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Experience Review

Disciplines of Registration Associate Membership Certified Membership
Documents File Review Experience Review Language Requirements Exam Technology Report (C.E.T. Only)

Experience Review

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Each member who applied for certification as a C.Tech. or C.E.T. will have their employment experience evaluated to determine whether it meets the OACETT expected competencies of a technician or technologist.

Experience reviews are completed by OACETT's Admissions Committee, which consists of experienced members representing each of our engineering technology and applied science disciplines. These reviewers understand the responsibilities and competency expectations of today's technicians and technologists.

To ensure fairness and consistency:

  • Every experience submission is independently reviewed by two Admissions Committee members.
  • If the reviews reach different conclusions, a third independent reviewer is assigned to complete the assessment and determine the final outcome.

Your experience is evaluated only on the information you provide, including:
  • Resume
  • Job descriptions
  • Employer reference questionnaire responses
The review is a point-in-time assessment, meaning your experience is evaluated against today's competency expectations, not those that may have existed in previous years.

The Committee assesses the demonstrated level of competency by considering factors such as:

Complexity and Judgement: Are the decisions typical and consistent with established practices (TECHNICIAN), or are they non-typical and involve non-standard approaches (TECHNOLOGIST)?

Administrative Oversight: Is the authority task-based, limited to performing assigned technical duties (TECHNICIAN), or is it project-based, encompassing oversight, integration of multiple components, and accountability for project outcomes (TECHNOLOGIST)?

Experience reviews are based on today's competency standards and the evidence provided in your application.

Over time, OACETT has refined its competency expectations to reflect current industry practices and ensure a fair and consistent registration process.

Current assessments focus on demonstrated competency, not simply whether certain tasks were performed.

This competency-based approach aligns with:
  • practices used by engineering technology associations across Canada;
  • expectations established by the Ontario Fairness Commissioner.
Because every assessment is a point-in-time review; previous evaluations are not used as precedents for current applications.

Once an experience assessment has been completed, revised job descriptions or additional explanations cannot be accepted for reconsideration.

If you believe you can demonstrate technologist-level competencies, you may choose to complete a Competency Based Assessment (CBA) Profile.

The CBA allows applicants to demonstrate their competencies using detailed, project-specific examples that align with the expectations of their discipline. The assessment identifies both technician and technologist competency indicators so applicants understand the level of evidence required.

Please note:
  • Responses must describe specific projects and your individual contributions—not general job duties.
  • A $100 assessment fee applies.
For more information, contact certify@oacett.org.

Many employers recognize the value of OACETT certification and include certification levels in their job postings.

However, employers may not always be familiar with the specific competency requirements that distinguish a Certified Technician (C.Tech.) from a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.).

In addition, we regularly see job descriptions that have not been updated for many years and continue to describe responsibilities that may have aligned with C.E.T. expectations at the time they were written but no longer reflect the current competency standards OACETT expects.

OACETT is working with employers and Human Resources departments to increase awareness of the competency expectations associated with each certification level.

Yes. Beginning in Fall 2026, OACETT will introduce a voluntary Experience Self-Assessment Survey for applicants in the Civil discipline.

The survey will be available through your OACETT member portal and will help you estimate whether your documented experience is more likely to align with technician or technologist competencies before your formal experience review.

The survey consists of a series of practical scenarios that allow you to compare your experience with the competency expectations used during the Admissions Committee review.

Additional disciplines will be added in phases:
  • By the end of 2026: Building, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical
  • Throughout 2027: Remaining OACETT disciplines
Please note: The self-assessment survey is attended as a guidance tool only. It does not replace the formal experience review conducted by the Admissions Committee.