Chartered EngineerRegulations for the title of Chartered Engineer by recognition under EU Directive 2005/36/EC

Vision

MissionOur members serve society through

the highest standards of professional

engineering. We seek to improve the

quality of life for all, creating prosperity

and adding value through innovation

and the promotion of health, and

sustainable development.

A world enhanced for all by theacknowledged contribution of the engineering profession.

FOREWORD

Engineers Ireland is the operating title of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland.

Engineers Ireland, founded in 1835, represents all branches of the engineering profession and all categories ofengineering in Ireland.

The fundamental aims of Engineers Ireland are:

• To promote knowledge of engineering and of engineering science,• To establish and maintain standards of engineering education and training,• To promote and provide opportunities for continuing professional development for engineers and

engineering technicians,• To maintain standards of professional ethics and conduct,• To ensure that the Registered Professional Titles of Engineers Ireland are awarded only to appropriately

qualified engineers and technicians.

The Council of Engineers Ireland is empowered to define and protect the use of the title Chartered Engineer underits Charter Amendment Act, 1969 which states:

Chartered members of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland shall be known as “Chartered Engineers” and shallhave the right so to describe themselves and to use after their names the abbreviation “CEng”. Such right shall beconfined to such Chartered members and to persons within the State in respect of whom the Council is satisfiedthat they are authorised to describe themselves as Chartered Engineers by a professional body recognised by theCouncil in that behalf.

Within Ireland, Engineers Ireland is the authoritative voice of the engineering profession on relevant national issues.It makes submissions and representations to Government and official bodies on national policy for infrastructure,budgets, industry, education and the overall development of the Irish economy.

Edition 1: August, 2010

Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

FOREWORD 3

1 THE CHARTERED ENGINEER 6

2 THE FORMATION OF A CHARTERED ENGINEER 7

3 RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL TITLES FROM OTHER EU COUNTRIES 8

APPENDIX 1 DEFINITION OF A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (CHARTERED ENGINEER) 10

APPENDIX 2 GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS 11

Page 5

1 THE CHARTERED ENGINEER

In this section

~ The legal basis to the title Chartered Engineer is explained~ Professional titles for engineers in other countries are described~ The general competences of a Chartered Engineer are summarised~ The designatory letters you can use after your name are given

1.1 In 1969, Oireachtas Éireann granted to Engineers Ireland the statutory power and responsibility forawarding the title of Chartered Engineer (CEng MIEI) to professional engineers.

1.2 The CEng title is recognised internationally as the title to be used by Irish professional engineers and hasthe same status as the professional engineering titles used in other countries. For example, in the US, thetitle Professional Engineer or PE is used, in Japan the title is Registered Engineer or RE, in Australia andNew Zealand the title is Chartered Professional Engineer or CPEng, while the UK uses the title CEng, as we do.

1.3 As a Chartered Engineer (Appendix 1) you will

• Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to optimise theapplication of existing and emerging technology;

• Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of engineering problems;

• Provide technical, commercial and managerial leadership;• Use effective communication and interpersonal skills;• Make a personal commitment to abide by the code of ethics of Engineers Ireland,

recognising obligations to society, the profession and the environment.

1.4 If you are successful you will be entitled to style yourself as a Chartered Engineer and use the designatoryletters CEng MIEI after your name.

Page 6

2 THE FORMATION OF A CHARTERED ENGINEER

In this section

~ The educational standard required of a Chartered Engineer is described~ The competences to be acquired during Initial Professional Development (IPD) are outlined.

2.1 When you completed your accredited honours engineering degree (level 8) programme*, which is theeducational standard in Ireland for Chartered Engineers, you acquired a wide and deep understanding ofthe engineering principles associated with your engineering discipline.

The combined effect of such studies will also have given you the ability to consider engineering problemssystematically and in a logical fashion. This is the first phase in the formation of a Chartered Engineer.

2.2 The European Directive Route to membership results from Engineers Ireland’s obligations under, andopportunities created by the European Directive 2005/36/EC concerning the recognition of professionalqualifications within the EU.

2.3 The second phase is called Initial Professional Development.IPD involves the development of the competences to apply what you learned in your degree, to thesolution of engineering problems. This takes a minimum of four years and involves training, experienceand participation in professional development courses which are appropriate to your career path. You willbe required to demonstrate that you have acquired these competences both in your written submissionsand at interview.

2.4 As a Chartered Engineer you will have acquired certain competences both during your engineering degreestudies and your IPD. The full list of competences and requirements for the formation of a CharteredEngineer may be seen in the Engineers Ireland Regulations for the title of Chartered Engineer.

*see our website for a list of accredited honours engineering degree (level 8) programmes

Page 7

3 RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL TITLES

FROM OTHER EU COUNTRIES

3.1 EU Directives issued in 1989, 1992 and 2005 provide for the mutual recognition of professionalqualifications between EU member states. Provided there are no substantial differences, as defined in theDirectives, between such a qualification and the CEng title, Engineers Ireland will grant this title to holdersof such qualifications.

