The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) is soliciting feedback on changes to Appendix 1 of the CEAB Accreditation Criteria and Procedures – “Regulations for granting transfer credits” related to the transfer of complementary studies credits from 3-year technical CÉGEP programs to accredited engineering programs.
Background
Appendix 1 of the CEAB Accreditation Criteria and Procedures – “Regulations for granting transfer credits” outlines, among others, the provisions for granting transfer credits from CÉGEP studies to accredited engineering programs. Clause 2.1 provides guidance for case-by-case transfer credits for students who have either i) transferred from another Higher Education Institution (HEI) or from non-engineering studies within the home institution, or ii) completed an undergraduate, graduate, or technology program at the home institution or at another HEI.
Clauses 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 include specific provisions for the systematic granting of transfer credits from CÉGEP programs:
- Clause 2.3.1 provides allowances for engineering programs designed to admit students from two-year pre-university programs given in CÉGEPs where a validation procedure is in place (as specified in clause 2.3). This clause specifies the maximum transfer credits for Engineering Science and Design (0 AU), Mathematics (≤180 AU), Natural Sciences (≤ 180 AU), and Complementary Studies (≤ 120 AU).
- Clause 2.3.2 provides allowances for engineering programs designed to admit students from two-year pre-university programs given in CÉGEPs where a validation procedure is NOT in place. This clause specifies the maximum transfer credits for Engineering Science and Design (0 AU), Mathematics (≤112 AU), Natural Sciences (≤ 112 AU), and Complementary Studies (≤ 112 AU). The total transfer credits that can be granted are 225 AU.
The systematic granting of transfer credits from CÉGEP programs without a validation procedure specified in clause 2.3.2 only applies to 2-year pre-university CÉGEP programs, not 3-year technical CÉGEP programs. For institutions admitting students from 3-year technical CÉGEP programs who wish to grant transfer credits, clauses 2.1 ii) or 2.3 (with a validation procedure) apply.
As per clauses 6, 7 and 8 of the Québec College Education Regulations, all CÉGEP programs (both pre-university and technical) must incorporate courses in Language of Instruction and Literature, Second Language, Philosophy or Humanities. These courses align with the definition of “Complementary studies” outlined on page 14 of the CEAB Accreditation Criteria and Procedures: “Complementary studies include humanities, social sciences, arts, languages, management, engineering economics and communications”. Not having a clause similar to 2.3.2 for 3-year technical CÉGEP programs represents an inequity regarding the complementary studies Accreditation Units or AUs (up to 112 AU) that can be claimed without a validation procedure.
Proposal
It is proposed that a new clause (2.3.3) be added to Appendix 1 - Regulations for granting transfer credits, stipulating that for students admitted to accredited undergraduate engineering programs from 3-year technical CÉGEP programs, up to 112 complementary studies accreditation units (AUs) can be transferred without a validation procedure.
Engagement to-date
The proposed revisions were informed by discussions with members from key interest holder groups, including Engineering Deans Canada (EDC), the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), and the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur du Québec.
Consultation period
The consultation period will take place from October 15, 2025 to November 26, 2025.
Documents for consultation
To review the proposed revisions to Appendix 1 – “Regulations for granting transfer credits”, please click here.
Consultation questions
- What are the implications of this proposal in terms of clarity, relevance, and overall impact?
- What aspects of the proposal may be missing or require further clarification?
- What challenges or opportunities might arise from applying this proposal in practice? What risks will be incurred by this implementation? How can these risks be mitigated?
Interest holders being consulted
- CEAB members
- Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES)
- Engineering Deans Canada (EDC)
- Engineering regulators
- Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- National Admissions Officials Group (NAOG)
How to participate
- Introduction to the consultation process – webinar
- Webinar meeting with organization officials
Should you or your colleagues wish to organize a web meeting to discuss the proposal, please email accreditation@engineerscanada.ca to schedule the meeting.
- Submit written feedback
You are invited to participate in the consultation through any of the means listed above. Additionally, you are invited to submit a formal written response. Written responses should be directed to accreditation@engineerscanada.ca or by mail to:
Engineers Canada
c/o Roselyne Lampron
Engineers Canada
300-55 Metcalfe St.
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5
Written responses must be received by November 26, 2025.
How your feedback will be used
All feedback from all interest holders will be collected and presented to the CEAB’s Policies and Procedures (P&P) Committee, the CEAB, and Engineers Canada Board. A summary of all feedback received will be circulated to interest holders and posted on the Engineers Canada website.