EIT First Time Applying in Canada
This category is for recent graduates from university level engineering programs (or the equivalent) who have met the academic requirements for registration in their intended discipline of practice.
An engineer-in-training (EIT) is a registrant of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia who has demonstrated academic qualification, but is required to complete 4 years of engineering experience for professional registration.
Becoming an EIT allows you to:
To apply for engineer-in-training status with Engineers and Geoscientists BC you must meet the minimum academic requirements. As you continue to gain experience, you are expected to also adhere to the organization's good character requirements.
To apply for registration as an EIT, you are required to have the equivalent of graduation from a 4-year, full-time bachelor's degree program in applied science, engineering, geoscience, science or technology. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in engineering from an accredited university program, you may be assigned academic examinations and/or an interview.
Experience completed prior to completing the assigned exams may not be credited towards the required 4 years of satisfactory experience until all assessed deficiencies have been cleared either by successfully completing the examinations, or by passing approved equivalent courses. Credit is typically given for up to 1 year of experience gained prior to completion of academic requirements if the experience meets the Competency Framework or Satisfactory Experience Guidelines and is supervised by an appropriate professional. This is examined on a case-by-case basis.
To obtain your EIT status you must demonstrate that you have met the minimum academic requirements. You are required to have the equivalent of graduation from a 4-year, full-time bachelor's program in applied science, engineering, geoscience, science or technology.
This normally means that you have a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited university program.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree in engineering from an accredited university program, your academic background will be assessed and you may be assigned academic examinations.
You may be granted exemption from examinations if:
- You have an undergraduate engineering degree recognized by an engineering accreditation body that has a Mutual Recognition Agreement with Engineers and Geoscientists BC:
- You have an undergraduate engineering degree and an approved postgraduate engineering degree in the same discipline as that of your undergraduate engineering degree.
- You have an undergraduate engineering degree and at least 5 years of engineering experience under the direct supervision of a professional registrant (or equivalent). The decision to grant a reduction or an exemption is based on the results of an interview.
- You have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in applied science, engineering, geoscience, science or technology; and have written and passed the US Fundamentals of Engineering and the Principles and Practice of Engineering exams in the discipline of registration for which you are applying.
In order to become a registrant of Engineers and Geoscientists BC you must be of good character and repute. Good character connotes moral and ethical strength and includes integrity, candor, honesty and trustworthiness. All of our registrants are held accountable to a Code of Ethics that governs the way an individual practices his or her profession. We will review the information provided in your application to ensure that you meet these standards.
Applications are made through the Online Application tool.
- A completed online application.
- Certified* copies of 2 pieces of government-issued identification (ID) for registration. Both pieces of ID must contain the applicant’s full legal name, must be valid (i.e., not expired) at the time of registration, and at least 1 piece of ID must contain your photo. For more guidance on acceptable forms of IDs, please review the Guideline on Certified Identification Documents. Applicants are required to upload as 1 document through their application dashboard.
- Official transcripts sent directly to our office from your educational institutions. If required, a transcript request letter is available to send to your academic institution(s).
- Completed Self-Evaluation Checklist for discipline of application (for non-accredited degrees).
- Course descriptions for degrees achieved outside of British Columbia (for non-accredited degrees).
- Thesis abstracts for masters or PhD if applicable.
- Confirmation of registration from other professional engineering regulatory and certification organizations outside of Canada if applicable
*To have your document certified, the copies of both your original IDs must be signed, dated and stamped by an acceptable certifying official. Please refer to the
Guideline on Certified Identification Documents for a list of acceptable certifying officials and the steps for ID certification.
Find more information about application and registration fees on the Fee Schedule.
Throughout your application process, you can expect fees for:
- An application for registration (first-time applicant applying more than 12 months after graduation).
The application fee is waived if applying:
- Within 12 months of graduation from an engineering or geoscience post-secondary program, or
- As an academic qualified EIT, GIT, MIT, ing jr, géo jr or stagiare in other province or territory.
After registration is granted, all registrants are subject to annual fees (prorated in the first year of registration).
If you have further questions, you may find the answer on our Frequently Asked Questions.
It takes approximately 1 week to 4 months to review your application once all required documents have been received. For information about checking the status of your application please see Application Status.
An academic review will be conducted to determine if you meet the minimum academic requirements for EIT status. Following this review, academic examinations may be assigned. Please note that you will not be registered as an EIT unless you are deemed academically qualified or have successfully completed the academic exams assigned.
Once registered, you will be sent a notification email and a certificate.
EITs applying for P.Eng. are expected to report engineering work experience using the Competency Assessment System. For more information on the experience requirements for P.Eng. registration, please visit the Experience Qualifications section of Engineer First Time Applying in Canada.
If you gain experience in a different discipline from your academic qualifications, you will need to undergo an academic review and may be assigned an interview and/or examinations.