Freelance via Upwork (or similar platform) 18

[rotw]

Hi,
I am considering to take some freelance mechanical engineering jobs in platforms like Upwork or equivalent. I am resident of Canada.

My questions:
- Is it required that I obtain some kind of permit / license from authorities to do freelance job ? FYI, I am not licensed as professional engineer yet. Does it has to do with the nature of the work being performed?
Or does it has to do with the regulations that apply where the client is located?
Can this activity involves "export" and therefore be subject to some restrictions (like US dept. of commerce has) ? Is there something like a "know your customer process" I would need to follow?

- I can call myself professional engineer but in other jurisdictions and that is outside Canada (e.g. use CEng style, etc.) - would this be okay as long as I make it clear in the professional title I am using?

- Is there any kind of fiscal registration do I have to do to freelance? or does this just boil down to me filling my tax return as required (contractor).

Thanks in advance

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[rotw]

Thank you

 

[moltenmetal]

This may be an "engineers forum". The word "professionals" may be used explicitly or flippantly.

I don't care, frankly, either way.

When someone is asking whether or not it is possible to do something which might be considered illegal, i.e. contrary to an Act of parliament or its regulations, my professional responsibility as well as my responsibility as a citizen is to inform them of the potential consequences.

 

[IRstuff]

The creators of the site specifically used "FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS" as a broad-brush term, to minimize excluding people that are not part of the "elite".

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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[CWB1]

When someone is asking whether or not it is possible to do something which might be considered illegal...

The way I read and understand the OP, they are asking what engineering or related niches they can perform work in without a license. Nothing remotely suggested they want to commit a crime (the question suggests quite the opposite) yet here we are with the usual accusations and belittling from "professionals" admittedly trying to bully someone into the guild - rather ironic.

If members of the guild doesn't care for the current legal loopholes then they are more than welcome to push for legislative change to close them. OTOH, folks opposing the guild may use that opportunity to push for the abolishment of the guild. Regardless, the folks getting upset with others who are legally working because they don't agree with the law is simply childish.

 

[moltenmetal]

CWB1: the OP's question was a good one- well worded and not at all asking for counsel about how to break the law, which is precisely why my answer to the OP's question wasn't simply, "Don't do it, because it's illegal"

Instead, my answer gave the nature of the regulations in Canada (answering the question asked). The key piece was as follows- copied and pasted for your convenience:

"You can call yourself out as a "technical specialist" and see what happens. Maybe you'll get lucky. And if you ever end up in a contract dispute or otherwise in contact with the legal system, you'll be totally screwed. Definitely not recommended."

 

[IRstuff]

This is the wording from the California PE Act, which covers consultants.

6747. Exemption – industrial corporations and public utilities
(a) This chapter, except for those provisions that apply to civil engineers and civil engineering, shall not apply to the performance of engineering work by a manufacturing, mining, public utility, research and development, or other industrial corporation, or by employees of that corporation, provided that work is in connection with, or incidental to, the products, systems, or services of that corporation or its affiliates.
(b) For purposes of this section, “employees” also includes consultants, temporary employees, contract employees, and those persons hired pursuant to third-party contracts.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[rotw]

Moltenmetal, CWB1,

Thanks for giving me credit on this. Your understanding is correct.
I can confirm that I am not seeking to break the law.
It was the reason I started the thread at first place: seek to understand my options (if any).

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