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International Professional Engineer (IntPE) Register

This Register is governed by the Engineers' Mobility Forum, which consists of the national engineering organisations of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA. FEANI has observer status.

Entry to the Register, which began operation in 2002 - the UK section of the Register opened on 1st October 2002 - is open to engineers who:

  • have been assessed within their own economy as eligible for independent practice
  • have an academic qualification equivalent to an accredited degree
  • have seven years post-graduation experience
  • have spent at least two years in responsible charge of significant engineering work
  • are maintaining relevant continuing professional development at a satisfactory level

UK-Registered Engineers

Admission to the UK Section of the Register is open to Chartered Engineers who meet the above criteria. UK applications should be made through your member Institution. Although not providing, at this time, mutual recognition of professional title the signatories are committed to making easier the admittance to National Registers of incoming engineers who are on the IntPE Register.

ECUK regrets that, at this time, it is unable to receive applications from Chartered Engineers that have achieved this status through the Mature Candidate Route, Career Appraisal Route, or the Senior Route. Whilst, ECUK recognises the competency of these engineers, the International Register of Professional Engineers Agreement does not yet accept applicants through what our partners in the Agreement would consider 'competency routes'. ECUK is hopeful that this situation will change although this is likely to take a significant period of time.

Application and Fees

UK-registered engineers wishing to register on the International Register of Professional Engineers can download an application form (available for download on the right) or contact the membership department of their UK Chartered Engineering Institution for application forms. All applicants should read the guidance notes (available for download on the right) before completing the application form. All applications should be made through the applicant's member Institution. Registration fees are at present £90, renewable every five years at a fee of £25. (Cheques should made payable to the institution)

Incoming Engineers

The engineering profession in the United Kingdom is regulated by the ECUK through 36 engineering Institutions who are licensed to put suitably qualified members on the ECUK's Register of Engineers. The Register has three sections: Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician. These titles are protected by the ECUK's Royal Charter and may only be used by Registrants.

In general there is no restriction on the right to practice as an engineer in the UK. Registration, which is renewable annually on payment of a fee and provided that there has been no violation of codes of professional conduct, is recognised as desirable in many fields of engineering employment and provision of engineering services but is not mandatory. There are a small number of areas of work, generally safety related, which are reserved by Statute to licensed or otherwise approved persons.

Licensed engineers, of whom there are only small numbers, will normally be subject to an assessment of their competence to work in a prescribed area at regular intervals. The reserved areas of work include:

  • Reservoir Design and Inspection
  • Ships Officers
  • Quarry Management
  • Aircraft Maintenance
  • Gas Fitting
  • Railway Signalling
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Pressure Vessel Design

All candidates for Registration as professional engineers must satisfy the competence standards set by the ECUK and be members of the appropriate licensed engineering Institution. Applicants must show that they have a satisfactory educational base, have undergone approved post graduation professional development, and, at interview, must demonstrate their professional competence against specific criteria.

In recognition of the professional standing of IntPE applications by them for Chartered Engineer title in the UK will be favourably considered. Currently the streamlining offered is minimal scrutiny of academic qualification and of professional development and the structuring of the interview to concentrate on competence to operate within a UK professional environment rather than assessment of general competence.

IntPE's may apply to be registered as Chartered Engineers by contacting the ECUK who will provide information on the Institutions to enable the applicant to choose appropriately. Applicants will be required to submit the following:

  • Detailed curriculum vitae of experience since graduation, indicating the levels of responsibility held
  • Record of current continuing professional development
  • Evidence of registration on the IntPE (confirmation may be sought)
  • References from two persons who have a personal knowledge of the candidate's competence as a professional engineer

List of Signatories