Iron Ring

The Iron Ring may be worn on the little finger of the working hand by any engineer who has been obligated at an authorized ceremony of the Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer. The ring symbolizes the pride that engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer’s obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct.

You must attend The Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer Obligation Ceremony in order to receive an Iron Ring.

IMPORTANT: Fourth-year students must attend a mandatory virtual information session that outlines the details and registration process to attend the ceremony.

MANDATORY: Virtual Iron Ring Information Sessions

IMPORTANT: Fourth-year students must attend a mandatory virtual information session that outlines the details and registration process to attend the ceremony.

Virtual Information Sessions will be available between: January 24 - 31, 2025

Iron Ring Student Registration

To register to attend the Iron Ring Obligation Ceremony, you must be an eligible undergraduate engineering student (fourth-year or fourth-year + PEY) and are on track to graduate in June 2025. Master’s and PhD students are not eligible. There are absolutely no exceptions to this requirement.

Registration Opens: February 2, 2025

Registration Closes: February 18, 2025

Need to replace a lost ring?

Complete the form on the Camp One Iron Ring website. Be sure to visit your local jewellery store to determine the correct ring size. Ring replacement costs $30. Applicants 80 years of age or older may replace a lost ring at no charge, by calling Jane Ross at 416-946-3281.

Apply to take the obligation

If you graduated from an engineering program outside of Canada, or did not attend a ceremony at the time of your graduation from an accredited engineering program in Canada, you must attend an Obligation Ceremony as a “senior” candidate. In order to be invited to a ceremony, an application must be submitted together with payment between April 1 and June 30. Candidates will receive a response in August or September. The Senior Ceremony will be held in November.

Visit the Camp One Iron Ring website to apply.

Please direct all questions and concerns to:

Jane Ross
Administrative Officer, Camp One Iron Ring
info@camp1.ca
416-946-3281

Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer Obligation Ceremony

To register to attend the Iron Ring Obligation Ceremony, you must be an eligible undergraduate engineering student (fourth-year or fourth-year + PEY) and are on track to graduate in June 2024. Master’s and PhD students are not eligible. There are absolutely no exceptions to this requirement.

Date: March 15, 2025
Time: 10am
Location: John Bassett Theatre, 255 Front Street, Toronto ON M5V 2W6

Any student unable to participate in the March 15^th ceremony at 10am will be accommodated at the March 6^th ceremony at 6:30 PM. Please contact ironring@engineering.utoronto.ca for additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where and when do the Obligation Ceremonies take place?

The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineering takes place once a year. In 2025, the Obligation ceremony for U of T Engineering undergraduates will take place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the John Bassett Theatre. Additional details regarding your ceremony will be indicated on an email invitation through our registration portal. Please note: if you are late for your ceremony, you will not be admitted.

How to I sign up for the Obligation Ceremony?

Who can register for the Obligation Ceremony?

What if I am a master's or PhD graduate?

Master's and PhD students must first register with a provincial licencing body. You will need to demonstrate that you have met the academic requirements as an Engineering in Training (EIT) at the very minimum. Subsequently, you may apply to attend as a senior candidate, which takes place once a year in October/November. The application process is open from April 1 to June 30 and the application form is available only via the website at camp1.ca. The registration number from your licensing body will be a requirement of the application. Additional information regarding this application process is available on the website. The cost for the application is $50 including HST.

I received my degree from another country. Can I apply to take the Obligation and get an Iron Ring?

Can I get an Iron Ring in March if I am graduating in December?

Is it mandatory to attend an Obligation Ceremony?

Do all engineers have to wear the ring?

Can I have an invited ring presenter at 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.

Can I invite a guest to the Obligation Ceremony?

What is the dress code?

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.

GUIDELINES:

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.

Can I get the ring without going to the Ceremony?

No. The Obligation ceremony is about an engineer’s personal obligation to uphold the ideals of engineering. The ceremony was designed such that engineers wishing to be obligated would do so “in the presence of my betters and my equals” (to quote from the obligation). Candidates must take the obligation in the presence of senior engineers and fellow candidates. The Iron Ring serves as a reminder of the obligation which you have taken. To give the ring without having participated in the obligation ceremony would nullify the meaning of the obligation.

Are there any guidelines for sizing my ring?

Yes, please take note of the following:

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.
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.

Can I change my ring size after I register?

What if I can’t attend the University of Toronto Obligation Ceremony?

I'm an obligated engineer and I've lost my ring. How do I replace it?