3.2 The European Directive Route to membership results from Engineers Ireland’s obligations under, andopportunities created by the European Directive 2005/36/EC concerning the recognition of professionalqualifications within the EU.

3.3 It is recommended to applicants applying for recognition of their title by Engineers Ireland under thisroute to familiarise themselves with Directive 2005/36/EC. This can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:255:0022:0142:en:PDF

3.4 It should be noted that the EU Directive does not guarantee automatic recognition in the Host MemberState (in this instance Ireland) as there may be a difference between the formal qualifications andprofessional experience of the applicant and those required by Engineers Ireland (the ‘CompetentAuthority in the Host Member State).

3.5 Applicants are required to complete and submit the application form for the Registered Title of CharteredEngineer under EU Directive 2005/36/EC accompanied by the relevant support documents andapplication fee. A checklist of the requirements is included within the application form.

3.6 The application must be completed in English. The applicant must possess the level of English necessaryto practice as a Chartered Engineer in Ireland.

3.7 Engineers Ireland will confirm that the application is complete when the application has been received infull accompanied by the supporting documentation and the application fee. If the application isincomplete a request for the additional information will be issued. The Directive requires that a decision isawarded within four months of the acknowledgement of receipt of your completed application.

Page 8

3.8 The application form and accompanying support documentation will be used to assess if the applicantmeets the Engineers Ireland requirements in respect of experience and competences. This assessmentwill identify if the applicant has demonstrated the required educational standard and competencerequired for the title of Chartered Engineer. If it is found that there is a substantial difference between theeducational standard and competencies required and those demonstrated by the applicant EngineersIreland may either request further information or offer a compensation measure to the applicant.

3.9 If further information is requested then this request will clearly identify those areas where a deficiency hasbeen identified. If after further review it is judged that a serious deficiency still exists then the applicantshall be offered compensation measures.

3.10 The offer of compensation measures shall request the applicant to make up the identified deficiencies byoffering the choice of either a period of adaptation or an aptitude test. Both will be offered and theapplicant can choose as appropriate. Compensation measures can only be undertaken while resident inIreland.

3.11 Aptitude Test – The Aptitude Test will take place during an interview of maximum 90 minutes where theapplicant will be required to demonstrate the identified deficiencies. The interview will be conducted bytwo Chartered Engineers who are assessors for Engineers Ireland. The interview will take place atEngineers Ireland HQ. There will be a fee charged for this test; details are available from the Fees sectionof our website, www.engineersireland.ie.

3.12 Adaptation Period – An adaptation period of up to three years will be identified to the applicant toachieve the identified deficiencies in their experience, education or competence. This may be in the formof formal education or through a monitored practice of your work. If it is recommended to monitor yourwork then this will be carried out by a nominated Chartered Engineer member of Engineers Ireland. Theappointed assessor will provide a written summary on completion of the adaptation period confirming ifthe applicant has achieved the identified deficiency. There will be a fee charged for this test; details areavailable from the Fees section of our website, www.engineersireland.ie.

Page 9

APPENDIX 1

Definition of a Professional Engineer (Chartered Engineer)

The following is the definition of a professional engineer recognised by the Council of Engineers Ireland for the titleChartered Engineer and is the definition adopted in 1960 by the Conference of Engineering Societies of WesternEurope and the United States of America (EUSEC):

A professional engineer is competent by virtue of his / her fundamental education and training to apply the scientificmethod and outlook to the analysis and solution of engineering problems. He/she is able to assume personal responsibilityfor the development and application of engineering science and knowledge, notably in research, design, construction,manufacturing, superintending, managing and in the education of the engineer. His/her work is predominantly intellectualand varied and not of a routine mental or physical character. It requires the exercise of original thought and judgementand the ability to supervise the technical and administrative work of others.

His/her education will have been such as to make him/her capable of closely and continuously following progress inhis/her branch of engineering science by consulting newly published works on a worldwide basis, assimilating suchinformation and applying it independently. He/she is thus placed in a position to make contributions to the developmentof engineering science or its applications.

His/her education and training will have been such that he/she will have acquired a broad and general appreciation ofthe engineering sciences as well as thorough insight into the special features of his/her own branch. In due time he/shewill be able to give authoritative technical advice and to assume responsibility for the direction of important tasks inhis/her branch.

Page 10

APPENDIX 2

Glossary of Acronyms

IPD Initial Professional Development

CPD Continuing Professional Development

CEng MIEI Chartered Engineer and Ordinary Member of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland

MIEI Ordinary Member of The Institution of Engineers of Ireland

FEANI European Federation of Engineering Professional Bodies

Page 11

Engineers Ireland22 Clyde RoadBallsbridgeDublin 4.Tel: 00 353 1 668 4341/6090234Fax: 00 353 1 668 5508www.engineersireland.ie