Before you write your CBA, check the 12 issues that weaken most competency examples.
Based on patterns CertNova has seen over 2+ years guiding engineering applicants through successful P.Eng. application journeys, this free checklist helps you spot weak, generic, or incomplete CBA responses before you get too far into writing.
For applicants preparing a competency-based assessment through Canadian engineering licensing associations, including PEO, APEGA, APEGS, EGBC, EGM, and others.
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Why this checklist exists
We kept seeing the same CBA mistakes appear again and again.
Most applicants do not struggle because they lack experience. They struggle because they do not know how their experience needs to be shown inside a competency-based assessment.
The same issues come up repeatedly:
- The example sounds like a team effort instead of your personal contribution.
- The Situation is too long, but the Action is too thin.
- The outcome is described, but not supported with measurable evidence.
- The example does not clearly match the competency being claimed.
- Canadian context, standards, validators, or engineering judgment are assumed instead of demonstrated.
The checklist helps you catch these issues before they become expensive rewrites, delayed submissions, or confusing association comments.
What you get inside the checklist
A practical 12-point self-review before you write or submit.
The Free CBA Checklist helps you review whether your competency example is clear, specific, and aligned with what assessors usually need to see. Inside, you'll check whether your example:
See all 12 checks inside the free checklist.
Send me the free checklistThis is not a writing template that fills the CBA for you. It is a self-review tool to help you avoid starting in the wrong direction.
Who this is for
This checklist is for you if:
- You are preparing your CBA for a P.Eng. application in Canada.
- You are not sure whether your examples are strong enough.
- You are an internationally trained engineer trying to understand how to show Canadian context.
- You have engineering, project management, construction, operations, consulting, research, or technical experience and need to decide which examples to use.
- You want to write your CBA yourself, but you do not want to rely only on guessing, Reddit, or generic advice.
- You already have a draft and want to catch obvious weaknesses before paying for a review.
Why trust CertNova?
We built this from real CBA patterns, not theory.
2+ years
guiding P.Eng. applicants
150+
applicant journeys
12-point
self-review lens
CertNova has spent over 2 years working with engineering applicants preparing competency-based assessment submissions for P.Eng. licensure in Canada.
Across 150+ applicant journeys, we have seen the same issues appear again and again: vague examples, weak personal ownership, unclear engineering judgment, validator confusion, missing Canadian context, and outcomes that are not specific enough.
The Free CBA Checklist is our way of giving you the high-level self-review lens before you spend weeks writing.
CertNova does not replace your licensing association's official guidelines. Your association's requirements are always the source of truth. This checklist helps you apply those expectations more clearly to your own experience.
Start free. Then decide what kind of support you need.
Download the checklist first. Use it to review one competency example.
After that, you can take the 2-minute CBA Readiness Check to understand whether you are better suited for a self-guided path through CBA Pro or a guided review/consultation with CertNova.
No pressure. The goal is to help you avoid writing blindly.
Free CBA Checklist FAQ
No. The checklist is written for engineering applicants preparing competency-based assessment examples for Canadian licensing associations. It can be useful for applicants working through PEO, APEGA, APEGS, EGBC, EGM, and other associations that use competency-style experience reporting. You should still follow your own association's official instructions and requirements.
No. The checklist does not write your competency examples. It helps you review whether your example has the right structure, evidence, personal contribution, engineering judgment, outcome, and red-flag checks before you write or submit.
Yes. This is best used before you start writing. It helps you understand what to look for before choosing examples, writing your Situation, Action, Outcome, or deciding whether you need software or consulting support.
Yes. You can use it as a quick self-review before getting a professional review or before submitting to your association.
You will receive the checklist by email. You may also be invited to take CertNova's 2-minute CBA Readiness Check, review a free CBA example, explore CBA Pro, or book a consult if you want guided support.
No. CertNova does not control the final decision of any engineering licensing association and does not guarantee approval. The goal is to help you prepare clearer, more complete, and better-supported CBA examples based on common patterns we have seen in applicant journeys.