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Notes to Applicants

Registration of Registered Professional Engineer (Discipline)
Notes to Applicants


1.0 Eligibility for Registration
To help you to check if you are eligible for registration, please consider the following:
1. Do you hold a professional qualification acceptable for registration and have held it for one year?
(Refer to Section 1.1)
2. Have you practised in Hong Kong for one year after having acquired the professional qualification acceptable for registration? (Refer to Section 1.2)
3. Are you ordinarily resident in Hong Kong? (Refer to Section 1.3)
 

1.1 Qualification for Registration
The following are acceptable qualifications for registration: 
a) a professionally qualified engineer with Corporate Membership of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (the HKIE) within a discipline or
b) a qualified Member of a professional body recognized by the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) as having a standard not less than that of a Corporate Member of the HKIE within a discipline.
 

Qualifications acceptable for registration by the ERB include Professional Membership of the following:
 
  • The British Computer Society (BCS) (Note G)
  • The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) (Note I)
  • The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) (Note T)
  • The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Managememt (CIWEM) (Note P)
  • The China Association for Science & Technology (CAST) (Note C)
  • Energy Institute (EI) (Note S)
  • Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) (Note K)
  • The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) (Note L)
  • The Institute of Materials1 (IoM) (Note B)
  • The Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) (Note H)
  • The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
  • The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) (Note V)
  • The Institution of Engineering and Technology2 (IET) (Note D)
  • The Institution of Engineers, Australia3 (Engineers Australia) (Note A)
  • Engineers Ireland4 (Note F)
  • The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) (Note R)
  • Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (IGEM) (Note M)
  • The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) (Note W)
  • The Institution of Mining & Metallurgy1 (IMM) (Note J)
  • Engineering New Zealand5 (ENZ) (Note E)
  • The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) (Note Q)
  • The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) (Note U)
  • The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) (Note N)
  • The Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) (Note O)
 
The ERB recognises Professional Membership of the above professional bodies based upon the reciprocal recognition agreements(RRAs) between the HKIE and these institutions. The following conditions apply to applicants who would like to make use of Professional Membership of these institutions as qualification for registration.
 

General Conditions
(i) Professional Members of the above institutions must have undergone a Professional Assessment/Review which includes an interview by the parent institution. For the Institutions in the United Kingdom, Professional Assessment/Review mentioned in this paragraph must be conducted at the level which would enable the applicants to satisfy the registration requirements for Chartered Engineer.
   
(ii) Applicants for registration who had obtained their professional qualification of the above institutions (with the exception of the Institution of Civil Engineers) by mature route are not considered as having acceptable qualification for registration.
 
(iii) Applies only to Professional Members of the above institutions who have been admitted via normal procedures and do not apply to Professional Members of the above institutions who joined via their own reciprocal recognition agreements.
 
(iv) The ERB may, at its discretion, require an applicant to undergo an interview and/or undertake a written examination of his knowledge of engineering within a discipline. In the circumstances that an interview/ a discipline matching interview is required, the applicant will be asked questions related to his/her competences.
 
(v) The eligibility for holders of above professional qualifications to a particular discipline shall be assessed and allocated by the Engineers Registration Board.
 

Additional Conditions

Notes:
A i) All applications made on and after 12 January 2010 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
 
ii) Applies to Registered Chartered Professional Engineers of the Engineers Australia and Registered National Professional Engineers in Australia.
 
iii) When applicants from Registered Chartered Professional Engineers of the Engineers Australia or Registered National Professional Engineers in Australia wish to apply for registration under the reciprocal recognition agreement between the HKIE and the Engineers Australia, they must fulfill the following:
  (a) Provide a continuing professional development record for the purpose of application; and
  (b) Attend an interview based upon submission of a training and experience report for the purposes of matching the applicant to an engineering discipline as stated in A(iii)(c).
  (c) This Agreement is only applicable to the following engineering disciplines:
   
  • Biomedical
  • Building
  • Building Services
  • Chemical
  • Civil
  • Control, Automation & Instrumentation
  • Electrical
  • Electronics
  • Environmental
  • Fire
  • Gas
  • Geotechnical
  • Information
  • Manufacturing, Industrial & Systems
  • Marine & Naval Architecture
  • Materials
  • Mechanical
B Applies only to materials engineers who are assessed for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration and are registered CEng with the Engineering Council by the IMMM.
   
