OFFICIAL NPPE EXAM BLUEPRINT 

Module I: Professionalism 

1. Definition and Interpretation of Professionalism and Professional Status.

The defining elements of a professional (the context is that of the self-regulating professions: engineers, geoscientists, doctors, lawyers, etc. versus other occupations):

• Have advanced technical knowledge and skills that the public takes on trust.
• Give service to the public and in the public interest.
• Are bound by a distinct ethical code.
• Belong to self-governing organizations that regulate the profession to maintain standards.
• Right to self-regulate is earned.
• Requires participation of members to fulfill self-regulating function.
• Undergo long and intensive preparation.
• Require continued study and development.

2. The Role and Responsibilities of Professionals in Society.

• Skilled and regulated practice.
• Personal accountability and responsibility for own professional practice.
• Accountable for the professional practice of those under their supervision.
• Dependence on the confidence of stakeholders: employers, clients, authorities, public.
• Justify and uphold trust from the stakeholders.
• Protection of the public.
• Definition of the public in different circumstances—general public, client, employer, fellow workers.
• Definition of protection—physical safety, physical protection, physical failures, environmental protection, economic safety.

3. Engineering and Geoscience Professions in Canada: Definitions and Scopes of Practice.

This topic is considered at a high level. What is considered is who, what, when, source of authority, reason for, etc. Detailed processes and requirements are considered in other blueprint sections.

• Provincial and territorial regulators.
• Authority to license and self-regulate the professions.
• Authority to discipline and enforce.
• Jurisdiction and independence between regulators.
• Right to title and exclusive scope of practice.
• Definition of engineering—"advising, evaluating, designing …. matter, materials …math, chemistry, physics …".
• Definition of geosciences—"advising, evaluating, interpreting …. earth sciences … discovery development …math, chemistry, physics …".
• Professional seals.
• Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada: regulator of regulators, non-regulatory roles, create standards and guidelines, accreditation roles.
• Brief histories.
• The iron and earth rings.

4. The Value of Engineering and Geoscience Professions to Society.

• Economic benefits of work and projects.
• Technology applications.
• Technology research and development.
• Infrastructure development.
• Energy research, development, production, and generation.
• Products research and development.
• Manufacturing and processing.
• Resource research and development.
• Limits and sustainability.

Module II: Ethics 

5. The Role of Ethics in Society: Cultures and Customs.

• Ethics - the study of right and wrong (morality).
• Moral principles are developed by societies and groups.
• Laws of a society flow from its moral principles.

6. Ethical Theories and Principles.

• Recognition that there are different and contrasting ethical theories/perspectives that can result in different outcomes each considered correct within the given theory.
• Ethics applied to professional issues from the perspectives of the classical and modern theories.
• The ethical perspectives/theories that form the basis in establishing the Code of Ethics for the professions and that guide disciplinary actions.
• Ethical Perspectives/Theories – Classical (Exam candidates are not required to know these theories by rote but rather should recognize the principles of the different theories in application).
  • Greater good/maximum benefit – utilitarianism.
  • Duty.
  • Human rights.
  • Virtue.

7. Codes of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in Canada.

• Source and legal authority of the codes of ethics:
  • Derived from the acts.
  • Status.
• Understanding of the core tenets:
  • Protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.
  • Have regard for the public.
  • Practice only in areas of competence.
  • Conduct themselves with integrity, honesty, fairness and objectivity in their professional activities.
  • Compliance with applicable statutes, regulations and bylaws.
  • Uphold and enhance the honour, dignity, and reputation of their professions.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest.
  • Maintain competence of self and of subordinates.
  • Present the possible consequences of ignoring professional judgments.
  • Report illegal or unethical professional decisions or practices.
  • Promote the equitable treatment of all individuals.
• Use of the codes of ethics in regulating the professions.
• Recognition that minor differences exist between regulators.

8. Common Ethical Issues and Dilemmas: Making Ethical Decisions.

Issues and cases concerning ethical dilemmas looked at through the lens of the code of ethics and other approaches to seek solutions.

