Streamlining the Competency-Based Assessment Process for Engineering Applicants

APEGA will be updating the competency-based assessment (CBA) process for engineering applicants on July 18, 2026. Applicants with international work experience will now be able to demonstrate Canadian work environment equivalencies directly in the application process, removing the need to have one year of Canadian work experience and allowing them to practise independently more quickly.

Canadian-equivalent experience

Of the existing 22 competencies currently included in the engineering CBA process, eight will now be considered mandatory Canadian work environment competencies. Each of those eight have a minimum required score applicants must meet.

APEGA recently introduced a similar CBA approach for geoscience applicants. In that model, seven of the 29 competencies enable applicants to demonstrate Canadian work environment equivalencies.

Once this update is complete, all APEGA applications will follow the same CBA approach, supporting a nationally consistent method for evaluating Canadian and international professional experience. These changes also align with the Government of Alberta’s amendments to the Fair Registration Practices Act, announced on November 17, 2025.

For current applicants

If you have already applied for membership and your application is in progress, you will continue under the requirements in effect at the time of your application.

If you have questions about your application, please contact your registration program coordinator directly, or the general registration department at [email protected].