What category of registration am I eligible for?
The professional title you are eligible for is dependent on the level of competence you can demonstrate. Academic and vocational qualifications contribute as they demonstrate your level of knowledge and understanding, but you must have working experience at that level.
As an indicator, the underpinning knowledge and understanding requirements are:
- An Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship or other work-based learning programme approved by a Licensed Professional Engineering Institution (PEI)
- Or a qualification, approved by a Licensed PEI, in engineering or construction set at level 3 (or above) in the Qualifications and Credit Framework/National Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland
- Or at level 6 (or above) in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework; or at level 3 (or above) in the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales
- Or equivalent qualifications approved by a Licensed PEI
- An accredited Bachelors or honours degree in engineering or technology
- Or an accredited HNC or HND in engineering or technology (for programmes started before Sept 1999)
- Or an HNC or HND started after Sept 1999 (but before Sept 2010 in the case of the HNC) or a Foundation Degree in engineering or technology, plus appropriate further learning to degree level
- Or an NVQ4 or SVQ4 which has been approved for the purpose by a Licensee or Professional Affiliate, plus appropriate further learning to degree level*
- See the QAA website for Higher Education reference points
- An accredited Bachelors degree with honours in engineering or technology, plus either an appropriate Masters degree or Engineering Doctorate (EngD) accredited by a Licensed PEI, or appropriate further learning to Masters level
- Or an accredited integrated MEng degree
- Typically, someone who has completed an ICT Advanced Apprenticeship or who has other ICT practitioner qualifications at Level 3 (SCQF 6) with appropriate working experience would be considered competent at this level
- Individuals without formal qualifications may also apply for ICTTech registration, by demonstrating they have acquired the necessary competence through substantial working experience. SFIA Level 3 provides descriptions of typical responsibility levels and working relationships that reflect the level of competence required for ICTTech registration.
- For more information visit the SFIA website
Are my qualifications and experience adequate for registration?
The Engineering Council has Licensed Professional Engineering Institutions (PEIs) to assess candidates for registration. You should contact the most appropriate of these. Your chosen Licensed PEI will be able to assess your qualifications, training and experience, and advise you if anything further is required.
The UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment (UK-SPEC) and Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech) Standard also outline the competence and commitment criteria for each of the Engineering Council’s professional titles.
You may also want to look at our course search database.
How do I register?
To register with the Engineering Council as CEng, IEng, EngTech or ICTTech you first need to join one of our Licensed PEI with the relevant agreement. Please note that not all Licensed PEIs cover all categories.
Your Licensed PEI will assess your qualifications, training and experience and let you know if anything further is required. Once you meet the registration criteria and have completed the registration process they will submit a registration form to us on your behalf.
How much is registration and how do I pay?
There are two types of registration fee:
- The entry fee
- The annual registration fee
Amounts vary depending on your level of registration and may be revised annually. Current Engineering Council registration fees are paid via the Licensed PEI you are registered through.
Contact your Licensed PEI for methods of payment.
Please note that you will also have to pay registration fees to join and retain membership of your chosen Licensed PEI. Some surcharge Engineering Council fees.
Do I need to be a member of a Licensee or Professional Affiliate, or can I register directly through the Engineering Council?
The Engineering Council does not offer direct registration. Candidates for registration are required to be in membership of one of the listed Licensed PEI.
Does membership of a Licensee or Professional Affiliate automatically qualify me for registration?
No. Licensed PEIs offer a variety of membership grades. Some grades enable members to apply for registration, others do not, so please make sure your chosen Licensed PEI knows you wish to apply for registration. In addition, you will always need to go through the registration assessment process before being registered with the Engineering Council.
How long does it take to become registered?
This will depend on the length of time required by your Licensed PEI, so please check with them.
However, once your application has been assessed and approved by your Licensed PEI, and sent to the Engineering Council, it will normally be processed within 5 working days of receipt (with the exception of the period mid-December to the end of January when the Register is closed). Once your name has been added to the register, a registration pack is despatched to the address provided by your Licensed PEI.
How can I check on the status of my application for registration?
