The Iron Ring symbolizes the unity of engineers and serves as a reminder of the obligations and ethics that are associated to the profession. During the construction of the Quebec Bridge in 1900, poor decisions led to the failure of the bridge ending the lives of 75 individuals. As a result of this incident, the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer came to be. The first ceremony the Iron Ring was first presented was in 1925. By wearing the Iron Ring, the engineer is accepting the obligation bestowed upon them to live by the high standard of professional conduct. 

PhD and master’s graduates without an engineering bachelor’s from a Canadian institution interested in receiving an Iron Ring must have their international education assessed. For more information, email us.  

Only students who are on track to graduate receive an invitation. If you haven’t received one but believe you’re on track to graduate this term, email us and we’ll review your student file. You must contact us by the deadline to register for the ceremony.  

If you’ve received an email invitation, but missed the registration deadline, email us as soon as possible to see if you can still register. 

Ideally, you should know your ring size ahead of the ceremony. The ring is worn on your pinky. 

There are two components to the event. First, bring your printed ticket to the ring sizing and obligation certification, where you’ll receive your ring and a certificate. After that, you can bring your ring to the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer obligation ceremony. Don’t be late for the ceremony. Entrance isn’t allowed after the start.  

You’ll receive your ring during the ring sizing and obligation certification. The time and location of the ring sizing and obligation certification is included in your email invitation. 

As this is a formal occasion, you’re expected to be appropriately dressed.

The use of cameras, cellphones and other recording devices isn’t permitted during the ceremony. 

Unless otherwise specified in your invitation, you can have one guest. Guests don’t need to register, nor be an Obligated Engineer. However, only Obligated Engineers can present you with your Iron Ring. Candidates accompanied by Obligated Engineers can ask the latter to keep the ring for them and to put it on the candidate’s finger at the appropriate time during the ceremony. 

Invitations are extended to engineers who meet the academic requirements for membership in one of the provincial engineering associations and who desire to participate. The invitation is also extended to those who expect to graduate in the near future. Those about to graduate should refrain from wearing their ring until the requirements for graduation are met. If a student fails to obtain their degree, they must return their iron ring.