How to Choose Validators for Your CBA (and What to Do If You Cannot Find One)

Every CBA example must be verifiable, and that is the validator’s job. Choosing the wrong one — or briefing the right one badly — can stall an otherwise strong P.Eng. application.

Who qualifies as a CBA validator

Requirements vary slightly by association, but the standard profile is: a senior engineer (usually a P.Eng.) with direct, first-hand knowledge of the work you described. Direct supervisors are ideal. Colleagues at the same level are usually not acceptable for technical competencies.

How many validators you need

Most applicants need two to four validators to cover all their examples, because few supervisors observed all four years of your experience. Map each example to a validator before you finalize your story selection — a brilliant example with no available validator is a liability.

How to brief your validators

• Send them the exact text of the examples they will validate — never make them guess.
• Tell them the timeline: associations typically email validators a verification form with a deadline.
• Confirm their current contact details and that they are willing and reachable (vacations and retirements cause real delays).
• Warn them against copy-pasting your text back; assessors flag identical wording.

If you cannot find a validator

Supervisor retired, company dissolved, or you worked internationally? Associations handle this more often than you think. Options typically include an alternative senior colleague, a client-side engineer who oversaw your work, or a statutory-declaration process. Contact your association early and document their guidance in writing.

Validator strategy is built into our Guided 1-on-1 Coaching — story selection and validator guidance are core parts of the sessions. See pricing for details.