Power Engineer Exam Info (Canada)
Exam conditions, allowed materials, and jurisdiction-specific links. Always verify with your regulator.
Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies
Exam formats and allowed materials can differ by province/territory and can change over time. Use the links below as a navigation hub to the most relevant official resources.
All provinces/territories
Visit the regulatory body responsible for power engineer certification in your area:
Full guides for ABSA, TSASK, TSBC and TSSA
Exam format by class
Most provinces follow the SOPEEC (Standardization of Power Engineers Examination Committee) syllabus. Here is a general overview:
| Class | Papers | Format | Duration | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Class | 1 | 100 multiple-choice | 3 hours | 65% |
| 4th Class | 2 (A, B) | 100 multiple-choice each | 3 hours each | 65% |
| 3rd Class | 4 (A1, A2, B1, B2) | 100 multiple-choice each | 3 hours each | 65% |
| 2nd Class | 6 | 100 multiple-choice each | 3 hours each | 65% |
| 1st Class | 8 | 1A1-1B3 essay (7 questions, answer 5); 1B4 multiple-choice (100 questions) | 1A1-1B3: 3.5 hours; 1B4: 3 hours | 65% |
Note: Ontario does not have a 5th Class certificate. Exam details may vary by jurisdiction. Always verify with your regulator.
Exam format examples by jurisdiction
- 5th Class: One paper, 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, 65% pass mark. Typically requires completion of an approved program.
- 4th Class: Two papers, 100 multiple-choice questions each, 3 hours per paper, 65% pass mark
- 3rd Class: Four papers, 100 multiple-choice questions each, 3 hours per paper, 65% pass mark
- 2nd Class: Six papers, 100 questions multiple-choice questions each, 3 hours per exam, 65% pass mark
- 1st Class: Eight exams total; papers 1A1-1B3 are essay (7 questions, answer 5), and paper 1B4 is 100 multiple-choice questions (effective January 1, 2026)
Technical Safety BC lists permitted materials (academic supplement, code extracts, relevant legislation) and restricts calculators to non-programmable models.