C i) Limited to Senior Members (Senior Engineers) of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering (CSEE) or Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society (CMES) in the Electrical (ELL), Mechanical (MCL) and Manufacturing, Industrial & Systems (MIS) Disciplines only.
 
  ii) Applicants shall, for a period of at least five continuous years immediately prior to application, have been in a position of significant responsibility in the engineering field.
 
  iii) Applicants must attach a letter of certification from the CAST certifying that they have satisfied the requirements on reciprocal recognition with his Senior Membership (Senior Engineer) with the CSEE or CMES.
 
  iv) Applicants from the mainland who have substantive experience in the mainland should qualify through CAST and on the approval of the CAST, apply for Registered Professional Engineer in the Discipline(s) identified in C(i).
 
  v) The Discipline applied to the applicant shall be subject to allocation by the ERB.
 
D i) Applies to Members of the IET who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through passing Professional Interview of the IET) in the Electrical (ELL), Electronics (ENS), Control, Automation & Instrumentation (CAI), Manufacturing, Industrial & Systems (MIS) and Information (INF) Engineering Disciplines.
 
  ii) Applicants for Registered Professional Engineer shall identify the discipline in which they consider it would be appropriate for them to be registered. Applicants are required to highlight their relevant experience, including duties and responsibilities in a particular project, in the applying discipline in the application. The ERB would then conduct assessment on the applications and if necessary, discipline matching interview might be required. Based upon the outcomes of discipline matching interview, assessors would reserve the right to conduct essay writing test in cases they think appropriate.
   
  iii) All applications made on or after 7 October 2016 shall be subject to the above terms and conditions.
   
E Applies to Chartered Members of Engineering New Zealand (CMEngNZ) who have been qualified through supervised training and have not less than four years of experience; or those who have been qualified through having practical experience of not less than six years. Applicants for Registered Professional Engineers shall identify a Discipline in which they consider it would be relevant for them to be registered. Acceptance to a Discipline, however, be assessed by the ERB. Chartered Members of Engineering New Zealand are not eligible for registration in Structural Discipline.
 
F i) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Professional Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Professional Membership in other jurisdiction first, they must possess relevant working experience in that jurisdiction of not less than 6 months at the time of submitting their applications in order to be eligible to make submissions under this Agreement.
 
ii) Applicants for Registered Professional Engineer shall identify a Discipline in which they consider it would be relevant for them to be registered. Acceptance to a Discipline shall, however, be assessed by the ERB. The assessment will normally include an interview based upon education, training and experience reports for matching of Discipline.
 
G i) Applies to Members of the BCS who are Chartered Engineers (The Chartered Engineers status must be obtained through Membership of the BCS).
 
  ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction should normally apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in the other jurisdiction first, their submission under this Agreement within 12 months after successful granting of Membership by the other jurisdiction may be subject to a review which would consist of any or all of the following:
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
 
H i) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Members in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Members in other jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement shall be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
I i) All applications made on or after 5 October 2004 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii) Applies to Members of the CIBSE who are registered Chartered Engineers.
   
  iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Members in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Members in other jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement shall be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
     
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
J i) All applications made on or after 20 December 2004 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii) Applies to Members of the IMMM in Geotechnical Engineering who are Chartered Engineers (Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through professional assessment by the IMMM.)
   
  iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Members in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Members in the other jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement shall be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
  The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
  iv) Applicants who are Members of the Institute in the jurisdiction where they have obtained their substantive training and experience may be required to submit a report on training and experience and record of continuing professional development for review, and to attend an interview. All applications shall be assessed on an individual basis.
   
K i) All applications made on or after 26 September 2005 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii)
 Applies to Full Members of the HKCS (including Fellows).
   
  iii) Applicants are required to possess all of the following professional formation.
   
