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Service update

We are experiencing high call and email volumes at this time. Your request is important to us, and we appreciate your patience as we work through the queue.  

First Class

Power Engineer Certification

Overview 

The First Class Power Engineer certificate of qualification allows you to be:

  • Chief engineer of a plant of any class
  • Shift engineer of a plant of any class
  • A person-in-charge of any type or size of refrigeration plant

To obtain this certificate, you'll need to meet certain eligibility requirements. You will also need to pass an evaluation and eight certification exams.

To apply for your First Class Power Engineer certificate, you must have one of the following:

To apply for your evaluation, you must be employed while in possession of a Second Class Power Engineer certificate, or a corresponding Canadian credential, for one of the following:

  • 30 months as chief engineer of a second class plant
  • 30 months as an assistant chief engineer of a first class plant
  • 36 months as a safety officer for the purposes of this regulation
  • 30 months as shift engineer of a first class plant
  • 45 months as an assistant shift engineer of a first class plant

Qualifying time credits:

  • If you have successfully completed an approved first class power engineering course, then the required period of employment can be reduced by 12 months. Refer here for a list of approved courses and course providers.
  • If you hold a mechanical engineering degree (Canadian or equivalent), then the required period of employment can be reduced to 12 months.

To apply, log in to your Online Services account and follow the steps. Don't have an account? Sign up now.

If you wish to apply by mail, please fill out the Contact Us form to request a paper form.

To apply for your certification exams, you must meet the general eligibility requirements for this class.

Visit our exam page to find out how to apply for your exams.

You must pass the following eight exams. Each exam is 3.5 hours long, and you must achieve a minimum grade of 65% on each exam to pass. Exam details, including areas of study, can be viewed in the first class power engineer syllabus.

  • 1A1 - Applied Thermodynamics and Plant Cycles
  • 1A2 - Principles of Applied & Fluid Mechanics
  • 1A3 - Applied Engineering Technologies
  • 1A4 - Power Plant Operations
  • 1B1 - Legislation and Codes for Industrial Equipment
  • 1B2 - Safety, Loss, and Environmental Program Management
  • 1B3 - Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair Practices
  • 1B4 - Business & Workforce Management

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