Please check with your Licensed PEI on the status of your registration. Once they have let you know that your application has been successful and passed to the Engineering Council, it is normally processed within five working days (and possibly longer during the period mid-December to the end of January when the Register is closed).
Upon completion, your registration pack will be posted to you, at the address supplied to your Licensed PEI.
Will I receive a certificate once I’m registered?
Yes, a registration pack, including a certificate is dispatched by the Engineering Council within 10 working days of your name being added to the register.
In what order should post-nominal letters be listed?
The order in which these should be listed is based on the order of precedence and category. There is no universally approved standard practice.
However, the Engineering Council's practice is that the order below should be followed.
- Orders and Decorations conferred by the Crown, i.e. CBE, OBE etc
- University degrees (where more than one, listed in the order of the foundation of the faculty from which they were earned. First degrees should be omitted if a higher degree is shown in the same faculty. However, when the awarding Licensed PEI are listed and the degrees are from different universities, lower degrees are included, e.g. Jo Smith, BA Wales MA London)
- Registrations as practitioners (e.g. EngTech, IEng, CEng, ICTTech)
- Fellowship or membership of learned societies, academies or Licensee or Professional Affiliate (for example FRAeS/MRAeS)
- Membership of the Armed Forces
So, an example would be: Lieutenant A N Other MBE BEng CEng FREng RN.
Certificates are not usually shown but Diplomas may be (inserted after degrees but before practitioner registrations).
This is based on guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice in 2011.
Further information/advice on the order of post-nominals can be found at the following websites:
- University of Oxford Style Guide
- University of Nottingham Style Guide
- Loughborough University Guidance on Post-Nominal Letters
Where do I find my Engineering Council registration number?
This will be on your registration certificate. If you do not have this, please email a request to registration@engc.org.uk and provide the following information:
- Full name
- Date-of-birth
- Licensed PEI membership number
I would like to transfer my membership to another Licensed PEI. How can I do this without losing my Engineering Council registration?
In order to remain on our register, you need to be a member of one of the appropriate Licensed PEI.
Therefore, if you would like to cancel your membership, you will need to transfer your Engineering Council registration to another Licensed PEI first to avoid being removed from the national Register and losing your title.
If you choose to transfer your registration you are advised to do the following:
- Join the new Licensed PEI
- Request to pay your registration fee via the new Licensed PEI
- Once payment has been transferred, resign from your original Licensed PEI
Can you certify my Engineering Council certificate?
No, please contact a Notary Public or Solicitor. However, we can provide confirmation of your registered status in the form of a letter or email if required. You can request this by emailing registration@engc.org.uk.
I am an engineer and have just moved to the UK. Do I need to register in order to work?
Engineers do not require a licence to practise in the UK. However, professional registration would be of great benefit and shows that you meet certain professional standards.
I have gained a qualification outside the UK. Is there a UK equivalent?
Please contact UK-ENIC, the national agency responsible for providing information and advice about how qualifications and skills from overseas compare to the UK's national qualification frameworks. They can compare your qualifications and provide you with simple and officially recognised documents which explain the level of your qualification:
- A letter of comparability: providing information on the comparable level of your qualifications to UK standards
- A career path report: an in-depth report describing one of your qualifications and the education system in which you studied
UK-ENIC letters of comparability are useful when applying for jobs in the UK as they provide clear indicators of your education level in UK terms. These letters do not, however, provide exemption from elements of the registration process, although some Licensed PEIs do use them as part of their assessment.
UK-ENIC can be contacted via their website or by telephone at +44 (0)330 912 0030.
I am a member of more than one Licensed PEI; will I receive an Engineering Council certificate for the additional Licensed PEI?
If you are a member of more than one Licensed PEI, this is known as an additional membership.
Additional memberships exist where the registrant has been awarded their title by two separate Licensed PEIs. The Engineering Council only issues one certificate on initial registration.
However, secondary certificates can be purchased using the certificate order form in our Shop (link below).
How do I order an Engineering Council card?
The Engineering Council no longer issues registration cards, but many Licensed PEIs do, so please check with yours. However, there are other products available, such as registrant ties, lapel pins and professional stamps.