 
  (a) An engineering/computing degree in a relevant subject accredited/recognized by the HKIE and the HKCS.
  (b) One of the following experience formation in Information and Communication Technologies/Information System (ICT/IS) work:
    1) A minimum of 8 years post graduation experience for applicants who had been Full Members of HKCS for less than 2 years, or
    2) A minimum of 6 years post graduation experience for applicants who had been Full Members of HKCS for not less than 2 years, or
    3) A minimum of 4 years post graduation experience for applicants who had been Full Members of HKCS for not less than 4 years.
  (c) A period of responsible experience in ICT/IS work for not less than 2 years. This period of experience can be achieved through the period of post graduation experience required in (b).
   
  iv) The ERB shall retain full discretion as to the Registration of any applicants for Registered Professional Engineers. The ERB shall assess each applicant in accordance with his/her individual merits and in cases necessary, conduct an interview in assessing a particular applicant.
   
  v) An applicant from HKCS shall submit a certificate issued by the HKCS to assist the assessment of the application.
   
L i) All applications made on or after 2 June 2006 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii) Applies to Members of the IMarEST who are Marine Engineers or Naval Architects and Chartered Engineers (CEng), or Chartered Marine Engineers (CMarEng) (The Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Membership of the IMarEST).
   
  iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Members in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Members in the other jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
M i) All applications made on or after 7 October 2016 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii) Applies to Corporate Members (Chartered Engineer) of IGEM.
   
  iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership/corresponding Corporate Membership (Chartered Engineer) in that jurisdiction first. If instead, an applicant who obtained his/her substantive training and experience in a region has obtained Membership/corresponding Corporate Membership (Chartered Engineer) (as the case may be) with the Institution of the other region and wishes to apply under this Agreement for Membership/corresponding Corporate Membership (Chartered Engineer) (as the case may be) with the Institution of the first mentioned region, his/her submission shall be subject to a paper assessment to determine the need of a further review, if any, which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development
   
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
N i) All applications made on or after 26 May 2008 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
  ii) Applies to Members of the RINA who are Chartered Engineers (CEng) (The Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Professional Review by the RINA).
   
  iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
O i) Applies to Fellows of the SOE who are registered as Chartered Engineers with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom (the Chartered Engineers status must be obtained through Membership or Fellowship of the SOE) in the Control, Automation & Instrumentation (CAI) and Mechanical (MCL) and Manufacturing, Industrial & Systems (MIS) Engineering Disciplines.
   
  ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for corresponding Membership/ Fellowship in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for corresponding Membership/ Fellowship in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
  iii) Applicants for Registered Professional Engineer shall identify a Discipline in which they consider it would be relevant for them to be registered. Acceptance to a Discipline shall, however, be assessed by the ERB. The assessment shall consist of examination of a report on training and experience, and an interview.
   
  iv) Applicants for Registered Professional Engineer in Mechanical Discipline are required to submit a one-page summary of their experience to demonstrate their abilities in applying engineering theory and principles in engineering practice in the Mechanical Discipline.
 
P i) Applies to Members of the CIWEM who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Professional Review (including interview) by the CIWEM) in the Chemical (CML), Civil (CVL), Environmental (ENV) and Mechanical (MCL) Engineering Disciplines.
 
  ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
 
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
 
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
 
  iii) Applicants for Registered Professional Engineer shall identify the discipline in which they consider it would be appropriate for them to be registered. They are strongly advised to highlight their relevant experience, including duties and responsibilities in a particular project, in the applying discipline in preparing the submission for assessment. Acceptance to a discipline shall, however, be assessed by the ERB. The assessment may include a partial professional assessment consisting of examination of a report on training and experience, and an interview.
 
Q Applies to Members of the IStructE at Chartered Engineer (CEng) level.

The Mutual Recognition Agreement between the HKIE and the IStructE (the Agreement) ceased to exist on 1 January 2012.

Applicants who obtained their MIStructE CEng qualification on or before 31 December 2011 and apply for registration as R.P.E. on and after 1 January 2012 would normally be considered as satisfying Section 12(1)(a)(ii) of the Engineers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 409).

