PEO Introduces Technical Exam Exemptions for Washington Accord and MRA-Recognized Engineering Degrees

Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) has introduced a new pathway for internationally educated engineering graduates to meet the academic requirements for professional licensure in Ontario. Effective November 1, 2026, eligible applicants holding engineering degrees accredited under the Washington Accord or recognized through a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) may be exempt from PEO's technical examination requirements.

The change recognizes the substantial equivalency of accredited engineering programs across participating jurisdictions and reduces the need for applicants to complete additional academic examinations where their education has already been assessed through recognized international accreditation frameworks.

What Are the Washington Accord and Mutual Recognition Agreements?

The Washington Accord is an international agreement among engineering accreditation bodies that recognizes the substantial equivalency of accredited professional engineering degree programs across participating countries and jurisdictions. Similarly, Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) establish recognition arrangements between professional engineering organizations. One example recognized by PEO is its agreement with France's Commission des titres d'ingénieur (CTI), which recognizes qualifying French engineering qualifications. Through these agreements, PEO can recognize the academic standards of specific engineering programs without requiring applicants to demonstrate the same academic equivalency again through its technical examination program.

It is important to note that recognition applies to specific accredited engineering programs, institutions and graduation years, rather than automatically extending to all engineering degrees from a participating country.

Who Is Eligible for the Technical Exam Exemption?

Applicants may qualify for an exemption if they meet the following criteria:

• Recognized engineering program: The specific engineering program at the institution and campus attended must be accredited under the Washington Accord or recognized through an applicable MRA.

• Degree requirements: Applicants must generally hold a four-year bachelor's degree in engineering.

• Graduation year: The degree must have been awarded in the year the relevant jurisdiction became a Washington Accord signatory or in a subsequent year.

There are some exceptions to the general four-year bachelor's degree requirement. For example, qualifying engineering degrees in the United Kingdom are commonly three years in duration, while France's recognized Ingénieur diplôme qualification is awarded at the master's level under its MRA. PEO will assess these qualifications individually during its review.

Meeting these criteria does not automatically guarantee an exemption. PEO will verify the specific engineering program, institution and graduation year against the applicable accreditation records before making a decision. Applicants can consult PEO's Washington Accord and MRA Recognized Programs List to check whether their engineering program is recognized and whether their graduation year meets the applicable requirements.

What If Your Engineering Degree Does Not Qualify?

Applicants whose degrees are not covered by the Washington Accord or an applicable MRA may still be eligible for reduced technical examination requirements under PEO's Good Performance Policy.

Under this policy, first-time technical exam applicants can register for two technical examinations in their initial sitting instead of the usual four. The examinations must meet one of the following combinations:

• Two Group A examinations; or

• One Group A and one Group B examination.

Both examinations must be from the same engineering discipline, such as mechanical (MEC), civil (CIV) or electrical (ELEC).

Applicants who achieve a minimum grade of 65 per cent in both examinations will have their remaining two technical examinations waived.

The policy is available only to applicants registering for two examinations in their first sitting. Applicants who have previously written PEO technical examinations are not eligible.

What This Means for Internationally Educated Engineers

This is a positive development for internationally educated engineering graduates pursuing professional licensure in Ontario. Many applicants have completed engineering programs that are already accredited through internationally recognized frameworks but have historically been required to undergo additional academic assessments through PEO's technical examination process.

By recognizing these existing accreditation arrangements, PEO is reducing duplication in the assessment of engineering education and providing a more direct pathway for eligible applicants.

However, an exemption from technical examinations should not be confused with an exemption from the overall P.Eng. licensing requirements. Applicants must still satisfy the other applicable registration requirements, including demonstrating the required engineering experience and competencies, completing the National Professional Practice Examination (NPPE), and meeting PEO's other licensing requirements.

For applicants who are not eligible under the Washington Accord or an MRA, the Good Performance Policy provides another opportunity to reduce their academic examination requirements. Internationally educated engineers should therefore review their specific engineering program, institution and graduation year before deciding which academic assessment pathway applies to them.

For further details, refer to PEO's official announcement on Washington Accord and MRA Technical Exam Exemptions.

If you are pursuing your P.Eng. licence in Ontario and need guidance on your academic requirements, technical examination exemptions or competency-based assessment, Inn Tec can help you understand the applicable requirements and navigate your licensing process.