What Is a P.Eng Transfer?
After obtaining my P.Eng in Manitoba, I moved to British Columbia for work. In Canada, P.Eng licences are managed independently by each provincial association — my Manitoba licence was registered under EGMB (Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba), and moving to BC meant I needed to transfer it to EGBC (Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia).
The important thing to know upfront: you do not need to start over. No CBA re-evaluation, no NPPE rewrite. A transfer means your existing licence is recognized and moved — not reissued from scratch. The process turned out to be faster and simpler than I expected, but there was one step that caught me off guard and added unnecessary time. I’ll cover that in detail below.
The Full Transfer Process
The process has four main steps: completing the transfer application on the EGBC website, preparing identity verification documents, paying the required fees, and waiting for approval. With documents ready in advance, approval typically comes within 3 to 5 business days.
Step 1: Complete the EGBC Application
The application is done entirely online at egbc.ca. It’s straightforward — you enter your personal information and existing licence details (EGMB licence number, date of issue). You don’t need to request any documents from EGMB and send them to EGBC; EGBC verifies your existing registration directly.
Step 2: Identity Verification — The Step That Trips People Up
This is where most people lose time. EGBC requires two pieces of identification: one Primary ID (a government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver’s licence) and one Secondary ID (a bank card or credit card).
The catch is that you can’t just upload scanned copies. EGBC requires notarized documents or certified true copies. The easiest way to handle this is to visit a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths — many bank branches offer this service for free or a small fee. If you don’t prepare this in advance, you’ll get partway through the application and need to pause. Getting this done before you start the application is the single most important thing you can do to keep the process moving.
Step 3: Pay the Fees
There are three fee components: the transfer application fee, the EGBC registration fee, and the annual membership fee (prorated depending on when in the year you apply). Exact amounts are published in EGBC’s Fee Schedule on their website and are updated periodically, so check before applying.
One thing many people miss: your EGMB membership does not automatically cancel when you transfer to EGBC. After your EGBC transfer is approved, you need to separately contact EGMB to submit a formal Resignation. Otherwise you’ll continue being billed for EGMB membership on top of your EGBC fees.
After Approval: What to Confirm
Once EGBC approves your transfer, you’ll receive a confirmation email and can access your new EGBC licence number and digital certificate through the member portal. Your BC P.Eng status is now active.
To maintain your EGBC licence going forward, you’ll need to complete annual Professional Development (PD) hours and pay your membership fee each year. EGBC requires that PD activities be logged in the member portal. The full details of annual licence maintenance requirements are covered in a separate post.
How Long Did It Actually Take?
Because I hadn’t prepared the notarized identity documents in advance, the process took longer than it needed to. From start to approved, it took about two weeks — mostly waiting to get the documents notarized and then resubmitting. After the certified documents were submitted, approval came within 3 to 4 business days.
If you prepare the identity documents before starting the application, the entire process can be completed in under a week. The notarization step is the only real bottleneck — everything else moves quickly once that’s in place.
P.Eng Transfer Process at a Glance
| Step | What Happens | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Complete the EGBC online application | Enter existing (EGMB) license details accurately |
| 2. Identity Verification | Submit identity documents | Most common delay — check requirements in advance |
| 3. Pay Fees | Application & annual fees | Processing starts after payment; keep receipts |
| After Approval | License issued & number confirmed | Update your seal, signature, and business cards |
Note: Steps and fees may change under EGBC policy, so confirm the official guidance before applying.
Related Posts
P.Eng guides: How to Get P.Eng in Canada · BC P.Eng Licence Maintenance Guide · Complete Guide to PC in Canadian Construction