CBA
Mastering the Communication Competencies for PEng Competency Based Assessment
Published November 26, 2024 · Updated September 27, 2026
Communication competencies are the second category within the Competency Based Assessment (CBA). Effective communication is one of the most critical skills an engineer can possess. Whether you’re explaining a complex technical concept to a client, crafting a detailed project report, or reviewing critical design documents, the ability to convey and interpret information effectively can make or break a project’s success. Communication ensures clarity, fosters collaboration, and builds trust among team members, clients, and stakeholders.
In the context of the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), the Communication category evaluates your proficiency in verbal (2.1 Oral), written (2.2 Writing) and document review (2.3 Reading and Comprehension) skills in English or French. The category must average at least 3. At EGBC, APEGS, EGM, APEGA and the four Atlantic regulators, all three are Canadian-environment competencies, so each must also be rated at least 3; at PEO, 2.3 is a professional standards competency with a minimum of 3. These competencies go beyond technical expertise, emphasizing your ability to connect with diverse audiences and contribute to projects in a meaningful way. Demonstrating these skills is not just a licensing requirement—it’s a vital aspect of your professional growth.
These examples also serve as your language assessment: regulators such as APEGA and EGBC judge your English from your communication examples and your validators’ comments, and ask for a language test only if needed. Assign each communication competency to a validator who has communicated with you in English (or French, where accepted).
This blog unpacks the Communication category, offering practical insights into each competency. With real-world examples and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to effectively showcase your communication abilities and set yourself apart as a well-rounded engineer ready for licensure. This is a follow-up to the Competency Based Assessment blog series. In the past blogs we have discussed the Technical competencies in details.
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The Importance of Communication Competencies in Engineering
Communication competencies are the foundation of successful engineering practice. They enable engineers to bridge the gap between technical expertise and practical application, ensuring that projects are executed effectively and stakeholders remain aligned. In an industry where collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and the public is common, strong communication skills are not just desirable—they are essential.
Consider the case of a highway expansion project where local residents express concerns about the safety and accessibility of their neighborhood. An engineer with strong communication competencies can articulate the technical aspects of a revised traffic management plan in a way that is clear and reassuring. By using visual aids like simplified diagrams and addressing questions in a thoughtful, non-technical manner, the engineer builds trust and helps the community feel confident in the project’s approach.
Written communication competencies are equally vital. Engineers often need to convey complex ideas through reports, memos, or presentations. For example, during an environmental assessment for a new manufacturing facility, a well-written report with concise summaries, technical details, and annotated diagrams ensures that both regulatory authorities and non-technical stakeholders understand the key findings. This level of clarity not only facilitates decision-making but also minimizes delays and prevents miscommunication.
The ability to review and interpret documents is another critical communication competency. On a municipal bridge project, an engineer may need to identify inconsistencies in contractor design documents and propose actionable corrections. By communicating these findings effectively to the project team, the engineer helps prevent potential structural issues and ensures the project’s integrity.
In all these scenarios, communication competencies enable engineers to translate technical knowledge into actionable insights, fostering collaboration and maintaining project momentum. For those pursuing PEO licensure, demonstrating these competencies is crucial to proving their readiness for professional engineering practice. Whether through verbal presentations, written reports, or document reviews, communication competencies are the key to thriving in the engineering profession.
Pass levels and the English assessment
The communication category must reach an average assessor rating of at least 3 on the 0–5 scale at every regulator that uses the CBA. What differs is the minimum for each competency on its own (as of September 2026):
| Regulator | 2.1 Oral | 2.2 Writing | 2.3 Reading and Comprehension | Category average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGBC, APEGS, EGM, Engineers Nova Scotia, APEGNB, Engineers PEI, PEGNL | At least 3 | At least 3 | At least 3 | At least 3 |
| APEGA (also NAPEG and Engineers Yukon applicants) | At least 3 | At least 3 | At least 3 | At least 3 |
| PEO | At least 1 | At least 1 | At least 3 (professional standards competency) | At least 3 |
Outside PEO, all three are among the eight Canadian-environment competencies that replaced time-based Canadian experience requirements. APEGA titles them 2.1 Oral Communication in English, 2.2 Written Communication in English and 2.3 Reading and Comprehension in English. For writing them with international experience, see the 8 Canadian-environment competencies.
Your communication examples double as your English assessment
Several regulators judge your English largely from these three examples and from your validators’ comments:
- APEGA assesses English through competencies 2.1 to 2.3 and asks for a language test only if its Board of Examiners requests one.
- EGBC assesses English from your communication competencies and your validators’ comments, and asks for a test only if needed.
- Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba requires your communication competencies to reach at least 3.0, which it says aligns with Canadian Language Benchmark 8, and may ask for a test if needed. Your communication validators must have communicated with you in English.
- Engineers PEI requires a rating of at least 3 in all communication competencies. A validator who did not communicate with you in English must be replaced for those competencies.
- PEO does not require a language test.
Choose each communication validator with care: someone who has worked with you in English (or French, where your regulator accepts it) and saw the meeting, report or document review you describe.
