A CPEng, which stands for Chartered Professional Engineer, is an experienced engineer who has gone through an assessment and proven their skills, knowledge, and work experience at an acceptable level. This designation shows that you can deal with complex engineering problems that are highly dependent on expert technical knowledge. Besides that, holding this status requires you to get reassessed a minimum of every six years to main your Chartered credential.
Although a Chartered Professional Engineer has to show New Zealand-specific technical experience, it is a competency mark with global recognition.
Another thing you need to know is that the title of CPEng is a protected title and if you hold this credential registered with the Registration Authority for Chartered Professional Engineers and must stick to a Code of Ethical Conduct.
Over the last some years, the government has been working to make changes to the engineering regulation. In March 2022, Cabinet gave a yes nod to a new licensing regime for engineers who do safety-critical work. However, it will take some years to be fully implemented.
In the meantime, any engineering professional who thinks they want to become a CPEng NZ should apply for assessment, even if they may need to be licensed in the future.
Requirements for chartership:
To become a CPEng, you need:
1. A Washington Accord-recognized qualification (Bachelor of Engineering, Honours). Besides that, you can also show equivalent knowledge instead of that.
2. A positive evaluation as proof of fulfilling the competency standard.
3. Commitment to the CPEng Code of Ethical Conduct.
4. Be reassessed at a minimum of every 6 years for the maintenance of your registration as a Chartered Professional Engineer.
You are not required to become an Engineering New Zealand member to apply.
Assessment:
Before the formal submission of your application, the assessment team experts will tell you to submit your draft application for a member of its assessment team to check. It’s a very important step, as it will provide you with feedback on the ways you may improve your application. Thus, the chances of a successful assessment will increase.
When you have submitted your application online, a peer panel will do the following things:
1. Assessment of your application taking into account international competence standards.
2. Fixing a meeting with you.
3. Contacting you for further information.
4. Getting feedback from your referees.
5. Preparation of a report with recommendations to the Competence Assessment Board (CAB).
