So you’ve submitted your P.Eng. application and you’ve gotten a bad surprise; you’ve received a notice of deferral. Not what you were hoping for, but no need to panic. Keep reading to learn more about moving forward after a P.Eng. application deferral.
If your P.Eng. application is deferred, the next step is submitting for reassessment and improving your deficiencies in specific competency entries.
PYPD sat down with Amir Khan, P.Eng. to get insights into the intricacies involved in deferred applications and strategies to navigate this hurdle. Amir is the Employer Relationship Manager at the University of Alberta Engineering Co-Op program, and volunteers to assess P.Eng. applications for APEGA. He has offered some insights into the deferral process, and some suggestions on how to effectively move forward if you receive a deferral notice.
How Will I Know My P.Eng. Application is Deferred?
Deferral, at its core, is not a full stop but a comma in the journey of your professional designation application. It occurs when an application lacks certain elements or fails to meet the specified criteria, requiring further clarification or additional context from the applicant.
If your application is deferred, you will receive a letter explaining why. There are two main reasons applications will be deferred: experiential and educational.
● Educational: You have not met the educational requirements needed to become a P.Eng. in Alberta. If you are unsure if your education is acceptable, you can find more information on APEGA’s Academic Documentation page.
● Experiential: Your competency entries do not demonstrate that you have the necessary experience to be an engineer. This is either due to your entry not properly depicting your experience, or you require more specific experience for that competency.
Included in this letter you will find the examiner notes, which will serve as a detailed guide, pointing out the exact areas where the application fell short. Before starting on rewriting your competency entries, read these notes closely to determine exactly what you are considered deficient in.
Moving Forward After a Deferral
The journey doesn't end with receiving a deferral notice. The notice is a call to action. APEGA is encouraging you to digest the examiner's notes carefully, reflect on the feedback, and prepare for the next steps, whether it be reassessment or reconsideration.
Reassessment or Reconsideration: Choosing Your Path
Upon receiving a deferral, applicants stand at a crossroads. There are two routes you can take when deciding how to move forward:
● Reassessment: You acknowledge specific gaps in your application, and rewrite competency entries to address the stated issues.
● Reconsideration: You believe an error was made in the initial assessment. This decision requires a thorough understanding of the feedback provided and a strategic approach to addressing the identified gaps.
With either option, you must act within 90 days of receiving your decision letter.
Reassessment: Improving Your Competency Entries
If your application is deferred due to experiential requirements, there are some concrete steps you can take while you think about the sections you will be rewriting:
● Clarify YOUR Impact on Projects: Articulate your specific contributions to projects clearly and compellingly. Vague descriptions or overviews won't suffice.
● Demonstrate Competency: Make sure you understand what the competency is actually looking for you to demonstrate. Analyze the indicators and use them to speak to your competence.
● Ensure Objectivity: Engaging with supervisors, mentors, and peers in a professional, objective manner is vital in addressing and rectifying deficiencies. Ensure your validators are being truthful and accurate in their reporting.
Reconsideration: You Believe an Error was Made
Reconsideration is trickier to address, as you need to be able to concretely prove that there was either an error made or that something in the process of analyzing your application was unfair. You cannot submit new information, you can only state the reasons that lead you to believe that something was not right with your process.
Reconsideration is trickier to address, as you need to be able to concretely prove that there was either an error made or that something in the process of analyzing your application was unfair. You cannot submit new information, you can only state the reasons that lead you to believe that something was not right with your process.
The Weight of Responsibility For a P.Eng.
While it’s frustrating to have your application deferred, you should remember the profound responsibility that comes with professional designations. Signing off on work isn't just a bureaucratic step; it's a testament to one's competence, integrity, and accountability. It underscores the importance of diligence, continuous learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
Designation is more than a title; it's a commitment to making informed, impactful decisions and having a voice in critical conversations. This perspective is a reminder of the gravity of professional recognition and the responsibility it entails. Every P.Eng. in the profession of engineering should be able to confidently stamp and speak to their impact, something that the P.Eng. application prepares you for.
Overcoming Application Deferral
Deferral, while daunting, is not an insurmountable obstacle. It's a part of the growth process, offering an opportunity to refine and enhance your application. By understanding the specifics of the deferral, utilizing the examiner's notes as a guide, and choosing the appropriate course of action, you can create the best possible P.Eng. application, and start stamping ASAP.
For those navigating this journey, remember: every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. With the right mindset, resources, and support, overcoming deferral is not just possible but can be a stepping stone to greater professional achievement and recognition.
Let this be a moment of reflection and action. Embrace the feedback, address the gaps, and move forward with confidence. Your dedication and resilience will pave the way to not just overcoming deferral but achieving your professional aspirations.
If you need help creating your P.Eng. application, PYPD is here to help. Learn more about how we can help you create the best possible application here.
If you need help creating your P.Eng. application, PYPD is here to help. Learn more about how we can help you create the best possible application here.