A chartered engineer is not a job title. Instead, it’s a designation given to engineers of several types and specializations who apply and demonstrate a working relationship with engineering that shows your dedication.
It is a significant title that can improve one’s chances of advancing one’s career, having their work recognized, and achieving a leadership position.
Read on how to become a chartered engineer, the benefits, and tips for ensuring the best chances of receiving the title from an Engineering Council.
All About Chartered Engineers (CEng)
A chartered engineer is an engineer who, through hands-on experience and education, can develop solutions to complex engineering problems. They use both new or existing technologies mixed with creativity to improve old systems or create new ones.
For large and complex engineering projects, they may also have technical accountability for the project, especially if the systems have a significant level of risk.
Essential Facts About Chartered Engineers
- The chartered engineer title is used across multiple industries, including the energy sector.
- Chartered Engineers have years of education and experience
- They tend to be given leadership roles and focus on innovation and creativity
Eligibility to Become a Chartered Engineer
To become a Chartered Engineer (CEng), you must first be a practicing engineer.
Through hands-on experience and education, you must be capable of developing solutions to complex engineering programs. You should use new or existing technologies, combined with creativity, to improve old systems or create new ones.
Demonstrating this knowledge requires showing that you understand education, experience, and skills.
You will need the support of two people, and one of them must already be a chartered engineer.
How To Become a Chartered Engineer
There are four steps to becoming a successful chartered engineer: education, work experience, professional development, and completing an application and interview for the title.
Education
You should have a minimum of a Master’s degree level of education. Either:
- A four-year Master’s of Engineering, architecture, construction and surveying, energy and the environment or robotics.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (or any of the above degree options) plus a Master’s qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related experience combined with proof of learning on the job, including courses and part-time study.
Suppose you don’t have the educational requirements. In that case, you can contact the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) to see what additional qualifications you can pursue.
There may be alternative paths for engineers who obtained their Bachelor’s degree before 1999 or have less education and more experience.
Work Experience and Competence
One thing that differentiates the Chartered Engineer title from other titles is the requirement that you prove you have the experience necessary to uphold it. This is based on work experience and fulfilling the required qualifications.
North American Chartered Engineers are judged against the UK-SPEC, the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment. The UK-SPEC dictates the requirements for gaining status as a CEng.
Work experience must be within the past 4-6 years, showing progressive steps toward gaining more responsibilities and leadership in your field.
Chartered engineers should also be able to use current or developing technology to solve engineering problems. They should be able to use innovation, creativity, and change.
Experience is considered on a case-by-case basis through an application process and interview. You have to show that you are competent and committed to your profession through competence statements.
Competence means acting in a way to solve a problem using the right balance of understanding, knowledge, and skill.
There are five areas of competence and commitment that you have to pass to say you have the necessary experience.
- Professional commitment
- Knowledge and understanding
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Solving engineering problems, including creating design and development strategies
- Management, responsibility, and leadership
Each area is judged from one to four based on the information you submit in your application and based on the career you have had. You give must obtain a certain ratio of scores in order to pass.
Continual Professional Development
One of the most important aspects of CEng is the fact that all titleholders must continue to develop their skills and attend continual professional development courses.
Chartered Engineers always try to improve their professional skills and teach others, seeking out new opportunities to learn more and adapt their skills with new ways of performing their duties.
Opportunities for professional development include workshops, seminars, certifications, conferences, and leadership associations.
If you apply to become a CEng and don’t meet the requirements for that title, the interviewer may suggest that you take the title of Incorporated Engineer (IEng).
Application Process
If you are a new registrant (rather than renewing), you submit your application and pay the required fees, including annual subscription fees.
Regardless of the organization you submit the application to, the steps to being approved for the CEng title are the same.
The reviewer checks your qualifications, invites you to an in-person or virtual interview, depending on your location, and then goes over your work experience with you.
The mandatory interview takes approximately 45 minutes to complete and is the last step before the assessors decide whether to elect you to membership.
Why Should You Become a Chartered Engineer?
Becoming a Chartered Engineer shows your coworkers and employers that you have been professionally assessed in your ability to do your job, that your credentials have been certified, and that you intend to continue professional development, which are requirements for maintaining the title.
“A CEng role can lead to increased earnings, more opportunities for advancement, and leadership openings.”
Building Relationships
Becoming a Chartered Engineer means joining a worldwide organization with members who are all engineers but have different views of what their careers mean to them.
You may feel that design is the most important part, whereas someone in the UK might feel that development is the most critical aspect. You can also use the title to help build working relationships with other generalists and specialists that could be profitable in the future.
If you enjoy developing your leadership skills and helping people, becoming a CEng can allow you to influence and support younger engineers as they grow their careers.
Unlocking New Resources
Chartered Engineer organizations like IMechE and ICE offer online and offline resources and information, which you can access in their databases or through the training and events they hold throughout the year.
Members also receive email updates and have access to an engineering library, a benefit for engineers who work for themselves or don’t have an employer to provide access.
Recognition
The CEng title has some international recognition, labeling you a professional and competent engineer. However, this is not a title anyone can have, and many people apply for it and are not awarded it.
This can lead to increased earnings, more opportunities for advancement, and leadership openings.
Benefits of Having a CEng Title
- The title is globally recognized and considered a mark of excellence in the engineering industry.
- Chartered Engineer can only be given by a select few agencies
- The role gives you opportunities to connect with influential professionals
- Establishes international recognition of your commitment to engineering
- Assist you to continue advancing by giving you opportunities to learn
Keeping Your Chartered Engineer Status
If you decide to pursue a Chartered Engineer title and manage to obtain it, congratulations.
Now that you are a CEng, your Chartered Engineer status will be reassessed every six years to make sure you still meet the minimum requirements to hold the title.
Chartered Engineers need to continually work toward being better in their profession and advancing their role as a CEng.
During the reassessment period, you’ll have to show you can still practice to the minimum standards, that any changes to your practice area are acceptable, and that if you are still working to the same level, you are in a management-focused position.
Assessors will also determine if you have met the requirements for continuous professional development as part of your work development.
Conclusion
Becoming a Chartered Engineer requires a specific level of education, experience, support, and application to an Engineering Council such as IMechE or ICE. You need to have some of the most in-demand skills in the U.S.
Although the application process takes time, it is not guaranteed and may require you to apply more than once before you’re accepted. The recognition that comes with it, however, can be a substantial benefit.
Chartered Engineers have access to more information about their profession, the ability to make even more professional relationships, and the ability to help younger engineers with their careers.
If you’re an engineer or looking to become an engineer, consider pursuing this rewarding professional title and milestone and have your professional experience recognized.
FAQ: How to Become a Chartered Engineer
A few frequently asked questions about becoming a chartered engineer.
How long does it take to become a chartered engineer?
The amount of time it takes varies by state, but for most people, it takes five to eight years to become a licensed chartered engineer.
How much do chartered engineers make in the USA?
Chartered engineers make approximately $125,000 a year, depending on where they live in the United States.
Is chartered status worth it?
Chartered engineers have a greater chance at a higher salary and increased opportunities for career advancement.
