So often I am asked whether students need to purchase the PPE or NPPE exam books.  They are definitely not cheap.  You are looking at approximately $250 CAD.  You are also facing a significant amount of reading, in the order of 800 pages. Its easy to see the dilemma.  

An alternative, is to purchase training material such as the study guide's offered at PPE Headquarters.  If one passes the exam without purchasing the materials, then outstanding, a great save of money.  If one fails without purchasing the materials ... its easy to feel like an idiot.  

It's a tough question; however, here are the criteria I utilize to make a solid recommendation.   First let's have a look at the texts in question as they differ for some Associations.

Conflicts of interest are a part of practical professional practice.  They are not something to hide from. and to avoid at all costs.  A conflict of this nature is not like the Goonies character ... shamed and thrown in the basement.  You simply need to handle them in a professional and ethical manner. 

It is important to our profession as engineers and geoscientists to maintain our value to society in the form of competence, trust and protection.  In addition, society also allows us to self regulate our profession, which is a highly regarded freedom.  

In return, and as professionals we must maintain high levels of competence by continually improving skills and knowledge, even soft skills  This is achieved through a continuing professional develop program professional development hours.    

Ultimately you as a professional are solely responsible for improving your competence.  However, your Association has a responsibility to support your efforts.  

Even though most Associations stock the text required for the National Professional Practice Exam, they can also be ordered through Amazon or rented for half the price of purchasing in the form of an online textbook at CourseSmart.   

This text, Practical Law of Architecture, Engineering, and Geoscience, is required reading for the National Professional Practice Exam and thus it is in high demand.

Most Associations stock the texts required for the National Professional Practice Exam and they can be ordered for a similar price to Amazon.  However, PEO does not stock texts for the PEO Professional Practice Exam and most people purchase the textbooks directly through Amazon.  Keep in mind these textbooks can be rented for half the price of purchasing in the form of an online textbook at CourseSmart.   

This text, Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience, is required reading for both the National Professional Practice Exam and the PEO Professional Practice Exam thus it is in high demand.

The Professional Practice Exams have two subjects that are tested: Professional Law and Ethics.  This text covers the Ethical components and the text Law for Professional Engineers addresses the Professional Law component. 

This text was written by Gordon C Andrews and is kept up to date with all legislative changes, so today students are advised to purchase the 5th edition. The book is also helpful to those who want to learn more about the licensing and engineering practices in Canada, in accord to all ethical obligations. Many universities have added Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience—Practice and Ethics on the list of required texts, as it brilliantly complements the Law and Ethics classes.

Not only students can extract valuable information from this title, as the author made sure that it is an interesting and practical reading to engineers and geoscientists alike. It remains the go-to book for those who prepare for the PPE exam, with a full chapter being dedicated to those who plan on taking this test.

Most end up purchasing Marston's text, Law For Professional Engineers, from Amazon.  It is required reading to pass the Professional Practice Exam in Ontario through the Professional Engineers of Ontario.  More commonly called the PEO PPE.  Be sure to double check that you are purchasing the latest edition which at the time of this writing is the fourth.  Also note these textbooks can be rented for half the price of purchasing in the form of an online textbook at CourseSmart.  

The Professional Engineer Stamp is super cool, and they have been around for a long time.  I purchased one soon after passing my exam and wish I used it more.