Technicians and technologists may achieve professional recognition through certification and registration by provincial associations in each of Canada's provinces.
A wide variety of occupations fall under the classifications of technologist and technician in Canada. It is important for you to understand how your credentials and experience compare to workers in Canada. For example, internationally trained individuals may work as an engineer in their home country, but may find that their occupation is classified as a technician or technologist in Canada.
Canada has two official languages: English and French. Depending on where you decide to live, you might be required to work in English, French, or in both languages. Become familiar with the requirements for your occupation in the province where you want to work. Specific occupations and different provinces will have slightly different processes for certification. Provincial requirements for certification usually include a language assessment, evaluation of academic credentials and work experience and a professional practice examination.
Canadian quick facts
Canada has 10 provincial technology associations that offer certification. There is one technology professional association in each province.
Certification in Canada is transferable between provinces. Once certified, transferring your registration to a technology professional association in another province is a simple process.
There are over 50,000 certified technology professionals in Canada. Certification is widely recognized and preferred by employers.
The engineering team in Canada
Engineering, like most other professions in Canada, is regulated by provincial law. The role of regulation is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and to protect the environment. Some members of the engineering team must be licensed to practice their profession or trade, while others must have permission to use specific titles. In Canada, members of the engineering team include:
Certified Technicians and Technologists may offer non-regulated engineering and technical services directly to the public. They must, however, work under the supervision of a Professional Engineer when providing professional engineering services to an employer or the public. Registration as an AScT or CTech is required to perform some non-regulated engineering work.
To use the professional designations C.E.T. (Certified Engineering Technologist); AScT (Applied Science Technologist); CTech (Certified Technician); RET (Registered Engineering Technologist); and TP (technologue professionnel – Quebec only) you must have legal permission from the provincial regulatory body in the province in which you wish to work.
Certified Technologists apply theoretical and practical methods to design, plan, develop, test, manufacture, construct, install, commission, operate and maintain engineered products, processes, systems and services. Certified Technicians apply theoretical and practical methods to assist with the design, development, manufacturing, testing, construction, installation, commission, operation and maintenance of engineered products, processes, systems and services.
To practice professional engineering, use the title Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or use any job title or make any statement that implies you are permitted to practice professional engineering, requires legal permission through registration or a licence issued a provincial regulatory body. If you wish to offer professional engineering services, you must either:
- Be registered as a Professional Engineer with the province in which you intend to work
- Obtain a Limited Licence as an Engineering Licensee from the provincial regulatory body; or
- Work under the direct supervision of someone who is registered with one of Canada’s provincial regulatory bodies as a Professional Engineer or an Engineering Licensee.
Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) are required by law to assume professional responsibility for the design, research and development, commissioning, and field review of construction of engineering projects. P.Eng. develop appropriate solutions to engineering problems through innovative application of scientific and engineering principles. They develop and apply new technologies, promote advanced designs and design methods, and pioneer new engineering methods. Engineering Licensees (Eng.L.) may offer professional engineering services as above, within a limited scope of practice.
Find a job in Canada
Certification as a technology professional in Canada is the first step in helping you prepare for employment in Canada. Registration with the technology professional association in the province you want to work in provides access to information on employment trends and job postings.
Labour market information
Canada is an extremely large country and depending on your skills you could find employment in a province that best matches your expertise, living and working conditions. Learn more about the labour market and industries in various provinces.
Resources for your career in Canada
Settlement services
Settlement agencies in every province provide support to newcomers to Canada. They help you adjust to your new community and life in Canada.
Military to civilian careers
Use your valued military training and experience to help you certify and register as an applied science or engineering technology technician or technologist.
Engineers Canada
To evaluate the opportunities through Engineering Canada, you can assess the national website to continue your search and review.