• Conflict of interest from the perspective of ethical dilemmas, solutions, and decisions.
• Conflicts between technical authority and management authority.
• Duty to report / whistle blowing as an ethical dilemma.
• Loyalty to the employer.
• Limiting practice to areas of competence.
• Plagiarism and copyright infringement.
• Professional responsibility vs employment issues.
• Professional competence.
• Reviewing work of others.
• Confidentiality.
• Foreign assignments.

Module III: Professional Practice 

9. Professional Accountability, Workplace Issues, Job Responsibilities, & Practice Standards.

• Professional responsibility for work.
  • How it comes into being.
  • Where it rests.
  • Responsibility for work of junior members and subordinates.
  • Responsibility for work created by several members in multiple disciplines.
• The corporate world.
  • Corporate ethics and pressures on the professional.
  • Corporate responsibilities and loyalty vs professional responsibilities.
  • Confidentiality vs professional responsibilities, transparency or accountability.
  • Confidentiality or ownership of data and knowledge.
• Due diligence.
• Globalization.
  • Responsibilities of international work (when laws differ, what governs?).
  • Responsibilities of using products and knowledge developed internationally.
• Legality.
  • Practise within the boundaries and intents of the law.
  • Meet the spirit of the law.
• Professional responsibilities in developing software.
• Relying on work prepared by others.

10. The Role and Responsibilities of Professionals to Employers and Clients.

• Duty to the employer/client.
• Loyalty, confidentiality, competence, diligence.
• Conflict of interest - recognition of:
  • avoidance of.
  • expected conduct when in a conflict of interest.
• Personal interest vs employer’s/client’s interest.
• Duty to the employer/client vs duty to the public.
• Professional environment and development.
  • Recognition of the code of ethics by the employer as necessary to support professionals in their work and career.

11. Relations with Other Professionals and Non-Professionals: Business Practices.

• Roles of technicians, technologists, scientists in multidisciplinary teams.
• Respect and consultation with other professions.
• Reviewing the work of another professional.
• Need to consult with experts outside of own field of practice.

12. Statutory and Non-Statutory Standards and Codes of Practice.

• Professional, legal, social.
• Generally accepted professional practices.
• Finality and interpretation.
• Limitation of standards.
• The role of standards (international, national, government).
• Legal authority responsible for codes (provincial, national, municipal).
• Application of codes and standards.
• Standard and code setting bodies.

13. Risk Management, Insurance, Quality Management, and Due Diligence.

• Risk Management.
  • General principles and benefits (basic requirement of public protection).
  • Legal framework (general).
  • Overview of current methods of analysis.
    • Risk assessment.
    • Hazard identification.
    • Types of hazards.
    • Types of risks.
    • Analysis and estimation.
    • Evaluating the risks.
  • Risk management for professional practice.
  • Transfer, retention and monitoring of risk.
  • Hazard reduction and failure analysis.
  • Case studies.
• Insurance.
  • Commercial general insurance (purpose).
  • Professional errors and omissions insurance.
    • Purpose – what is covered.
    • Statute of limitations – retroactive date.
    • Compulsory vs optional (where so).
    • Corporate vs individual.
    • Consultant vs employee.
• Quality Management.
  • General principles (basic requirement of public protection).
  • Legal framework (general).
    • Overview of quality management standards.
    • Overview of current methods of analysis (ISO, 6Sigma, CSA, LEAN, TQM).
    • Application to professional practice.
    • Management of technical quality.
    • Communication and records.
• Due Diligence.
  • Concept and requirements.
  • Concepts of foreseeability, preventability, controllability.

14. Environmental Responsibilities and Sustainable Development.

As considered from a non-politicized perspective.

• Understanding environmental and sustainability issues in the field of expertise
• Use of environmental or sustainability specialists when necessary.
• Application of professional and responsible judgment to environmental and sustainability considerations.
• Ensuring that environmental planning and management are implemented.
• Consideration of environmental costs when evaluating the economic viability of projects.
• Recognition of the value of environmental efficiency and sustainability.
• Responding to environmental concerns in a timely fashion.
• The desire to meet or exceed regulatory environmental and sustainability requirements.
• Working with others to improve environmental understanding and sustainability practices.
• Examples and case studies.