Breaking Down the Communication Competencies
The Communication Competencies outlined in the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) highlight three key areas: verbal communication, written communication, and document review. Each of these skills is crucial for engineers to perform effectively in collaborative, technical, and public-facing roles. Let’s look at each competency and how it plays out in real-world engineering scenarios.
2.1 Oral Communication: Effective Verbal Communication
Official wording: “Demonstrate effective verbal communication with team members, clients, contractors and members of the public in Canada’s official languages (English or French).”
Verbal communication is a fundamental skill for engineers, allowing them to articulate ideas, exchange knowledge, and engage effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders. As outlined in the Communication Competencies of Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), this competency emphasizes the importance of clear, concise, and impactful verbal interactions in diverse professional contexts.
Verbal communication competency requires engineers to effectively convey technical and non-technical information in various settings. The key indicators of this competency include presenting technical data, participating in meetings and discussions, and conducting public presentations.
Imagine an engineer working on a highway construction project where a revised traffic management plan must be communicated to concerned residents. In this situation, the engineer plays a pivotal role in translating complex engineering data into understandable information for the public. By organizing a town hall meeting, the engineer uses simplified diagrams to illustrate the plan and addresses the residents’ concerns with patience and clarity. This not only reassures the community about safety measures but also facilitates smoother implementation of the project.
Such scenarios are common in engineering, where professionals must bridge the gap between technical teams and broader audiences. Verbal communication ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of their technical background, can understand and contribute to the project’s success.
Tips for Mastering Verbal Communication
To excel in verbal communication:
- Structure Your Presentations: Organize your content with a clear introduction, main points, and a strong conclusion. Use visual aids like diagrams or slides to enhance understanding.
- Practice Active Listening: Encourage feedback and questions from your audience. Address their concerns thoughtfully to build trust and engagement.
- Tailor Your Message: Adjust your tone, language, and level of detail based on your audience’s technical knowledge and needs.
Mastering verbal communication not only supports your CBA submission but also strengthens your ability to lead discussions, foster collaboration, and resolve conflicts effectively in professional engineering environments. This competency reflects not just technical expertise but also the ability to connect, engage, and inspire confidence in all aspects of engineering practice.
- They are illustrative and show structure only: Situation (the context), Action (what you did) and Outcome (the result). Do not copy or adapt them, or any other applicant’s text.
- Describe your own first-hand work in the first person (“I…”, not “we…”). PEO’s August 2026 applicant guide also says not to describe hypothetical situations or work done by colleagues or your team.
- Character limits (Situation / Action / Outcome) differ by regulator: APEGS, EGM, Engineers Nova Scotia and PEGNL 300 / 1,200 / 300; APEGA 400 / 1,800 / 400; PEO’s PDF form 300 / 1,650 / 300. Every field in these samples fits within 300 / 1,200 / 300.
Illustrative sample (electrical engineering)
Situation
An energy study for a client required several in-person meetings. At each one I had to explain the project to stakeholders with different levels of technical understanding.
Action
Before the contract was awarded, I presented the firm’s proposed approach to the client: the steps to meet their objectives, the software I would use, examples of similar projects and a budget breakdown. After the award, I explained to the client what information I needed for the lighting analysis. I led a site review with client staff who knew each site, giving an overview of each site and of the information that mattered most for each upgrade. When the analysis was complete, I presented the draft report’s findings and recommendations to the stakeholders, adjusting the level of detail for technical and non-technical listeners. I also gave client staff a short training session on how I carried out the analysis.
Outcome
The client’s feedback was positive. I finalized the report based on their comments and requests, and the client and I discussed expanding the scope of work to include energy efficiency policies.
2.2 Writing: Effective Written Communication
Official wording: “Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in writing with team members, clients, contractors and members of the public in Canada’s official languages (English or French).”
Written communication is an essential skill for engineers, serving as a bridge between technical information and practical application. As highlighted in the communication competencies of Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), the ability to craft clear, concise, and audience-appropriate documents is critical for effective collaboration, decision-making, and project success.
Written communication competency focuses on producing documents that convey technical and non-technical information effectively. This includes writing technical reports, memos, and field observation summaries, as well as using visual aids like drawings and sketches to support key points. Engineers must tailor their written communication to their audience, ensuring clarity and relevance.
Consider a scenario where an engineer is tasked with preparing a report on the environmental impact of a proposed manufacturing facility expansion. The report must detail findings from environmental assessments, highlight potential challenges, and provide actionable recommendations. To ensure the document is impactful, the engineer organizes the information logically, using clear headings, concise summaries, and annotated diagrams to illustrate key points. By tailoring the language to suit regulatory authorities and non-technical stakeholders, the engineer ensures the report is accessible and actionable.
This comprehensive and well-structured document facilitates decision-making by regulatory bodies and garners support from stakeholders. It also demonstrates the engineer’s ability to communicate complex technical data in a way that drives results.
Tips for Mastering Written Communication
To excel in written communication:
- Know Your Audience: Adjust your tone, level of detail, and vocabulary based on who will read your document. Use plain language for non-technical stakeholders and include sufficient technical depth for experts.
