Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is crucial for engineers to maintain their professional competence, enhance their skills, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in the ever-evolving field of engineering. In Canada, licensing and regulation of engineering is a provincial/territorial responsibility. This means each province/territory has its own engineering regulator with specific CPD requirements. This blog post focuses on the CPD requirements for engineers in Ontario, providing a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process.

Why is CPD Important for Engineers?

CPD is essential for engineers for several reasons:

• Public Safety: Engineering work directly impacts public safety, and CPD ensures engineers possess the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties competently and ethically.
• Technological Advancements: The field of engineering is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methodologies emerging regularly. CPD helps engineers stay current with these advancements and maintain their competitive edge.
• Professional Growth: CPD fosters continuous learning and professional development, enabling engineers to expand their knowledge base, acquire new skills, and advance their careers.
• Maintaining Licensure: In many provinces, including Ontario, CPD is a mandatory requirement for maintaining a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license.

CPD Requirements in Ontario

In Ontario, the regulatory body for professional engineers is Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). PEO launched a mandatory continuing professional development program based on its formerly optional Practice Evaluation and Knowledge (PEAK) program. All PEO license holders (both practicing and non-practicing) are required to comply with this program.

The PEAK Program

The PEAK program consists of three elements for those "eligible to practice":

• Practice Evaluation: Due January 31st, this involves a self-assessment of your engineering practice to determine your personalized CPD target for the year.
• Professional Practice Module: Also due January 31st, this module focuses on refreshing your knowledge of professional practices and regulatory processes.
• Continuing Professional Development Report: Due December 31st, this report requires you to declare the CPD activities you have completed during the year.

Those with the status of "not currently eligible to practice" generally must complete the Practice Evaluation and Professional Practice Module each year.

CPD Hours and Activity Types

PEO mandates a minimum of 30 CPD hours per licensing year, with at least 15 hours dedicated to formal and structured learning activities. Formal activities include courses, workshops, seminars, and webinars, while structured learning encompasses self-directed study, mentoring, and project work.

Admissible Activities

A CPD activity is acceptable if it addresses the following:

• Knowledge of the responsibilities of professional engineers
• Understanding of pertinent codes and standards
• Knowledge of best practices in acts of professional engineering

All activities must be relevant to your practice areas. When reporting CPD hours, it's essential to distinguish between Priority CPD and Supplementary CPD . Priority CPD focuses on core engineering learning directly related to your area of practice, while Supplementary CPD includes activities like project management, communication, and leadership that support your engineering practice. While both types are valuable, at least 80% of your declared CPD hours must come from Priority CPD activities.

Compliance

Compliance with CPD requirements is determined as follows:  

• Your declared CPD for the year must equal or go above your CPD target.
• At least 80% of your CPD target must come from priority CPD. In other words, up to 20% of your CPD target could come from supplementary CPD.

For example, if your CPD target is 10 hours, you can demonstrate compliance by completing 10 hours of priority CPD or 8 hours of priority CPD and 2 hours of supplementary CPD. You would not be in compliance if you completed 7 hours of priority CPD and 3 hours of supplementary CPD.

Deadlines

The deadlines for completing the PEAK program requirements are as follows:

Required Documentation

Maintaining proper documentation is essential for demonstrating compliance with CPD requirements. You are required to retain proof of your completed CPD activities for three years in case of an audit. When requested, these proofs must be submitted electronically using Word, PDF, or JPEG formats.

Keep detailed records of all your CPD activities, including:

• Registration records (e.g., enrollment confirmation, conference registration)
• Content records (e.g., dated notes, course transcripts, presentation slides)
• Attendance records (e.g., letter of attendance, certificate of completion)

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Insufficient CPD Hours: Failing to accumulate the minimum required CPD hours can lead to non-compliance. Plan and engage in sufficient learning activities throughout the year to meet the requirements.
• Inadmissible Activities: Not all activities qualify for CPD credit. Always verify the admissibility of an activity with PEO to ensure it aligns with their requirements.
• Missing Deadlines: Failing to meet the deadlines for the PEAK program elements can lead to complications with your license. Mark the deadlines in your calendar and prioritize completing the requirements on time.
• Relying on Outdated Advice: CPD requirements can change over time. Refer to the PEO website and official publications for the most current information and guidance.
• Overlooking Ethics Requirements: Maintaining high ethical standards is fundamental to professional engineering practice. Ensure you fulfill any specific ethics-related CPD requirements.

Tips for Meeting CPD Requirements

• Plan Ahead: Develop a CPD plan at the beginning of each year, outlining your goals and identifying suitable activities.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check the PEO website for updates to the PEAK program and CPD requirements.
• Diversify Your Learning: Explore various learning formats, such as online courses, in-person workshops, and conferences.
• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize activities that align with your practice areas and contribute to your professional development goals.
• Maintain Records: Keep thorough and organized records of all your CPD activities.
• Seek Clarification: If you have any questions or uncertainties, contact PEO directly for clarification.

LearnFormula: Your Partner in CPD

LearnFormula offers a wide range of online CPD courses specifically designed for engineers in Ontario. Our courses are developed by industry experts and cover various engineering disciplines and topics, ensuring you can find relevant and high-quality learning materials to meet your CPD requirements.

Here are some recommended courses and packages from LearnFormula:

• Civil Engineering for Canadian Professional Engineers

This 20-hour course for Canadian Professional Engineers covers civil engineering essentials, from foundational practices to cutting-edge innovations. The course also addresses ethics and real-world applications.

• Sustainable Engineering

This 20-hour course teaches engineers how to implement sustainable practices in modern engineering projects. It covers topics such as carbon neutrality, advanced materials, and resilient infrastructure. Engineers will learn about sustainable construction methods and materials that minimize environmental impact while enhancing performance, safety, and longevity.

• Renewable Energy Technologies

This 30-hour Renewable Energy Technologies package helps Canadian Professional Engineers fulfill 30 PDH/CPD/CE hours while learning about renewable energy technologies. It covers solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, and biofuels, enabling engineers to design and implement renewable energy systems.

By choosing LearnFormula, you can conveniently access high-quality CPD courses online, track your progress, and receive certificates of completion to demonstrate your compliance with PEO requirements.

Conclusion

Meeting your CPD requirements as an engineer in Canada is essential for your professional development, maintaining your license, and ensuring public safety. By understanding the specific requirements in your province/territory, planning your CPD activities, and utilizing resources like LearnFormula, you can successfully fulfill your obligations and advance your engineering career.