Candidates are required to pass a professional practice exam to confirm their knowledge of professionalism, law, and ethics. APEGS uses the National Professional Practice Examination (NPPE) for this purpose.
The NPPE is a remote proctoring, closed-book exam of 2.5 hours in length and consists of 110 multiple choice questions, 10 of which are experimental questions that are not scored.
The NPPE is offered in English and French and candidates are expected to function at a readability level of approximately grade 10-11. Special accommodations will not be considered for lack of proficiency.
Before you Apply
- You must be licensed as one of the following:
- Engineer-in-Training or Geoscientist-in-Training
- Engineering/Geoscience Licensee applicant
- Temporary Licensee transitioning to a professional member
- Review the APEGS NPPE Application Guide and all information on the NPPE website.
- Be aware that the NPPE Application Form can only be found on the APEGS website.
- All Engineering/Geoscience Licensee applicants must have received confirmation that their academics are acceptable before they may register for the NPPE.
- All members must be compliant with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) reporting for the previous year.
- APEGS will no longer defer exam sessions. Refunds will only be provided if cancellation is received prior to the Meazure Learning booking deadline for that exam session. Administrative fees and taxes will not be refunded. Please consider this if booking far in advance.
- Examination fees will be forfeited after the deadline has passed. Candidates must re-apply for subsequent sessions and pay all associated fees.
- Extenuating circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Such requests must be email to professional-practice-exam@apegs.ca.
- The cost to take the NPPE has been adjusted, please see our Fees and Timelines webpage for the updated fees.
How to Register
| Exam Dates | APEGS Application Deadline* | Meazure Booking Window |
| January 19-21, 2026 | December 1, 2025 | December 19, 2025 – January 4, 2026 |
| March 30-April 1, 2026 | February 9, 2026 | March 7-23, 2026 |
| June 8-10, 2026 | April 20, 2026 | May 8-24, 2026 |
| August 17-19, 2026 | June 29, 2026 | July 17 – August 2, 2026 |
| November 2-4, 2026 | September 14, 2026 | October 2-18, 2026 |
*Application deadlines stated above differ from those stated on the NPPE website, APEGS candidates must adhere to the APEGS deadlines.
- Complete the NPPE Application Form to register for the exam.
- Read and sign the NPPE Candidate Agreement and submit along with your application.
To request special accommodations to write the exam, complete the Application for Special Accommodations – NPPE and submit it with your application.
Applications must be received no later than 4:30 CST on any applicable deadline. Candidates can apply for any exam sitting within the current calendar year. Unpaid applications will not be submitted for exam registration.
Attempts
Candidates are allowed a maximum of four (4) attempts to pass the NPPE. If unsuccessful after the fourth attempt, a one-year waiting period is required before the fifth attempt. Failure upon the fifth attempt will result in file closure and a requirement to re-apply.
Additional Professional Development
As the exam is only one step to becoming a professional, members-in-training and licensee applicants are strongly encouraged to view the following three online professional development modules by the time they are registered as professionals / licensees:
- Ethics Module 1 – Professionalism and Ethics
- Ethics Module 3 – Investigation and Discipline
- The Law and Professional Practice in Engineering and Geoscience
The modules do NOT prepare you to take the National Professional Practice Exam, they provide you with valuable knowledge to prepare you for professional practice.
The ethics modules can be accessed here and the law module here.