Applicants who obtain their MIStructE CEng qualification after 31 December 2011 would be assessed on an individual basis under Section 12(1)(a)(iii) of the Engineers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 409), taking into consideration the previous conditions that applied in the previous Agreement.

For applicants who have submitted applications in 2011 to sit for the IStructE Examination in 2012, they would normally be considered as satisfying Section 12(1)(a)(ii) or 12(1)(a)(iii) of the Engineers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 409) for the purpose of application for registration if they pass the examination and meet all requirements for CEng.
   
R i) Applies to Members of the IFE who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Professional Review by the IFE).
   
  ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement shall be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
 
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
    The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
S
(i) Applies to Members of the EI who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Membership of the EI).
   
(ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement shall be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
     
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
  The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
T
(i) Applies to Members of the CIHT who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through Professional Review of the CIHT) in the Civil (CVL) and Logistics & Transportation (LTE) Engineering Disciplines.
   
(ii) Applicants shall identify the discipline in which they consider it would be appropriate for them to be enrolled. Acceptance to a discipline shall, however, be assessed by the ERB. The assessment may include a partial professional assessment consisting of examination of a report on training and experience, and an interview.
   
U
(i) Applies to Members of the RAeS who are Chartered Engineers (the Chartered Engineer status must be obtained through passing Professional Interview of the RAeS).
   
(ii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
     
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
  The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
   
V
(i) All applications made on or after 30 April 2016 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
(ii) Applies to Members of the ICE (MICE) qualified as a Chartered Civil Engineer in the Civil (CVL) and Geotechnical (GEL) Engineering Disciplines.
   
(iii) Applicants shall identify the discipline in which they consider it would be appropriate for them to be registered. Applicants are required to highlight their relevant experience, including duties and responsibilities in a particular project, in the applying discipline in the application. The ERB would then conduct assessment on the applications. The ERB would reserve right to undertake further forms of assessment if deemed necessary.
   
W
(i) All applications made on or after 23 March 2018 shall be subject to the following terms and conditions.
   
(ii) Applies to Members of the IMechE (MIMechE) who are professionally registered as Chartered Engineers with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom and who are entitled to the post-nominals CEng MIMechE. The Chartered Engineer status must be obtained / maintained through Membership of the IMechE.
   
(iii) Applicants who have obtained their substantive training and experience in a jurisdiction shall normally apply for Membership in that jurisdiction first. If these applicants wish to apply for Membership in another jurisdiction first, their submissions under this Agreement could be subject to a review which may comprise any or all of the following:
   
  (a) Submission of a training and experience report;
  (b) Interview;
  (c) Essay test;
  (d) Submission of record of continuing professional development.
   
  The ERB has the discretion to determine the extent and scope of the review.
 
Notes:
1 – The Institute of Materials (IoM) and the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy (IMM) have merged and formed the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IMMM) on 10 July 2002.
2 – The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) merged to form the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on 31 March 2006.
3 – The Institution of Engineers Australia is also known as Engineers Australia.
4 – Engineers Ireland is an operating name adopted by the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (IEI) since 2005.
5 – Engineering New Zealand was formerly known as the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) before it changed its name in 2017.
 

Disciplines
With the appropriate professional qualification, you may apply to register in the following disciplines:
Aircraft Biomedical
Building Building Services
Chemical Civil
Control, Automation & Instrumentation Electrical
Electronics Energy
Environmental Fire
Gas Geotechnical
Information Logistics & Transportation
Manufacturing, Industrial & Systems Marine & Naval Architecture
Materials Mechanical
Structural  
 
 
Note: Registration is only available in a relevant discipline
 

1.2 One Year Relevant Post-qualification Professional Experience in Hong Kong
In order to be eligible for registration, you must hold a qualification acceptable for registration and with one-year relevant post-qualification professional experience in Hong Kong.
 

