of work.

  5. 5

    P.Eng (professional engineer) licence

    After about 4 years of experience

    Now you can sign off on engineering work and take legal responsibility for it.