Engineering Council

The engineering profession in the UK is self-regulated through the use of the legally protected titles Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech). These titles may only be used by individuals who are registered with the Engineering Council.

Individuals admitted to the register must have been individually assessed by and maintain membership of one of the professional engineering institutions licensed for this purpose by the Engineering Council.

In general there is no restriction on the right to practise as an engineer in the UK.  However some areas of work, generally safety related, are reserved by statute, regulation or industry standards to licensed or otherwise approved persons. These areas of work include:

• Aircraft Maintenance (EASA Part 66, Annex III to European Commission Regulation 2042/2003)
• Electrical Safety in Buildings (Building Regulations Part P)
• Gas Fitting (Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998, Gas Safe Register)
• Non-destructive Testing (ISO 9712: 2012 Non-destructive testing – Qualification and certification of NDT; Personnel Certification in Non-destructive testing PCN)
• Pressure Vessel Design (The Simple Pressure Vessel (Safety) Regulations 1991)
• Quarry Management (The Quarries Regulations 1999, Health & Safety Executive)
• Railway Signalling (IRSE Licensing Scheme)
• Reservoir Design and Inspection (Reservoirs Act 1975, Environment Agency)
• Ships Officers (The Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) (Amendment) Regulations 1998, Maritime and Coastguard Agency)
• Vehicle Maintenance (DVSA Authorised Examiner)
• Inspection and Maintenance of Highways Structures (The Highways Agency Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Volume 3 Highway Structures: Inspection and Maintenance)
• Structural Engineers Register Scotland (The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 Structural Engineers Register)
• Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011
• Road Tunnel Safety Regulations 2007
• Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015
• Higher-Risk Buildings (Building Safety Act 2022)

UK legislation can be searched at www.legislation.gov.uk/search

Engineering Council registration is recognised as desirable in many fields of engineering employment and for provision of engineering services but is not mandatory. Registration is renewable annually on payment of a registration and membership fee to the relevant institution, providing there has been no violation of codes of professional conduct.