Canadian · Professional Licensing
P.Eng vs EIT and stamps.
A P.Eng title, an EIT status and a stamp on a drawing do different jobs. Here is what the regulators themselves say, province by province, and what to check next.
Short answer: a title or stamp tells you what someone claims. The regulator’s register tells you their current status. Check the register, and read the status.
Titles and statuses, as the regulators word them
| Regulator | What its register says |
|---|---|
| APEGNB (NB) | EITs and GITs listed in the registry must work under professional supervision. Retired registrants are listed, not entitled to practise, and may keep using P.Eng. and P.Geo. |
| PEGNL (NL) | Designations include Professional Engineer, Limited Licensee (Engineer) and Engineer-in-Training. Statuses include Entitled to Practice, Practice with Supervision, Restricted Practice and Not Entitled to Practice. |
| Manitoba | Practitioner types include P.Eng., P.Geo., Engineering Intern (EIT), Geoscience Intern (GIT), Engineering Licensee (Eng.L.) and Geoscience Licensee (Geo.L.). |
| APEGA (AB) | People who can engage in independent practice are listed as “practicing”. |
| EGBC (BC) | Categories explained in its glossary include EIT, GIT, P.Geo. and P.L.Eng.; the directory shows status and practice restrictions. |
Stamps and seals: what is on record
- Nova Scotia: enter the number from the stamp into the directory’s Member Number field. If nothing returns, or the name differs from the stamp, Engineers Nova Scotia asks you to contact it immediately.
- Quebec: OIQ says a physical seal must include the engineer’s name, member number, title and the word “Québec”.
- Alberta: APEGA reports registrant impersonation scams and unauthorized use of stamp images.
How to read a stamp, a title and a register together
Provinces use different words (Engineer-in-Training in some, Engineering Intern in others) and different statuses, so this page quotes each regulator rather than inventing one national rule. The practical order is: find the person or firm in the right province’s register, match the name and member number to the document, then read the status, supervision condition or practice restriction. Details for each province are in the province finder; Ontario is covered in the PEO lookup guide.
Sources
- APEGNB Public Registry (https://myapegnb.apegnb.com/APEGNB/APEGNB-EN/Registry/Search.aspx), retrieved October 2026
- PEGNL Public Register (https://members.pegnl.ca/publicregister), retrieved October 2026
- Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba directory (https://www.enggeomb.ca/Directory.html), retrieved October 2026
- APEGA Member Directory (https://www.apega.ca/members/member-directory), retrieved October 2026
- EGBC Registrant Directory glossary (https://www.egbc.ca/registrant-directory/glossary-of-terms-for-registrant-directory-of-indi), retrieved October 2026
- Engineers Nova Scotia directory (https://portal.engineersnovascotia.ca/ENS/ENS/Public-Register/Member-and-Company-Directory.aspx), retrieved October 2026
- OIQ: Your seal and signature as an engineer (French) (https://www.oiq.qc.ca/membres/obligations-des-membres/votre-sceau-et-votre-signature-comme-ingenieur/), retrieved October 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a P.Eng and an EIT?
A P.Eng is a licensed Professional Engineer. An EIT (Engineer-in-Training or Engineering Intern, depending on the province) is a pre-licence status. APEGNB, for example, says EITs and GITs listed in its registry must work under professional supervision.
Does an engineer’s stamp prove they are licensed?
No. A stamp is an image or impression that can be copied. APEGA reports unauthorized use of stamp images. Check the person in the regulator’s register.
Can I check a stamp against a register?
In Nova Scotia the directory says to enter the number from the stamp into its Member Number field; if nothing returns or the name differs, contact Engineers Nova Scotia. In Quebec, OIQ says the seal shows name, member number, title and “Québec”.
Can a retired engineer still use P.Eng?
It depends on the regulator. APEGNB says retired registrants are not entitled to practise but may continue to use the titles P.Eng. and P.Geo.
Explainer only — not legal advice
This page summarises what regulators publish about titles and statuses. Rules differ by province and change. It does not check anyone’s licence, and nothing here replaces the regulator’s register or the regulator itself.