- Organize Your Content: Use clear headings, bullet points, and visual aids like charts or sketches to make your document easy to navigate and understand.
- Review and Revise: Proofread your work for clarity, accuracy, and grammar. Seek feedback from colleagues to ensure your message is effective.
Mastering written communication allows engineers to document and share insights effectively, ensuring alignment among teams, stakeholders, and decision-makers. By showcasing strong written communication skills in your CBA submission, you demonstrate your readiness to handle the documentation demands of professional engineering practice with precision and professionalism.
Illustrative sample (electrical engineering)
Situation
The firm was hired to study the feasibility of electric vehicle charging stations for a multi-unit residential building. The client wanted to know the cost of providing charging in parking spaces in new developments and in existing buildings.
Action
I wrote the summary report from the analysis and calculations I had completed. Because the client’s decision-makers were not engineers, I put the costs and recommendations in a short summary at the front and kept the technical detail in the sections that followed. In the report I:
- described my research methods;
- set out the electrical sizing calculations for each charger model;
- broke down the costs for new and existing buildings;
- explained how I calculated the final numbers so the client could follow them.
Outcome
My supervisor approved the report and the client’s feedback was positive. The cost breakdown gave the client what it needed to plan charging for new and existing buildings.
2.3 Reading and Comprehension: Document Review
Official wording: “Demonstrate your ability to effectively review key documents in Canada’s official languages (English or French).”
Document review is a critical skill for engineers, ensuring the accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness of technical documentation. PEO treats it as a professional standards competency with a minimum rating of 3, and at the other regulators it is one of three communication competencies that are all Canadian-environment competencies. The skill highlights an engineer’s ability to analyze, interpret, and provide actionable feedback on key project documents.
Document review competency requires engineers to carefully examine technical documents, identify potential errors or improvements, and summarize their findings clearly. Key indicators include reviewing technical details, understanding their implications, and providing constructive recommendations that enhance the overall quality and reliability of a project.
In practice, document review often serves as the final safeguard against errors that could impact project safety, timelines, or costs. Consider a municipal bridge project where an engineer is assigned to review contractor design documents. During the review process, the engineer identifies discrepancies in load calculations that could lead to structural weaknesses. By providing detailed recommendations for corrections and collaborating with the contractor to revise the design, the engineer helps prevent potential structural failures and saves the project from costly rework.
This example underscores the importance of meticulous document review in maintaining project integrity and upholding professional standards. Effective communication of findings ensures that all stakeholders understand the implications and can take corrective actions promptly.
Tips for Mastering Document Review
To excel in document review:
- Develop a Checklist: Create a structured approach to reviewing documents, focusing on key areas such as compliance with regulations, accuracy of calculations, and clarity of designs.
- Understand the Context: Familiarize yourself with the project’s objectives, standards, and constraints to provide meaningful feedback.
- Communicate Effectively: Summarize your findings in a clear and concise format, linking observations to potential risks or impacts.
Document review competency is more than just a technical skill—it reflects an engineer’s commitment to safety, quality, and professional accountability. Demonstrating proficiency in this area not only strengthens your CBA submission but also positions you as a trusted professional capable of ensuring the success of complex engineering projects.
Illustrative sample (electrical engineering)
Situation
A client issued a request for proposal for power system studies. To prepare the firm’s scope of work and detailed quote, I had to review the RFP, drawings and specifications and understand the codes and standards they referenced.
Action
I read the RFP, drawings and specifications and listed every work requirement for the power system studies. I summarized the requirements and reviewed my summary with a P.Eng. who specializes in power systems. Where a requirement was unclear, I checked it against the referenced standards, including CSA Z462 and NFPA 70E for arc flash work, and resolved the technical questions before pricing. For the electrical equipment, I identified the Canadian Electrical Code requirements and the IEEE guidelines the specification called for. I then itemized the scope of work and estimated the effort needed from the firm’s power systems engineers and equipment specialists.
Outcome
My summary of the key requirements became the basis of the itemized scope of work and the detailed quote the firm submitted to the client.
Conclusion
Effective communication is a cornerstone of engineering practice and a critical component of the PEO licensing process. Mastering the Communication Competencies—verbal, written, and document review—enables engineers to connect technical knowledge with practical application, fostering collaboration, ensuring clarity, and enhancing project outcomes. These skills are not just requirements for licensure but are also key to professional growth and success in the field.
To succeed, it’s essential to practice these competencies, document your experiences effectively, and seek feedback to continually improve. Whether it’s leading a technical discussion, drafting a comprehensive report, or reviewing critical design documents, showcasing your communication skills will set you apart as a well-rounded professional.
Are you ready to elevate your competency assessment? Test out CBA Pro: with personalized feedback, skill gap analysis and an intuitive interface, it helps you organize your experience and check your own examples against each competency before you submit. AI can help you organize your notes and check your own draft for gaps, but your examples must be your own work and you remain responsible for them. EGBC, EGM, Engineers Nova Scotia and Engineers PEI prohibit using AI (or third parties) to create or embellish examples; APEGS and PEO hold you fully responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of anything AI helped with. See what each regulator allows.
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