FAQ

Q: Where and when do the Obligation ceremonies take place?

The ceremonies only take place once a year. The next ceremonies will be:

Ceremony Location Date
2025 University of Toronto Undergrad Students John W.H Bassett Theatre – MTCC Saturday, March 15, 2025#518 – 10:00 a.m.
2023 Toronto Metropolitan University Undergrad Students John W.H Bassett Theatre – MTCC Saturday, March 15, 2025#519 – 1:00 p.m.
2023 York University Undergrad Students John W.H Bassett Theatre – MTCC Thursday, March 6, 2025#517 – 6:30 p.m.
2023 Ontario Tech University Undergrad Students John W.H Bassett Theatre – MTCC Saturday, March 15, 2025#519 – 1:00pm
2023 Senior Candidates To Be Confirmed

Thursday, November 13, 2025

#520 – 7:00 p.m. 

Q:  What is the appropriate attire or Dress Code for the Ceremony?

The Camp One Dress Code is intended to maintain the standards and traditions of the Ceremony. Participants are strongly encouraged to embrace the spirit and intent of the Dress Code.

THE DRESS CODE REQUIRES A BUSINESS SUIT OR SPORTS JACKET / BLAZER OR ATTIRE OF EQUAL BUSINESS FORMALITY

Examples of unacceptable attire include jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, mini-skirts, cargo or sweat pants, sweat shirts, windbreakers, athletic shoes or any ripped, frayed or distressed clothing.

Camp 1 reserves the right to refuse entry to those who are not in compliance with this Dress Code.

Q: I would like to apply to take the Obligation and get an Iron Ring. How do I do this?

If you graduated from either a master’s engineering program or an engineering program outside of Canada, you must attend an Obligation Ceremony as a ‘senior’ candidate.  If you did not attend a ceremony at the time of your graduation from an accredited undergraduate engineering program in Canada, please contact your engineering department to arrange to attend an Obligation Ceremony as a ‘senior’ candidate.

You will need to demonstrate that you have met the academic requirements for engineers in Canada by providing evidence of licensure as a Professional Engineer with a provincial engineering licensing body. Your registration number is required for this purpose.

If you are registered as an Engineer in Training (EIT) with a provincial engineering licensing body, you will need to contact the Registrar’s office of the licensing body to obtain a letter stating that the academic requirements of an accredited undergraduate engineering program have been met. You will have to send this letter to us under separate cover after completing your application.

Please visit your local jewellery store to determine the correct ring size for the ‘pinky’ finger of your working hand.

To apply to attend a ceremony as a senior candidate, please complete the online Application Form. The cost for the application is $50 including HST.

Q: I completed my Masters or PhD in engineering.  Can I apply to take the obligation and get an iron ring?

Participants in an Obligation ceremony must meet the academic requirements of an accredited undergraduate engineering program. You will need to demonstrate that you have met the educational requirements for engineers in Canada by providing evidence of licensure as a Professional Engineer with a provincial engineering licensing body. Your registration number is required for this purpose.

Q: When is the deadline to apply to attend an Obligation ceremony as a ‘senior’ candidate?

Your application must be submitted using the on-line application together with payment between April 1st and June 30th for the senior ceremony to be held in the fall. Candidates will receive a response in August or September.

Q: Can I invite a guest to the Obligation Ceremony to present my ring to me?

Yes, but invited Ring Presenters must be obligated engineers (and wearing their iron ring on the day of the ceremony) and have at least four years experience since graduation in order to be eligible to present a ring to another candidate.

Family members acting as invited Ring Presenters must meet the requirements noted above. Professors and other members of the university teaching staff cannot act as Ring Presenters to their own students (unless they are a relative of the student. e.g. parent, grandparent, spouse, etc.) AND meet the requirement for invited Ring Presenters noted above.

The provisions noted here are required to ensure a mentor-candidate relationship between the Ring Presenter and candidate. Only one guest per attendee is permitted due to space limitations.

Q: I’ve lost my iron ring. What is the process to get it replaced?

Fill out the online Ring Replacement Form.  Note that you cannot order a ring online unless you have previously attended an Obligation Ceremony.

Replacements will not be processed without payment. After you complete the form, you will be prompted for payment using a credit card. The cost is $35, which includes shipping and HST.

Applicants 80 years of age or older may replace a lost ring at no charge. Please do not apply online; instead, contact the Camp Office at (416) 946-3281.

Q: I’m not sure I have my original Obligation Certificate. Will the small oath card, my PEO membership, or a copy of my degree suffice?

No. Your unique Obligation Number is required as proof that you have attended a ceremony. The Obligation Number can only be found on your Obligation Certificate. We can look up your obligation number if you have lost your certificate. The Obligation Certificate would have been granted to you after the ceremony, and will be an approximate size of 8.5 x 11 and titled “The Ritual of the Calling of An Engineer”. It will be signed by the Camp Secretary, yourself, and will hold your unique Obligation Number. If you have lost your Certificate and would like to have it replaced, please contact your Camp. Only your original Camp can replace your Obligation Certificate.

Q: Can I replace someone’s Iron Ring for them as a surprise?

No. Only an obligated engineer may replace his/her own ring.

Q: Can I send someone to pick up my Iron Ring?

No.  We will mail the ring to you as described elsewhere on this site.

Q: How do I exchange my ring if it no longer fits or is damaged?

We will exchange your existing ring by mail at no charge.  Please visit a jeweler to have your finger professionally measured to ensure the best fit.  Mail your ring with your name, full mailing address and correct ring size to:

Camp 1, 55 St. George Street, Suite 670, Toronto, M5S 0C9.

Upon receipt of your ring, we will immediately mail you a new one.

Q: I would like to exchange my ring, but I want to keep my old ring. Can I do that?

The camp does not allow obligated engineers to own more than one ring. If you would like to exchange your ring, you must relinquish the one that you have.

Q: I don’t know my size, do you have it on record?

We do not have the ring size for all candidates on record, and we cannot rely on the ones we have, as your ring size may have changed.  Please visit a jewellery store and ask them to size the ‘pinky’ finger of your working hand (there should not be a charge).

Q: Are there any guidelines for sizing my ring?

Yes, please take note of the following:

  • The ring is worn on the little finger of your working hand (the hand you write with).
  • Your finger’s size will be affected by time of day, temperature, humidity, exercise and other factors. Your fingers tend to swell later in the day.
  • It is best to measure your ring size later in the day, at room temperature. Never measure when your hands are cold; allow them to warm to room temperature.
  • The ring must fit over the knuckle and sit comfortably at the base of the finger. The correct size will require you to twist once or twice to get it off the knuckle; otherwise, your ring will fall off when your hands are wet or cold.
  • If the ring slips easily over your knuckle when removing it, try a half size smaller (we stock rings in half-size increments).
  • If you are not used to wearing a ring, the proper size may feel a bit uncomfortable at first. Please allow two weeks before requesting an alternate size.