This document was updated in collaboration with the Labour Market Integration Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration in January 2007. Requirements may have changed by the time you apply. Please contact the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists before completing your application.

Copyright in this Career Map is held jointly by the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, © 2007. This career map may be used or reproduced by any third party for non-commercial, not-for-profit purposes, provided that no fee, payment or royalty of any kind shall be charged by the third party for any further use or reproduction of the career map by any person. Any proposed commercial or for-profit use or reproduction of this career map requires a written licence from the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.

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Professions in the field of engineering/applied science technology are not regulated in Canada. Certification is voluntary and not required in order to work as a technician or technologist. However, certification for engineering/applied science technicians and technologists is offered in each province by provincial associations, and may be required by some employers.

In Ontario, certification for engineering/applied science technicians and technologists is available through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). OACETT is a non-profit, self-governing, professional association of approximately 23,000 members. OACETT functions under the Statutes of Ontario by the OACETT Act of 1984 (revised 1998). The Act recognizes OACETT as a professional body whose main objective is to establish and maintain high standards for the profession of engineering and applied science technology.

Once certified as members of OACETT, technicians and technologists can use the titles:

• Certified Technician (C.Tech.)
• Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.)
• Applied Science Technologist (A.Sc.T.)

In Canada it is illegal to use these titles without being certified as a full member of a certifying association. In Ontario, only certified members of OACETT may use these titles. Technicians and technologists trained in engineering or applied science technology who are not certified may call themselves technician, engineering technician, technologist, or engineering technologist.

Certified Engineering and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists specialize in the following engineering or applied science disciplines:

• Civil/Building/Geomatics Engineering Technology
• Chemical/Instrumental Materials
• Bio-Science Engineering Technology
• Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering Technology
• Mechanical/Industrial Engineering Technology
• Resources/Mining
• Geological Engineering Technology
• Environmental
• Forestry

Certified Engineering/Applied Science Technicians and Technologists work for consulting firms, manufacturers, industries, utilities, educational institutions, and government in a variety of positions ranging from project manager, maintenance supervisor, and quality analyst to professor, president, and chief executive officer. They usually work as part of an engineering team, but may also work as consultants operating on their own or in partnerships.

Certification requirements in Ontario

To become a Certified Technician or Technologist in Ontario you must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or authorized under the Immigration Act to work in Canada.
2. Have the appropriate education/academic training.
   • Certified Technicians (C.Tech.) must have a diploma from a recognized engineering or applied science technician program at a post-secondary educational institute; or have passed advanced technical courses; or have earned certificates recognized by the Institute of Engineering Technology of Ontario (IETO), OACETT’s registration board.
   • Certified Engineering Technologists (C.E.T.) or Applied Science Technologists (A.Sc.T.) must have a diploma from a recognized program in engineering/applied science technology at a post-secondary educational institute; or have passed advanced courses in technology; or have earned certificates recognized by IETO, OACETT’s registration board.
3. Write and pass OACETT’s Professional Practice Exam.
4. Write a Technology Report (for C.E.T. only).
• The Technology Report assesses a candidate’s ability to effectively examine and describe in detail an engineering or applied science problem. Candidates will be able to select a topic that is related to their discipline of registration.
5. Have related work experience.
• Certified Technologists or Technicians must have a minimum of two full years of experience in their engineering/applied science technology discipline. One of those years must be in Canada to ensure that they are familiar with the workplace culture, Canadian codes, practices, and standards. OACETT will review candidates’ resumes, job descriptions, and references to ensure that they can apply the principles of engineering or applied science technology to tasks required on-the-job.
6. Be of good character, as verified by your professional references.

Certification Process

Before You Immigrate to Canada

In order to complete an Application for Certification, you will need supporting documents such as a detailed job description that must be signed by your supervisor, the names and complete addresses of persons who can act as professional references and attest to your work experience, a resume of all your past experience, and official school transcripts. If possible, prepare these documents before you leave your country of origin. See Step 1 for more details.

When You Arrive in Ontario

As soon as you have landed immigrant status, contact OACETT to request an Application for Certification, or print one from their Website, http://www.oacett.org or complete it online. OACETT’s contact information is listed in at the end of this career map.

The application package includes a set of guidelines to help you complete the Application for Certification. You should refer to these when completing your form.