15. Use of Software, Computers, and Internet-Based Tools: Liability for Software Errors.

• Validation of (analysis and design) software.
  • Responsibility for the outputs of software.
• The role of computers in professional practice.
• Respect of copyright law: software piracy and plagiarism.
• Computer system security from the perspective of licensed professionals.
• Internet ethics (harassment, courtesy, "netiquette").

16. Document Authentication and Control.

• Authentication of documents.
• Use of stamp or seal, verification stamps.
• Electronic authentication of documents.
• Review of documents.
• Document revision control.
• As-built drawings – responsibility for.
• Record keeping and turning over records when required.
• Preservation of records in a usable format (8" floppies, faded paper, etc.).
• Responsibility for control of personal stamp or seal.

17. Duty to Inform and Whistleblowing.

• To clients or employers, regulatory agencies, the public.
• Communicate openly, honestly and truthfully (the WHOLE story).
• Whistleblower protection.

18. Communication.

• Legal, Ethical, and Practical Aspects of Communication.
  • and problems of internet-based communications.
  • Issues concerning electronic documents and records.
  • Proper use of the professional title.
• The Professional Relationship.
• Communication Skills (meta aspects).
  • Important aspects of technical writing and reports.
  • Important aspects of presentations.
  • Oral communication.
  • Technical writing.
  • Internet communication.
  • Languages.

Module IV: Law for Professional Practice.

19. The Canadian Legal System.

• The Canadian Constitution.
• The Canadian court system.
• The creation of law.
• Common law – what it is and where it applies.
  • Case law and the role of precedent.
• Civil Code in Quebec – as compared to Common Law.
• Claims and disputes.
• International law.
• Some additional items.
  • Types of law: private vs public, criminal law, civil law, administrative law.
  • Constitutional framework.
  • Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

20. Contract Law: Elements, Principles, and Applications.

• Essential elements of contracts.
  • General principles of contract formation – invitation to treat, offer, acceptance.
  • Consideration.
• Agreements to agree, letters of intent, memorandum of understanding.
• Amendment of contracts.
• Waiver and estoppel.
• Quantum meruit.
• Breach of contract.
• Remedies for breach of contract; damages.
• Termination of contract.
• Repudiation and anticipatory breach.
• Principles of interpretation of contracts.
• Agency and authority.
• Using contractual terms to manage risk.
  • Changed circumstances.
  • Conditional agreements.
  • Limitation of liability clause.
  • Exemption clause.
  • Liquidated damages clause.
  • Transfer of risk and obligation.
  • Indemnification clauses.
• Misrepresentations and important mistakes.
• Selected contract topics and issues.
  • Procurement approaches and methods.
  • The formal tendering and bid process.
  • Qualifications-based selection (QBS) in hiring consultants.
  • Project delivery.
  • International and interprovincial trade agreements.
  • Requirements of writing for certain contracts to be enforceable (statute of frauds).
• Specific types of contracts.
  • Common and standard clauses.
  • Standard form contracts.
  • Fixed price; time and charges, unit rate, etc..
  • Professional service agreements.
  • Licensing agreements.
  • Design and build.

21. Tort Law: Elements, Principles, and Applications.

• Definition of torts
• Categories and types of torts
  • Negligence
  • Trespass
  • Nuisance (Rylands v. Fletcher)
  • Defamation
• Negligence
  • Steps to negligence action
  • Professional standard of care
• Duty to warn (of impending danger)
• Professional liability – negligent misstatement 
  • to clients
  • to third parties
  • disclaimers
• Products liability
• Managing tort risk in professional practice
  • Common issues in contract and tort
  • Concurrent liability in contract and tort
  • Limitation periods
  • Joint and several liability
  • Vicarious liability
  • Codes and standards

22. Civil Law in Quebec.

• Contracts (conditions of formation of contracts, interpretation of contracts, effects of contracts).
• Civil liability (conditions of liability, contractual liability, extra-contractual liability, modalities of obligations: solitary, joint, divisible and indivisible).
• Performance of obligations (right to enforce performance, default, specific performance, resolution or termination (resiliation) of contracts, extinction of obligations).
• Contract of enterprise or for services (nature and scope of the contract, rights and obligations of the parties).

