What changes are contemplated in the FEA Path Forward Report?
Have any of the FEA Path Forward Report Recommendations been approved?
What accreditation criteria have been changed based on the FEA Path Forward Report?
What is the scope of the Full Spectrum Competency Profile Pilot Study and who is involved?
How can I stay up-to-date as the Realizing Futures of Engineering Accreditation progresses?
These questions were collected during a Ask Me Anything session, where interest holders had the opportunity to ask about the Futures of Engineering Accreditation Project and Realizing Futures of Engineering Accreditation. These are the most common questions and the responses.
What changes are contemplated in the FEA Path Forward Report?
The proposed changes are laid out in the Futures of Engineering Accreditation Path Forward Report which includes 18 recommendations. At the highest level, these recommendations include:
- A revised purpose and scope of accreditation statements and accreditation system design parameters in support of these statements.
- A transition to an outcomes-focused accreditation model.
- The development of a Full Spectrum Competency Profile (FSCP) and National Academic Requirement for Licensure (NARL) applicable to all applicants for engineering licensure.
- Some governance and values recommendations to support implementation of recommendations and the establishment of new structures.
The full list of recommendations can be found on pages 8-10 of the Path Forward Report.
Does the FEA Path Forward Report recommend a national licensing exam for all applicants for engineering licensure?
No, the FEA Path Forward Report does not make recommendations related to a national licensing exam for all applicants for engineering licensure.
Have any of the FEA Path Forward Report Recommendations been approved?
The report was received by the Engineers Canada Board in December 2024. At that time, the Board took steps to consider two recommendations:
- The Governance Review Task Force study the separation of the CEAB’s policy-making functions from operational activities, as per recommendation 15. This work is underway with consultations taking place in the fall and winter of 2025. Final recommendations are expected in mid-2026.
- Initiate a Full Spectrum Competency Profile Pilot Study, as refined from recommendation 12. The pilot study is supported by the Pilot Advisory Committee and a program development consultant with expertise in the area. Results of the pilot are currently expected by the end of 2027.
Additional FEA Path Forward Report recommendations will be brought to the Engineers Canada Board for consideration on an ongoing basis, based on results of current work and continued engagement with interest holders.
What accreditation criteria have been changed based on the FEA Path Forward Report?
No changes to the accreditation system, including accreditation criteria, have been made as a result of the FEA Path Forward Report.
How might changes to the accreditation system and/or the development of the Full Spectrum Competency Profile impact Engineers Canada’s membership with the International Engineering Alliance?
Engineers Canada is a signatory to the Washington Accord and a member of the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Engineers Agreement (APEC-EA). As part of these agreements, signatories are obligated to demonstrate ongoing substantial equivalence with the requirements, including with the Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies Framework.
This means that any changes to the accreditation system — including the Graduate Attributes, and components of the Full Spectrum Competency Profile and National Academic Requirement for Licensure — must remain aligned with the framework. Provided these updates stay within the scope, Engineers Canada’s membership with The International Engineering Alliance will not be impacted.
The Accord and the Agreements recognize “substantial equivalence” of engineering academic programs, accreditation systems (Washington Accord), and professional competence in engineering (APEC and IPEA-EA).
What is the scope of the Full Spectrum Competency Profile Pilot Study and who is involved?
The first phase of the pilot study will develop and define a subset of the Full Spectrum Competency Profile (FSCP) competencies, indicators, and assessment processes and will test the assessment of those competencies.
By limiting the pilot to a subset of the competencies and observing the efforts required to develop them, the project team will be able to gather data and learnings to guide the development of the full FSCP and National Academic Requirement for Licensure (NARL) frameworks. We won’t know the full extent of the change needed until the full FSCP framework and its assessment processes have been validated.
The first phase of the pilot study will be a collaborative effort between a program development consultant, Engineers Canada staff, and an advisory group composed of interest holders across the ecosystem.
How can I stay up-to-date as the Realizing Futures of Engineering Accreditation progresses?
The best way to stay current with the project is to bookmark this webpage and subscribe to Accreditation Matters.