[ertyuiop]

The problem is in canada that an engineering degree is ALL that's required to be an engineer but is also the ONLY thing that's required.

I work with a team building satellites, we have physics PhDs. But we aren't engineers, so we aren't recognised professionals = we have to be in the union, we can't be mangers - while the lowest 'engineer in training' with a pass grade in an engineering degree is an exempt employee that can be promoted to a 'professional' post.

[jarek]

That's incorrect on both fields. First, in addition to the degree you need to pass the professional engineering examinations administered by your provincial association. Second, at least in Ontario you can indeed get licensed as a professional engineer without having an engineering degree if your background and skills are deemed sufficient. Since licenses are portable between provinces, I would imagine this is the case in other provinces as well.

"If you do not have an undergraduate degree in engineering from a program accredited by the CEAB, your academic background will be assessed by PEO to determine whether it is equivalent to the established standards. PEO will assign technical exams to give you an opportunity to confirm (Confirmatory Examination Program) that your academic preparation is equivalent or to remedy any identified deficiencies (Specific Examination Program).

If you have been assigned a Confirmatory Examination Program and have more than five years of engineering experience, PEO may grant you an interview with its Experience Requirements Committee (ERC) to determine if your experience provides any basis to warrant exam relief."

http://www.peo.on.ca/registration/education.html