23. Business, Employment, and Labour Law.

• Business organizations: forms, advantages and disadvantages.
• Labour Law.
  • Trade unions and collective agreements.
  • Layoffs and seniority.
• Employment Law.
  • Implied terms.
  • Restrictive covenants.
  • Employment standards legislation.
  • Termination.
  • Independent contractor vs. employee.
• Human rights in the context of employment.
  • The Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

24. Dispute Resolution.

• Litigation.
• Arbitration.
• Negotiation.
• Mediation.

25. Intellectual Property: Patents, Trade Secrets, Copyright, and Trademarks.

• Patents.
• Trade Secrets.
• Copyright.
  • as related to professional designs and documents.
  • in relation to Software.
• Trademarks.
• Intellectual Property Issues.
  • Software issues.
  • The creation and ownership of intellectual property.
    • Assignment and licensing.
    • Consultant versus employee.

26. Expert Witness Responsibilities.

• Role.
• Neutrality.
• Fees.

27. Bonds and Construction Liens.

• Bonds
  • Roles and responsibilities of parties.
  • Indemnities.
  • Types.
    • Bid.
    • Performance.
    • Payment.
• Construction Liens.
  • Making a claim.
  • Who may claim.
  • Holdbacks.

28. International Law.

• Trade agreements.
• Human rights.
• Environmental.
• Laws of jurisdiction.
• Applicability of home code of ethics, Engineering & Geoscience Act, regulations and bylaws.
• International treaties and organizations (tax, goods).
• Registration requirements (licensure), codes, laws, regulations.
• Work permits.

29. Environmental Law.

• Federal and provincial laws.
• Jurisdiction.
• Environmental offences.
• Duty to report.
• Site assessments and audits.
• The environmental assessment process.

30. Workers Compensation and Occupational Health & Safety.

Of concern is that which is common for all engineering and geoscience regulators in Canada.

• Occupational health and safety law.
  • Federal and Provincial Law.
    • Criminal code provisions.
  • Responsibilities.
  • Role of the prime contractor.
  • When an accident occurs.
  • OH&S Regulators.
• Worker’s compensation law.
  • Torts.
  • Worker insurance for injuries.
  • Prevention of worker lawsuits against employers.

31. Human Rights and Privacy Legislation.

• Human rights.
• The Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Privacy law.

32. Further Areas of Law.

• Real property and chattels.
• Delay and impact claims.
• Aboriginal Law.
• Securities Law.

Module V: Professional Law.

33. Acts, Regulations, and Bylaws of Provincial and Territorial Associations.

• Self-regulation; the regulators.
• The acts, regulations, and other laws.
• Right to title.
• Definitions of engineering and geosciences.
• Scope of practice.
• The role of Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada.

34. Admission to the Professions.

• Meaning of licensure.
• Registration.
  • Experience.
  • Academics.
  • Examinations.
• Interprovincial mobility agreements; international agreements.
• Licensing of Corporations.
  • Permit to Practice, Certification of Authorization, for consultants and firms.

35. Illegal Practice and Enforcement Against Unlicensed Practice.

• Practice related.
• Title related.

36. Professional and Technical Societies.

• Purpose and benefits.
• Comparison with the regulatory regulators.

Module VI: Regulation of Members & Discipline Processes.

37. Discipline Procedures.

• Unprofessional conduct.
• Unskilled practice.
• Purpose, procedure, consequences.
  • Response to complaints (from clients, public, fellow members, etc.).
  • Response to unethical or unskilled practice.
  • Consequences of unethical practice or unskilled practice.

38. Practice Review of Individuals.

• Purpose, procedure, consequences.

39. Practice Review of Firms.

• Purpose, procedure, consequences.

40. Continuing Professional Development.

The common high-level requirements across all engineering and geoscience regulators in Canada.

• Purpose.
• Requirements.