If you’re planning to earn your Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license in Canada, you’ve probably heard about the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA). The CBA isn’t just another form—it’s the core of your P.Eng. application, showcasing how your engineering experience proves you’re ready for independent practice.
But here’s a question we hear all the time at CertNova:
“When should I start writing CBA for PEng?”
The answer: as early as possible—and this article explains exactly why, when, and how.
Why Timing Matters in Writing CBA for PEng
If you’re planning to earn your Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) license in Canada, you’ve probably heard about the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA). The CBA isn’t just another form—it’s the heart of your P.Eng. application, showcasing how your engineering experience proves you’re ready for independent practice.
But here’s a question we hear all the time at CertNova:
“When should I start writing my CBA for PEng?”
The answer: as early as possible—and we’ll show you why.
Whether you’re still accumulating your 48 months of engineering experience or have recently graduated, this guide breaks down the ideal timeline, strategy, and tools to optimize your success with writing CBA for PEng.
What Is a Competency-Based Assessment (CBA)?
The Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) is a structured framework used by regulatory bodies like PEO, APEGA, EGBC, and others to assess an engineer’s readiness to practice professionally in Canada.
Rather than listing tasks or job duties, the CBA focuses on demonstrating 34 specific competencies, categorized into:
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Technical Competence
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Communication
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Project & Financial Management
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Team Effectiveness
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Professional Accountability
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Sustainability & Social Impact
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Continuous Professional Development
Your job? Provide clear, validated work examples using the Situation–Action–Outcome (SAO) format.
More on that later—but the big takeaway is: you need to show—not just tell—how you meet each competency.
Reference: PEO CBA Guide
When Can You Start Writing CBA for PEng?
This might surprise you, but you don’t have to wait until you complete your 48 months of experience to begin writing.
Most provincial regulators allow you to start drafting your CBA well in advance, and in some cases, even recommend that you record examples as you go.
For example:
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EGBC encourages using their online system to log and update your CBA records in real-time.
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APEGA notes that you should prepare your documentation and start discussing your competencies with validators early.
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PEO explicitly allows documenting pre-graduation experience, as long as it’s after halfway through your degree and validated.
You can even submit up to 12 months of pre-graduation experience, provided it meets their standards.
Additional link: APEGA’s CBA User Guide (PDF)
Why Start Writing Your CBA Early?
If you’re aiming for a smooth, stress-free licensure process, writing CBA for PEng early can be your secret weapon.
1. Retain Details While They’re Fresh
Waiting years to write about a project means forgetting critical technical nuances or stakeholder decisions. Document while it’s fresh.
2. Identify Gaps and Act Proactively
CBA Pro by CertNova highlights which competencies you’ve met and where you fall short—so you can find new projects or training to fill in those gaps.
3. Secure Better Validator Engagement
Approaching validators while you’re still at the company (or recently moved) helps you get authentic, detailed feedback.
4. Reduce Application Stress
Doing everything at once when you’re job hunting, prepping for the NPPE, and requesting references? Not fun. Spacing it out helps you stay focused and thorough.
How to Document Experience While You Work
Here’s a method you can adopt right now, even if you’re a first-year EIT:
Use the SAO Format
Break down your examples into:
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Situation – the context of the project
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Action – what you specifically did
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Outcome – the impact of your work
Create a Competency Tracker
Use a spreadsheet or the CBA Pro dashboard to:
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Track projects chronologically
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Assign competencies to each project
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Add validator details and deadlines
Keep Evidence Handy
Document emails, designs, reports, and meeting notes (ensure it’s non-confidential). These will help validate your examples if questioned.
Tools to Help You Get Started
Writing CBA for PEng doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Tools like CBA Pro from CertNova are built specifically for this journey.
CBA Pro Features:
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Map your experience to the 34 competencies
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Identify which competencies need more examples
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Generate SAO-formatted examples
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Collaborate with mentors and validators
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Export reports for submission
Start here: https://competencybasedassessment.ca/cba-intake-form
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Early CBA Writing
Starting early doesn’t guarantee success unless you avoid these common errors:
Writing Too Vaguely
Your actions must show engineering judgment, technical decisions, and problem-solving. Use “I” not “we.”
Skipping Validator Planning
Don’t wait till the last minute to find a validator. They need time, context, and clarity to provide solid endorsements.
Ignoring Professional Standards Competencies
Competencies related to safety, ethics, peer review, and regulations often trip applicants up. Don’t overlook them.
These include:
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1.1: Knowledge of codes and standards
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1.6: Safety knowledge
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5.1: Ethics application
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5.5: Use of the stamp and seal
Source: PEO CBA Competency List PDF
FAQs About Writing CBA for PEng
Q1: Can I write my CBA before I hit 48 months of experience?
Yes, and you should! You just can’t submit until you’ve met the full experience requirement.
Q2: Can I use the same project for multiple competencies?
Absolutely. Just tailor each example to the specific competency being addressed.
Q3: What if I worked internationally?
You can use international experience, provided it shows equivalent technical standards and is validated by a qualified professional.
Q4: How many validators do I need?
As many as required to validate all 34 competencies—but only one validator per competency.
Final Thoughts
Your P.Eng. journey isn’t just about time served—it’s about how effectively you present your experience. Starting writing CBA for PEng early:
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Gives you control over your application timeline
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Prevents last-minute scrambling
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Helps ensure that nothing valuable slips through the cracks
The engineering profession in Canada demands excellence. So don’t wait. Start strong. Document intentionally.
Because in the world of licensure—preparation is power.
Let CertNova Guide Your CBA Journey
Don’t know where to begin? Our platform, CBA Pro, is designed to make writing CBA for PEng easy, strategic, and stress-free.
Get personalized support, validator management, and real-time feedback.
Start your CBA journey today:
https://competencybasedassessment.ca/cba-intake-form