How to Apply

Step 1 – OACETT Application for Certification

To begin the application process, send a completed OACETT Application for Certification and the following documents and fees to OACETT:

• a photocopy of your birth certificate, passport or Canadian landed immigrant certificate;
• If the name on your application is different from the name on your documents, include a copy of the change of name certificate, or certificate of marriage.
• official transcripts of your post-secondary education showing the subjects you studied and the marks you obtained;

Graduates from Canada and the U.S.: You must contact your educational institute(s) and arrange for an official transcript to be sent directly to OACETT. Make sure that they send a transcript that includes subjects and marks for all post-secondary education relating to your application.

Graduates from other countries: If you cannot arrange for your institute or college to provide an official transcript of subjects and marks, send a photocopy. Photocopies must be notarized as a true copy before a Commissioner for taking affidavits, or verified by a professional approved by OACETT.

If your academic documents are not in English or French, you must provide a notarized English translation prepared by a service that is certified by the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO).

• a detailed job description of your current position, stating your duties and responsibilities and the length of time you worked at the job–each page must be verified and signed by your supervisor;
• a résumé stating the dates of employment, names and addresses of employers, and a detailed description of your technical experience, responsibilities, and/or achievements;
• a non-refundable application fee of $145 plus GST.

In addition to your post-secondary training, you may submit copies of any industry-related courses or other courses related to engineering or applied science technology. Memberships in or courses taken through related associations should also be documented.

Equivalency Assessment Process

OACETT’s Admissions Committee evaluates applications and registers engineering/applied science technicians and technologists who meet recognized standards in education and experience.

Once you submit your application and the required documents, OACETT’s Admissions Committee will formally assess your qualifications and work experience to determine if your training and experience are equivalent to Ontario’s standards.

It takes approximately two to three months from the time OACETT receives your application and documents for you to be notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision, and of any additional requirements for certification. Once OACETT’s Institute of Engineering Technology of Ontario (IETO) Board has approved your registration, you will be notified by mail or e-mail.

Step 2 – Assessment of Academic Qualifications

The Admission Committee is a panel of expert members who will review and evaluate your official school transcripts. They will compare your academic achievements to the requirements for certification in Ontario.

If the Admissions Committee finds that you have the appropriate academic training, you will be registered as an Associate Member. The Committee will then determine if there are any additional requirements that you must complete before certification.

OACETT initially registers you as an Associate Member so that you will be able to access the benefits of membership as soon as you apply. You will be able to participate in CTEN, OACETT’s jobs database online, and benefit from other services offered by OACETT. Once you are registered as an Associate Member you are eligible to write the Professional Practice Exam. You will also be able to track your progress to certification on the OACETT website.

If your academic training does not meet the requirements for certification, you will be advised of what further training is needed. You may be asked to complete technical subjects relevant to your discipline of registration, or to write technical exams set by OACETT.

Step 3 – Assessment of Work Experience

To become a Certified Engineering/Applied Science Technician or Technologist, you must have two years of work experience in your chosen discipline. One of those years must be in Canada to ensure that you are familiar with local codes, practices and standards. Those who have taken a “code course” such as the Ontario Building Code or Ontario Electrical Code may have their experience requirement reduced.

When you apply for certification you must provide a resume, a detailed job description and three professional references. Your supervisor must sign each page of the job description. These documents will serve as proof of your work experience and will be used to assess if your work experience meets OACETT’s requirements.

Voluntary work may be recognized. Co-op experience may be credited at 50% of the time worked up to a maximum of six months. For example, if you have one year of acceptable co-op experience, it would count as six months toward the two-year requirement.

If you do not have Canadian experience, but meet the academic requirements, you will be registered as an Associate Member until you have attained the requisite work experience. As an Associate Member you can use CTEN, OACETT’s jobs database online (http://www.cten.ca), to help you find a job.

Formal Appeal

In case of a disagreement between the applicant and OACETT regarding an application, an appeal may be made to the Registrar. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the Registrar, and must detail the grounds for the appeal. The Registrar will forward the appeal to the Second Review Committee who will examine it and take the appropriate action. When this process is complete, the Registrar will advise the complainant in writing of the committee’s decision.

Professional Practice Examination

Once your Application for Certification has been reviewed you will be registered as an Associate Member and will be eligible to write the Professional Practice Exam. Successful completion of this exam is a mandatory requirement for certification.

The Professional Practice Exam is usually held four times each year, normally in February, June, September, and November. Exam centres are set up throughout Ontario. OACETT will notify you of the exam dates and locations, when you have applied.

