Examination Application

The following information is provided for candidates who wish to apply to write an examination. Examination bookings will NOT be made over the telephone. The applicable application for examination form must be completed and forwarded to the ABSA Edmonton Office for evaluation. Application forms which contain incomplete information may be delayed during evaluation. Where applicable, candidates are required to record their file numbers on their application forms. Candidates with online access can apply through the ABSA Power Engineering web site access if previously approved.

Power Engineer's Examination

1. When required by the Power Engineers Regulation, applicants must provide the appropriate experience and educational minimum requirements pertaining to the Class of certificate they are applying to write.
2. Completed application form (AB-66, Application for Engineer's/Operator's Examination), must be submitted to the ABSA Edmonton Office, Examination Department at least 21 days prior to the requested examination date.
3. Form AB-66 consists of Part A and Part B. Part A is to be completed and signed by the individual who is applying to write the examination. Part B must be completed and signed by the Chief Steam Engineer or Company Official to verify the experience.
4. A non-refundable scheduling fee, as indicated on the application form (AB-66), must accompany the application.
5. Upon approval of the application, a notice of examination will be mailed or an email notification will be sent, to the applicant noting date, time and place.
6. Candidates will be notified by mail or an email notification, of their examination result (pass or fail) by ABSA in approximately 2-4 weeks after the examination. No examination results will be provided by telephone, fax or e-mail.

What To Bring To An Exam

A candidate is allowed to use the following items in the examination room, the Examiner reserves the right to inspect all items:

• A non-technical english language dictionary
• Handbook of Formulae and Physical Constants, Steam Tables and Refrigeration Tables
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes except for Sections VI and VII
• The 2004 ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Academic Extract and Supplement
• ASME B31.1 Pressure Piping Code and B31.3 Process Piping Code
• CSA B51, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Pressure Piping Code
• CSA B52, Mechanical Refrigeration Code
• Safety Codes Act and Regulations
• Pens and pencils
• A scientific non-programmable calculator
• Drawing instruments and drawing templates

Only these reference items are allowed, candidates can be disqualified if other reference material is used.

The candidate’s must provide picture ID to the Examiner prior to the examination. This can be a drivers license, college picture ID or passport.

Note:

• No cell phone or any electronic communication devices are allowed to be switched on in the examination room.
• No scrap paper is allowed. 
• Important: If your calculator is programmable, you must reset it in the company of the examiner so that the examiner is sure that all memories are clear. Or the examiner may request that you remove the battery to erase all memory. This may be done during your examination time, so be aware that you may have less time to complete your exam. If the memories do not clear by resetting the calculator or by removing the battery, the calculator shall not be used. Also, if your calculator fails to function after reset or battery removal, the examiner is not responsible and you may be at a significant disadvantage.
• The information in the 1983 Edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Academic Extract is outdated. Using this 1983 Edition of the ASME Extract for any power engineering examination is not recommended. Besides using the 2004 Edition of the ASME Academic Extract and Supplement, candidates may use the current edition of the ASME Code.
• For engineering calculations, especially code calculations, rounding the calculated value at an early stage of calculation may provide a significant difference in the end result. It is good practice to carry four decimal places during the calculation.

Penalties For Failing Power Engineer Examinations

Information Bulletin IB03-008 Rev.2 Interpretation to Section 28(g) clarifies that the disqualification applies to either failure of any 3 papers in succession or failure of the same paper 3 times.

The Administrator establishes policy for disqualifications due to consecutive failures of examination papers. The disqualification time starts at the last failed examination date. A summary of disqualification guidelines follows: 

1. Failure of any 3 examination papers in succession or failure of the same paper 3 times will receive a 6 month disqualification from writing any further papers of that examination.
2. Subsequent failures of any examination papers in succession or more than 3 failures of the same paper will each receive a further 6 months disqualification.
3. Candidates are not allowed to schedule examination papers for situations where they have potential to be under disqualification at the scheduled examination date.

• Candidates with 2 consecutive failures may not schedule more than one paper in advance.
• Candidates with one failure may not schedule more that two papers in advance.
• No candidate may schedule more than 3 papers in advance.

4. The time period under consideration for failed papers is 2 years.  Failed examination papers older than 2 years are not considered in determination of disqualification from writing future examination papers.
5. Any exam results achieved outside of the Province of Alberta during a penalty period are not transferable to Alberta for Power Engineer certification.

The 6 month disqualifications are minimum penalties. The Administrator may impose a disqualification for up to 12 months, if deemed appropriate.

Applicants who apply under a penalty will receive a disqualification letter and the examination fee will automatically be refunded.