Technical Exams
The technical exams are assessed by the Board of Examiners (BOE) to cover deficiencies in your academic background after the review of your application. You have the option to write the technical exams or take the course equivalent from the university (subject for approval).
Do I Need to Write Technical Exams?
When the APEGA Board of Examiners (BOE) reviews your application, it may decide that you need to write technical exams or take equivalent university courses.
You also have the option to take equivalent university courses instead of writing the exams.
If the BOE decides you need to take an exam or course, APEGA will mail you an assessment letter.
The letter will state:
- if you must write exams and/or take courses
- which exams and/or courses you must take
- what you must do after passing the exams or completing the courses
After receiving the assessment letter, you have 3 options:
- write the exams and/or take the courses
- request a reconsideration or reassessment
- withdraw your application
Exam Types
Technical exams are grouped in the following categories:
- Preliminary and Basic Studies
- Complimentary Studies
- Discipline Specific (Group A & B)
The BOE letter will list which exams you must take.
For example:
- 04-BS-7, 10, 13
- 16-CHEM-A1, A3, B5
- 98-CS-2
This means that you must take 3 Basic Studies exams, 3 Chemical Engineering exams (2 from Group A and 1 from Group B from the Chemical Engineering syllabi and exam descriptions), as well as 1 Complimentary Studies.
Registering for Technical Exams
Technical exams are offered each Spring (May - July) and Fall (October - December). Approximately one month before the exam administration is scheduled to start we will email you notification that the schedule is available. You can write a maximum of five technical exams per exam session.
After APEGA has processed your application, we will email you your confirmation and receipt.
Log in to myAPEGA to register for an exam
Exam Fees
In 2021 the Technical Examinations program was transitioned from paper-based to computer-based remote proctored. With the Technical Examinations moving from paper-based to computer-based remote proctoring, prices for the Technical Examinations need to be increased to cover the additional costs associated with the migration to computer-based and remote proctoring.
Each technical exam you register for has a fee of $500 + GST.
You can also request a formal re-read of your exam for $330 (GST included).
Exam Dates
| Exam Dates | Registration Deadline |
|---|---|
| April - June 2025 | January 31, 2025 |
We also ask for your patience as we confirm a definite timeline as to when the exams will be administered for the Spring / Summer 2025 administration. As information becomes available, we will update our website.
Before registering for a technical exam(s) please check the list of exams being set for the Fall 2024 administration. If the exam(s) you are planning to write at the Fall 2024 sitting are not listed in the PDF below, send an email to [email protected] so we can ensure that the exam(s) will be made available for the next administration.
Spring / Summer 2025 Technical Exams Being Set
Rescheduling & Cancelling
To reschedule or cancel your exam, email [email protected] before the registration deadline. You will not receive a refund if you reschedule or cancel after the registration deadline.
Writing Technical Exams
In 2021 the Technical Examinations program was transitioned from paper-based to computer-based remote proctored, using virtual proctoring .. Exam offerings and schedules will be updated on this page frequently. We encourage you to check this page for status updates or changes.
Engineers and Geoscientists BC is partnering with APEGA and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) to deliver the Online Technical Exams. We have contracted AssessBank and eProctor Canada as the exam platform and virtual proctor providers for the technical examinations. Both AssessBank and eProctor Canada services and servers are hosted in Canada.
- Exam Schedule and Dates
- Exam Formats and List of Aids
If you are scheduled for an exam this session but your exam does not appear on this list, your respective regulatory body may be setting your exam topic separately. Regulatory staff will be in touch with you regarding the exam status and exam format directly. - Candidate Guide for Online Exams
Study Materials
For engineering exams, or geoscience exams that have an engineering equivalent, you can view Professional Engineers Ontario's list of suggested study material for each engineering exam.
For geoscience exams, for exams 98-CS-2 or 98-CS-3, and Prelim-1 to 4 an exam information document from the examiner will be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available. It outlines recommended textbooks, exam format, and permissible materials for your exams. After APEGA has received your application, allow 4-5 weeks for delivery.
Exam questions are based on the exam description in the APEGA syllabus and not the textbooks. Use the textbooks as general guides only and supplement them with additional textbooks of your choice.
APEGA does not provide samples of past technical exams. However, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia does list past exams (up to 2019) for engineering and some geoscience.
Special Accommodations
APEGA can accommodate special needs because of a medical condition, including:
- extended testing time
- extra breaks
- larger font
To submit a request, email [email protected] to obtain the special accommodation instructions and forms.
You must submit the special accommodation forms before the registration deadline or your request cannot be accommodated.
Exam Results
A score of 50% or greater is required to pass. Once exam results are processed, we will email you that you can view your results in myAPEGA. We will also mail you an official letter with the exam results. We will not release results by telephone or in person.
We do not return exams to the applicants, nor do we provide answers to exam questions. If you failed your exam, we automatically review it to confirm the score.
Failed Exams
There are no penalties for failing an exam, but you must pass the exams assessed to you by the Board of Examiners within the time-frame specified. You do not have to clear any failed exams to move on to another exam. You may write the exams in any order you wish.