We provide resources to assist our stakeholders in understanding our regulatory role and how we protect the public interest.
As part of its regulatory mandate, PEO establishes, maintains and develops: standards of knowledge and skill; standards of practice for the profession; standards of professional ethics; and promotes public awareness of its role. The following are resources to assist PEO stakeholders--licence holders, applicants, and the public--in understanding their roles and responsibilities and the regulator’s work protecting the public interest.
Resources
Ontario professional engineers are part of a community of more than 87,500 PEO licence and certificate holders committed to enhancing the quality of life, safety and well-being in the province.
PEO’s Engineering Intern (EIT) program provides guidance and assistance to engineering graduates as they acquire the 48 months of acceptable engineering work experience, including annual reviews of experience.
As the regulator of engineering in Ontario, it’s PEO’s role to assure the public that licensed practitioners are competent to practise in their chosen discipline, and that they are taking responsibility for the outcomes of their work.
As Ontario’s engineering regulator, PEO relies heavily on its volunteers. More than 1,000 professional engineers, engineering interns and non-engineers volunteer their time each year on behalf of the association through their participation.
PEO's mandate, as described in the Professional Engineers Act, is to ensure that the public is protected and that individuals and companies providing engineering services uphold a strict code of professional ethics and conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can practice professional engineering?
In most situations only a professional engineer can practice professional engineering in Ontario. According to the Act "professional engineer" means a person who is granted a licence or a temporary licence by Professional Engineers Ontario. PEO can also issue a limited licence to an individual who, as a result of 10 or more years of specialized experience, has developed competence in a clearly defined area of professional engineering. Holders of limited licences are able to practice only within a narrowly defined area of professional engineering. Unlicenced individuals, such as technologists and technicians, are able to do any of the tasks normally reserved for professional engineers only if they are working under the supervision of a P.Eng.
1. What is the practice evaluation element?
Refer to the Core Elements page for details about the practice evaluation element.
3. How does the PEAK Practice Evaluation apply to “non-practising” licence holders?
Licence holders who are in a “non-practising” situation are asked to complete a non-practising survey comprising a series of short multiple-choice questions on their non-practising circumstances and expectation for a return to a practising status. Non-practising licence holders retain both title and practice rights for Ontario; however, licence holders registered in the reduced fee program only retain title rights and are not allowed to practise professional engineering until they exit the fee remission program. Non-practising licence holders who return to a practising situation should immediately update their practice status declaration and complete the PEAK program as a practising licence holder for that licence period.
Can continuing knowledge activities I already undertake to comply with requirements of a program from another provincial association, technical association, or my company count toward the PEAK program?
Yes, any continuing knowledge activity you undertake to comply with the program requirements of another provincial association (including OACETT), technical association or company will be accepted for the PEAK program.
Does PEO accept continuing knowledge activities completed in another province or with another regulator?
Yes.
Does PEO assist licence holders who find the knowledge declaration challenging?
PEO provides resources to assist licence holders, including guidelines and information sessions.
Does PEO accredit continuing knowledge activities courses to ensure they have value?
No. The value of a course depends on the needs of each licence holder. It is up to licence holders to develop a continuing knowledge plan of value to them.
Does attending manufacturer’s workshops and training sessions on their new products or technologies count as continuing knowledge activities?
Yes, if the workshop training session deals with any of the core competencies given above.
Can attending a PEO chapter event count towards my continuing knowledge hours?
Yes. The program recognizes continuing knowledge activities that are learning sessions with technical knowledge and focus on maintaining or enhancing engineering competence. PEO provides guidance on the three types of continuing knowledge activities that are recognized by the PEAK program.
PEO does not validate specific continuing knowledge activities or endorse activity providers as being eligible for the PEAK program. Practising licence holders are asked to determine their own needs based on their practice and pursue relevant continuing knowledge opportunities, then report these activity hours to PEO using the online reporting tool in their Member Portal account.
Does PEO recognize online courses?
Yes. PEO is not concerned with how an individual learns but, rather, with what they learn. Any course that has content addressing at least one of the five core engineering competencies is acceptable. The core competencies are:
- A – Apply engineering knowledge, methods and techniques
- B – Use engineering tools, equipment or technology
- C – Awareness of the risks and impacts of engineering work
- D – Manage engineering activities
- E – Communicate engineering information