Going out on your own
How to start a geotechnical engineering firm in Ontario
Geotechnical engineers figure out what the ground can carry — investigating soil and rock, designing foundations, and advising on excavation, slopes, and retaining. Almost every building and road needs one, and the work pairs an engineering practice with drilling and field testing.
Geotechnical Engineer at a glance
- Credential
- P.Eng (PEO) — reserved title
- Path in
- Civil/geotechnical degree → EIT → experience → NPPE → P.Eng
- Regulated by
- Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
- Insurance baseline
- Professional liability (E&O); a firm needs a Certificate of Authorization
- Professional body
- Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
You must be licensed first. A practice can only offer geotechnical engineer services to the public once it holds the regulator’s firm authorization, which requires a licensed principal and professional liability insurance. Sort the firm authorization before you take work.
The steps to start your practice
- 1
Get a PEO Certificate of Authorization
A Certificate of Authorization lets your firm offer geotechnical engineering to the public, with professional liability insurance in place — the gate to taking foundation and investigation work as a business.
Certificate of Authorization — PEO ↗ - 2
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.
Full guide: Incorporation - 3
Set up your CRA accounts
Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.
Full guide: CRA Registration - 4
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.
Full guide: Insurance - 5
Stand up your practice operations
Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.
Full guide: Operational Setup
Your launch checklist
The whole page in one list.
- Get a PEO Certificate of Authorization
- Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
- Set up your CRA accounts
- Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
- Stand up your practice operations
Let AEC Stack handle the business side
Incorporation, CRA, insurance, and the operations to run a practice, set up so you can focus on the professional work.
Start your practice