You may write the Professional Practice Exam at any time after you have been registered as an Associate Member. You can apply to write the exam when you send in your Application for Certification, or apply to write it later. In either case, you should apply for the exam at least two months prior to the exam date to ensure that you have sufficient time to study.

Step 4 – Professional Practice Examination

The Professional Practice Examination is a 3½-hour exam consisting of both multiple-choice and case study questions. It is based on Canadian civil law, the OACETT Act, and the code of ethics. The exam contains questions about the legal responsibilities Certified Technicians and Technologists have to the public, to employers, and to themselves.

You can take advantage of two methods to prepare for the exam:

1. Study a comprehensive guide called The Study Manual for the Examination in Professional Practice. It is available from OACETT when you register for the exam.
2. Attend a two-day seminar offered at various locations across southern Ontario several times per year along with using the study manual.

Although the seminar is not mandatory, applicants will be notified of the next seminar dates and locations when they apply for the exam.

When you apply for the examination, OACETT will send you the necessary study materials, including a study outline and a study manual. The manual is included in the cost of the exam, The examination package (examination and study manual) costs $250 plus GST and shipping and handling. The fee is non-refundable. You can download the OACETT Act 1998 and Bylaw 18 from their site. The OACETT Act and By-Law 18 are permitted in the exam room.

For more information, call (416) 621-9621, or e-mail register@oacett.org

Step 5 – C.E.T. Technology Report

Applicants for certification as a C.E.T. with OACETT must submit a Technology Report (TR). The TR assesses your ability to effectively describe in detail, and examine an engineering problem. The TR should provide appropriate discussion and well-structured recommendations and conclusions.

The first step in completing the TR is to submit a proposal for the report. You may submit your proposal for the TR at any time after you have been registered as an Associate Member and have been notified by mail or e-mail of their specific certification requirements. When OACETT examiners approve the proposal, you must submit the report within one year and earn a grade of “satisfactory”.

The report must:

• relate directly to the discipline in which certification is sought;
• describe a comprehensive study of an engineering or applied science topic;
• reflect engineering technology fundamentals appropriate to the subject matter including the appropriate mathematics (if applicable); and
• deal with the identification of a problem, or the improvement or proposed improvement of existing processes, equipment, or procedures.

An optional, two-day Technology Report Writing Seminar is available to assist our members in writing and submitting a successful proposal and Technology Report to attain certification as a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.).

You may download the requirements and guidelines for preparing the technology report from the OACETT Website, http://www.oacett.org, or contact them by mail or telephone. Their contact information appears at the end of this career map.

Step 6 – Registration

Associate Members who have their training and experience approved and pass the required exams (and C.E.T. applicants who have successfully completed their Technology Report) will be certified and registered. Membership dues must be paid annually.

As a Certified Member, you have the full range of rights and privileges of OACETT membership, and are legally entitled to use the designation for which you have approval, either Certified Technician (C.Tech.), Applied Science Technologist (A.Sc.T.), or Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.).

Fees and Related Costs

The current fees for registration are listed below in Canadian dollars. All fees listed are non-refundable unless stated otherwise and do not include GST. These fees may change by the time you apply. Please contact OACETT before submitting your fees.

Application Fee	$145.00
Professional Practice Exam Application and Manual	$250.00
Professional Practice Exam Seminar (optional)	$290.00
Technical Exam Fee (if required)	$395.00
New Graduate Annual Dues (for full-time students)	$50.00
Annual Dues for Associate Members	$142.00
Annual Dues for Certified Members	$180.00
Appeal to Registrar (refunded if successful)	$100.00

Working in Ontario

English Language Proficiency

Engineering/applied science technicians or technologists are not required to pass an English language test when applying for certification with OACETT. However, the Professional Practice Exam requires knowledge and understanding of English terms for engineering and applied science technology and the ability to interpret written texts. Generally this would be equivalent to achieving a “7” on a standard English language assessment scale such as the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment.

The job of an engineering technician or technologist requires highly developed language skills that go beyond reading and interpreting technical literature and safety regulations and writing technical reports. Technicians and technologists usually work in engineering/applied science teams, so they must be able to communicate with others and work well in a team. In a recent survey, employees reported that their employers regard written and verbal communication skills to be as important as, or even more important than, technical skills.

