For those who wish to apply for a registered professional title such as chartered engineer, associate engineer, or engineering technician, this guide will answer some of your questions, offer tips and set you in the right direction.

How can I apply for the title ‘chartered engineer’?
In order to apply for the title chartered engineer, you must be an active member of Engineers Ireland. Chartered engineer applications are assessed in two phases: Phase 1 (educational requirements) and Phase 2 (initial professional development). You cannot progress to Phase 2 until you have successfully passed Phase 1. The chartered engineer application process is detailed in the regulations. Members who meet the Phase 1 requirements can now apply using the five-step online application process.

My qualification does not meet the educational standard required to apply for the title ‘charterd engineer’, but I have many years of experience and very strong engineering skills
At Engineers Ireland, we understand that each individual situation is different and we value the competences and skills gained throughout an Engineer’s career. Phase 1 of the chartered engineer’s regulations details the assessment routes (A, B and experiential learning) available to our members in order to apply for the title chartered engineer.

When is the deadline for registered professional title applications
We have two annual deadlines - the last Friday in January and the last Friday in June. Applications must be received by 5pm close of business on that day and no late applications will be accepted.

I am a technician or engineering technician member – can I apply for the title ‘chartered engineer’?
Technician or engineering technician members must first apply for an assessment for a route to the title associate engineer before they can progress for an assessment for the title chartered engineer. ('Regulations for the registered professional title of Chartered Engineer', page 8). Please email: membership@engineersireland.ie.

Application process

"It is important that you understand the current requirements for becoming a chartered engineer," says Damien Owens, registrar, Engineers Ireland.

"You should be absolutely confident that you meet the educational standard, have the requisite professional engineering experience and have acquired the five competences listed in the Chartered Engineer Phase 2 documentation before making your application."

Please ensure that you read the full regulations for the registered professional title of chartered engineer carefully when preparing your application.

If you do have questions or queries at any stage of the application process, please contact our membership team: Tel. +353 1 665 1334 or, Email: membership@engineersireland.ie.

Competence statements

What is competence? Competence is simply the proven ability to do something effectively. Your professional competence as an engineer is your ability to apply and extend your skills and knowledge of engineering principles to solve non-routine problems in a safe, effective, and ethical way.

The hallmark of a professional engineer is the ability to apply the learning outcomes gained during study to work-based situations. During your professional review, this is assessed as competences.

The European Quality Framework defines competence as "a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes for achieving observable results".

You should review Section 8 of the Regulations before completing this section of your application. Please note that the attributes listed in this section of the regulations are to assist you in your application, you are not obliged to answer all of the questions.

It is quite likely that you will not be able to demonstrate work experience in every area, but you should be able to demonstrate sufficient experience within each of the competences.

Career summary report

This section of your application should expand on the details you have provided in your career summary table, in particular the responsibilities column.

You should describe the responsible experience and training you have undertaken during your initial professional development. You should pay careful attention to identifying your own personal responsibilities throughout the application.

The assessment will not be on how your employer or team delivered services but on your own involvement.

When describing your career, please highlight:

• Your personal contribution and responsibilities;
• The problems you faced;
• The solution(s) you found;
• The engineering judgments you made;
• The impact did your solution(s) or judgments have.

This section should be no more than 2,000 words.

CPD table

This is a sample of the table that will form part of your application. This should be completed in reverse chronological order from current date back. Please list your CPD activities under the headings below.

Ideally your CPD should be a blend of these various types as per the table below. Please expand to give information on each of the activities including why it was important and how you applied/incorporated it into your role.

For information on what constitutes CPD, please see Section Five of these guidance notes. For your application you are required to demonstrate a minimum of five days, or 40 hours, CPD per annum for the two years prior to application for the registered professional title of chartered engineer.

Future development statements

This will form part of your application. It is important to realise that your learning and development will not cease after successful achievement of the registered professional title of chartered engineer.

Instead, it should remain an essential part of your professional career, in line with your commitment to your professional development and the code of ethics. Your future development statement should include an indicative plan for your development over the short, medium, and long term.

Essays

Essay one can be from an engineering subject area of your choice, articulating your professional opinion. Essay two must be chosen from the current list of essay titles on the website.

Please ensure that both essays are a clear articulation of your opinions, arguments, conclusions and analysis. Use phrases like ‘I think’; ‘In my opinion’; or, ‘I found’.

General application tips

• Ensure you submit your application online in time for one of the two annual deadlines.
• Consult with a colleague who has successfully completed the process to read your submission and offer comments.
• Ensure that both of your supporters have given permission to receive your application for review to their email address.
• Ensure that alternative supporters are approved at least two months prior to the deadline.
• CHECK, CHECK and RECHECK, especially spelling, grammar and syntax, as your application will be rejected until the next deadline if these are an issue. And please don't use acronyms without spelling them out first – don't assume other people will know what stand for. So, it's the Health and Safety Authority on first mention, and the HSA thereafter.
• Remember, your application is a perfect example of your achievement of competence four.

Advice before interview

1. Prepare your 10-minute presentation in advance of your interview. This is your 10 minutes to impress, so make sure that it’s not just a summary of your application – your interviewers have already read this. For example, the panel will want to know about significant engineering work you have undertaken, perhaps additional projects which were not included in your application, or an update on a project which was incomplete at the time of submitting your application. You are permitted to use visual aids during your presentation (max A3 size). You can also use a laptop or tablet, however, this should be ready to present when you enter the room, you will not be permitted access to the room in advance of your interview.
2. You are encouraged to practise your presentation in front of others – this will help you demonstrate competence four – communication skills.
3. You should review your application before your interview.
4. You should review the five competences of a chartered engineer to ensure you are fully familiar with what the interviewers will be assessing you against during your interview.
5. Ensure that you arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your interview and check the date.
6. Do you know the venue of your interview? Is there parking, and if so, do you need to pay for it.
7. Don’t forget your photographic identification.
8. Do your research. If you are giving statistics, make sure that they are correct and up to date.
9. Nervousness can make people race through their interview, so concentrate on speaking slowly and pause appropriately.
10. If you disagree with your panel, be persuasive rather than aggressive. Convince them of your point of view. Say that you accept their point of view but that you feel differently and explain why.

Code of Ethics

The backbone of our professional organisation is our Code of Ethics. Every member pledges to adhere to these and should, at all times in their professional practice, be cognisant of their meaning and content.

Membership of Engineers Ireland gives you rights and privileges. In return, you must meet the standards and conduct set by Engineers Ireland in its Code of Ethics. The code applies to all categories of members of Engineers Ireland.

It is the duty of each member to comply with the provisions of the code. The code is divided into four parts:
1.) Relations with colleagues, clients, employers and society in general.
2.) Environmental and social obligations.
3.) Maintenance and development of professional conduct and standards.
4.) Enforcement procedures and disciplinary action.

Download the Code of Ethics booklet.