Engineering Services Licensing in Quebec

Engineering is a regulated profession in Quebec under the Engineers Act and the Professional Code. Only members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) may practise professional engineering or use the title 'ingénieur' (ing.). New members enter the Professional Admission Program as a Candidate to the Engineering Profession (CEP). The program has three components: a theoretical component (25-30 hours of training plus the professional exam), a practical component (at least 24 months of supervised engineering experience), and a linguistic component validating sufficient knowledge of spoken and written French. Members must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Engineering firms must hold a permit from the OIQ.

Verify the engineer holds a valid OIQ permit through their online directory at oiq.qc.ca. Ask for their OIQ membership number.

(1) Not licensed with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) - verify the P.Eng. designation on PEO's public register (2) Engineering firm does not hold a Certificate of Authorization (C of A) from PEO (3) Provides recommendations or opinions without a formal site inspection (4) Unwilling to provide stamped drawings when required for permit applications (5) No professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance

(1) Are you a licensed P.Eng. with Professional Engineers Ontario, and does your firm hold a C of A? (2) Do you carry professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance? (3) Will you provide stamped drawings suitable for building permit submission? (4) What is included in your assessment and how long until I receive the report? (5) Do you offer construction review to verify the work matches your engineering design?

Yes, engineering services in Quebec are expected to carry liability insurance.

In Quebec, most contractors performing construction work must hold an RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) licence. You can verify any contractor's licence on the RBQ's online Licence Holders' Registry at rbq.gouv.qc.ca. Always ask for the licence number and verify it before hiring.

Typical rates for engineering services in Quebec range from $150-$250/hour. Type of engineering service required (structural, geotechnical, civil), complexity of the assessment or design, site accessibility, number of site visits required, whether soil testing or laboratory analysis is needed, report complexity, and whether the engineer must provide stamped drawings for permit applications. Toronto and GTA rates are typically $150-$250/hour while smaller Ontario communities are at the lower end. Emergency or rush assessments command premium rates.