National Professional Practice Examination

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Before being granted registration as a professional registrant, applicants must pass the National Professional Practice Examination (NPPE). This computer-based exam is 2.5 hours in length and consists of 110 multiple choice questions. The exam tests the applicant’s knowledge of Canadian professional practice, law, and ethics.

The NPPE can be attempted after the submission of an application for registration. Recommended study materials are available for purchase from external providers.

Do I Qualify to Write the Exam?

To qualify to write the examination, applicants must be registered as a trainee with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, or have submitted an application for professional engineer (P.Eng.), professional geoscientist (P.Geo.), professional engineering licensee (P.L.Eng.), or professional geoscience licensee (P.L.Geo.) status to the organization.

To apply for registration, please use the Online Application Tool.

You do not have to take the NPPE if:

• You are applying for registration under the Inter-Association Mobility Agreement and are a professional engineer, professional geoscientist, ingénieur(e) or géologue in good standing with another Canadian organization/ordre; or
• You have previously passed a professional practice examination for an Engineers Canada or Geoscientists Canada constituent organization/ordre; or
• You are a former registrant whose practice rights have lapsed for 3 years or less; or
• You are a non-practising registrant applying for reinstatement of practice rights that have lapsed for 3 years or less.

Register for the NPPE

Register and pay for an NPPE sitting using the Application for Professional Practice Exam (login required).

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If you have further questions related to the Professional Practice Exam, you may find the answer on our Frequently Asked Questions.

Booking and Confirmation

Closer to the exam session, candidates will be sent an email from Meazure Learning with instructions on how to book your date and time for the exam (based on availability). Candidates will be required to book their examination date and time during a booking window. Booking window dates can be found here.  

It is important to check your junk email folder to ensure that the email is not accidentally filed there. Should you not receive an email with this confirmation information at least 4 weeks prior to the examination date, you should contact Meazure Learning immediately and request that an exam granted email be resent to you: [email protected].

Upcoming Exam Dates

Please note that exam registration for each session closes at 5 PM Pacific time on the application deadline date.

How Do I Defer My Exam?

The application deadline is the last day that you can request to defer your scheduled examination to another future session. Exam candidates can defer their examination online at any time prior to the application deadline of each exam session. To defer your examination please follow these steps:

1. Access the Application for Professional Practice Exam (login required).
2. Select ‘Change Your Upcoming Exam Session’.
3. Select the exam you wish to defer by ticking the checkbox of the appropriate exam session.
4. Choose a future session to move the exam you selected.
5. Click ‘Continue’ to proceed with your change.

Examination deferrals are NOT possible after the application deadline. Late deferrals will be reviewed for medical emergencies only on the basis of a doctor’s note. To defer the examination after the registration deadline you must contact Engineers and Geoscientist BC at [email protected]. Only Engineers and Geoscientists BC can process or approve examination deferrals.  

Where Can I Take the Exam?

Exam sessions continue to be held in an online remote proctoring format. In-person testing may be available on a case-by-case basis for exam candidates with special accommodation requests or candidates with technical issues in previous sessions. For in-person testing, please contact [email protected] before the exam session deadline.

Refer to the NPPE Candidate Guide for detailed information on the requirements.

Read About Remote Proctoring

What Do I Need to Study?

The materials listed below are recommended for preparation for the examination. Candidates should reference the National Professional Practice Exam Blueprint. We recommend that you purchase textbooks from another provider and that you take their delivery times into consideration. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

• NPPExam.ca - Suggested Reading Materials
• Professional Governance Act, Bylaws and Code of Ethics

Online practice tests are also available for a fee on NPPExam.ca.

Please be aware that the Professional Engineering and Geoscience Practice in BC Online Seminar is not an alternative to studying the textbooks. The seminar is supplementary material only.

Special Accommodation Requests

Special testing accommodations are only considered for candidates with diagnosed medical conditions. Any applicant requiring accommodation must contact Engineers and Geoscientists BC ahead of the application deadline with their request. Engineers and Geoscientists BC cannot guarantee that accommodations will be provided if requests and supporting documents are sent after the application deadline.

Accommodation can include extended testing time, additional break time, and access to assistive equipment, assistive personnel, or personal items (e.g., certain types of medication, food).

Requests for exam accommodations can be made via email to [email protected]. Requests for exam accommodations should include a detailed letter or report on official letterhead from a treating medical professional who is qualified to evaluate your functional limitations and associated accommodation needs, that includes:

• A description of your functional limitations and associated accommodation needs as relating to the context of the exam(s);
• Specific recommendations for test accommodations, including the use of any assistive devices or equipment required; and
• If applicable, include copies of supporting documentation on official letterhead from your academic institutions (e.g., accessibility services office), other testing organizations, and/or your employer.

Please note that the supporting documentation should be current and issued within the last 3 years. If the documentation is dated more than three years ago, a letter from a treating medical professional is required, confirming that the limitations are still present and noting any changes to the associated accommodation needs as relating to the context of the exam.

Approved special accommodation requests may incur an additional charge separate from the exam application fee. This will be communicated to candidates after the exam application deadline.

Granted accommodations are valid for one exam session only. You must submit a new request for any future exam session.

How Many Times Can I Write This Exam?

Those who are unable to pass the NPPE in 3 consecutive sessions may be required to wait 12 months before attempting the exam for a fourth time. At this time, there is no limit to the amount of times you can attempt the exam. Each time you attempt the exam, you are required to pay the examination fee.

How Long Do I Need to Wait for Results?

The results of the examination are released through the Application Status portal (login required) approximately 3–4 weeks after the examination date. Engineers and Geoscientists BC will always release results prior to the next examination application deadline.

Check Your Application Status

Can I Claim the Exam Fees on My Income Taxes?

Examination fees paid to a professional body may be eligible for a tuition tax credit if the examination is required to obtain a professional status recognized by federal or provincial statute. For more information, please consult the tax guide on the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Experiencing Technical Issues? 

All technical issues during the exam must be reported the same day to [email protected]. Issues reported after the exam session has concluded or to other email addresses will not be considered.

To avoid potential issues, prior to your scheduled exam date, we strongly recommend to:

• Use the “Test It Out” Tool
  Before exam day, test your equipment using the Test It Out feature through Meazure Learning. You will gain access once Meazure Learning sends your login details. If your device fails the test (especially multiple times), switch to a different device to avoid technical issues and potential rescheduling fees.

• Check System Compatibility
  Review the Virtual Proctoring Technical and Examination Location Requirements before booking to ensure your operating system is compatible.

• Remove Remote Access Software
  Meazure Learning strictly prohibits remote access software/virtual machines. If this software is found on your computer during the proctoring session, your exam will be terminated. Rescheduling will result in an additional fee charge.

• Book Early in the Session
  Schedule your exam early in the session to allow time for rescheduling if technical problems arise.