English upgrading courses are available at community colleges and schools in Ontario. For more information on continuing education courses offered at community colleges, visit the Website for the college in your community or look for their course calendars at your local library. You can also get information about courses offered through local Boards of Education in course calendars available on their Websites or at public libraries. A Website for newcomers, http://www.settlement.org has information on English classes available in Ontario and a database to help you search for a school in your community.

Occupational Training and Upgrading

Engineering/applied science technology is a dynamic field. Technological innovation means that engineering technicians and technologists in all disciplines need knowledge of computer applications, both technical and non-technical. Most engineering technicians and technologists use computer-assisted design (CAD) on a regular basis. The use of non-technical software such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and project management is common.

Chances for promotion will increase with the amount of training and upgrading you do, either through work or on your own. Besides being certified with OACETT, additional certificates obtained in your discipline may also be helpful. OACETT’s journal The Ontario Technologist contains articles that will help you keep informed.

Labour Market Information

There are many opportunities for employment in engineering/applied science technology in Ontario. One of the reasons for this is that technicians and technologists now do the work that used to be done by engineers and tradespeople. Automation and robotics have decreased the need for some skilled trades, but increased the need for technicians who are able to set up, diagnose and repair these complex systems. The growing use of engineering software has made it possible for technologists to do many calculations, design and process control, and tasks that used to be done by engineers. This trend is seen in consulting, engineering, construction, mining, and oil and gas among others.

Engineering/applied science technicians and technologists work for small, medium and large firms, and in all levels of government. Some work as consultants in engineering consulting firms, or as independent consultants. Major employers are found in the manufacturing, construction and service industries.

Working conditions vary according to each discipline. Some technicians and technologists work outdoors as site supervisors or field service support; others work indoor in a design office, research laboratory, or manufacturing facility. Most technicians and technologists work full-time.

Most technicians and technologists work in non-unionized workplaces, although most of those employed by government are part of a public service union. Salary ranges depend on the discipline, company and industry that you work in.

A recent OACETT salary survey shows the income of OACETT members:

Annual Salary Range (in Canadian Dollars)
Graduate Technicians and Technologists	$43,500 – $47,975
Certified Technicians	$55,000 – $59,550
Certified Technologists	$59,000 – $63,000

For more information on labour market conditions see OACETT’s Website, http://www.oacett.org/career, and Ontario Job Futures on the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) Website, http://www.on.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca. In Ontario, this information is available at public libraries or HRDC Employment Centres in your community.

For More Information

For more information on certification requirements in Ontario, contact:

Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
10 Four Seasons Place, Suite 404
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9B 6H7
Telephone: (416) 621-9621
Fax: (416) 621-8694
E-mail: info@oacett.org
Website: http://www.oacett.org
Jobs Database: http://www.cten.ca

For information on the technology field in Canada, contact:

The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)
285 McLeod Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1A1
Telephone: (613) 238-8123
Fax: (613) 238-8822
E-mail: ccttadm@magma.ca
Website: http://www.cctt.ca

For information on English language training, contact:

Skills for Change
791 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
M6C 1B8
Telephone: (416) 658-3101
Fax: (416) 658-6292
Information Line: (416) 658-7090
Website: http://www.skillsforchange.org
Municipal Boards of Education:
Look in the telephone directory for your community under “schools“
Local Board of Education listed on the Internet, http://sbinfo.edu.gov.on.ca
Ontario Community Colleges Course calendars are available at local libraries or look in the telephone directory under “college“
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Website:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/list/college.html

For information on finding a certified translation service, contact:

Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO)
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 1202
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 7B7
Telephone: (613) 241-2846
Fax: (613) 241-4098
Toll-free: 1 (800) 234-5030
Email: atio@fox.nstn.ca
Website: http://www.atio.on.ca

For information on where and how to get help with settlement in Ontario, contact:

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
110 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
M4R 1A3
Telephone: (416) 322-4950
Fax: (416) 322-8084
E-mail: ocasi@web.net
Website: http://www.settlement.org

For a government contact about accessing professions and trades in Ontario, contact:

Government of Ontario
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Global Experience Ontario
285 Victoria St., 7th  Flr.
Toronto, ON   M7A 2H6
Telephone:  (416) 327-9694 or 1 (866) 670-4094
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf:
(416) 327-9710 or 1 (866) 388-2262
Fax: (416) 327-9711
Email: GEO@ontario.ca
Website:  http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/geo.asp

Certification for International Applicants

Copyright in this career map is held jointly by the Queen’s Printer for Ontario and Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, ©, 2007.