1.3 Residence in Hong Kong
To be eligible to register you are required to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong. A person is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong if he remains in Hong Kong legally, voluntarily and for a settled purpose (such as for education, business, employment or residence), whether of short or long duration.
 
The following guidelines are used for those who have returned to Hong Kong after a period of residence outside Hong Kong: -
   
1. Temporary absence of up to 6 months may not affect registration.
 
2. Engineers returning to Hong Kong who were either registered previously or who were qualified to be registered at the time they left Hong Kong may apply for registration on their return. In general they will qualify for registration, but the Board will exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis taking account of the requirements of particular disciplines and the time spent away from Hong Kong.
 

1.4 Declarations and Undertaking
You must complete and sign the Declaration and Undertaking and should note that the Ordinance provides for heavy penalties for giving false information.
 

2.0 Application Information
 

2.1 How to apply ?
If you are able to comply with the requirements, please complete and submit the application form together with the appropriate fee.
 
If you are not a Member of the HKIE, you are required to present certified true copies of academic and professional qualification certificates (verified by Registered Professional Engineers, HKIE Members or employers) and reference letters from current and previous employers (past five years only) stating the date of attainment of professional qualifications, your positions, employment dates and detailed job descriptions.
 

2.2 How long will it take ?
You should expect the process to take a few months. The process has 3 stages: secretariat checking, review by the Registration Committee and formal approval by the Engineers Registration Board. You will be notified of the outcome by mail. If your application is successful, you will be sent a Registration Certificate valid for one year. All registrations commence on the first day of the month following the Board's approval. Annual renewal is essential to maintain registration. After renewal, a new registration certificate in the form of a card will be sent to a R.P.E.
 

2.3 Payment
All applicants for R.P.E. should attach a cheque for the application fee and the first annual registration fee. Details of the fees are enclosed in the attached sheet.
 

2.4 Can another discipline be added later ?
If you want to apply for registration in an additional discipline, you will need to apply again and pay the fee. Following approval a new registration certificate showing the additional discipline with the current registered discipline(s) will be issued and the new certificate will be valid for one year from the date of registration of the additional discipline.
 

2.5 How to renew ?
Three months before your registration is due for renewal, notification of renewal will be mailed to your registered address. Normally, no renewal notices will be sent to R.P.E. with overseas addresses.
 
If you fail to renew your registration by the due date, you will cease to be a Registered Professional Engineer. However, if late renewal is received within three months of the due date for renewal, your registration will be reinstated for the remainder of the original renewal period following receipt of payment of the renewal fee. If the registration has expired for more than three months, a fresh application for registration will have to be submitted.
 
If you require further information, please contact the ERB (Tel: 2895 4446, Fax: 2882 8402, Email at erb@hkie.org.hk).
 

3.0 Engineers Registration Ordinance 1990
The Engineers Registration Ordinance was enacted into law on 2 May 1990 to establish the professional status of engineers practising in various disciplines, and to safeguard the rights of the consumer public. You are advised to familiarize yourself with the contents of the Ordinance as ignorance is not an acceptable defence in a case of failure to comply with the law.
 
Under the Ordinance the registration of engineers is undertaken by the Engineers Registration Board. The Board acts independently and is primarily responsible to the public at large. The Government appoints one member to the Board and liaison between the Board and the Government is through the Development Bureau. All other appointments to the Board are made by the HKIE, which also provides the administration services under the direction of the Board.
 
The concept of registration is to confer on suitable applicants a title, which demonstrates - both to professional engineers and to the public - a high standard of professional training, competence to practise, and a relevant background for working in Hong Kong.
 
A person who is on the register may use the title "Registered Professional Engineer", or "R.P.E.", with reference to the discipline(s). It is an offence for a person to use this title if one is not on the register.
 
Under the Ordinance, the qualification for registration is closely linked with the qualification standard for membership of the HKIE. However, HKIE membership is not a prerequisite for registration. Membership of an engineering body which is accepted by the Board as being of a standard not less than that of a Member of the HKIE within a discipline may also be acceptable, provided that all the conditions stipulated thereon are also met.
 
To qualify for registration an applicant must be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong and must have at least one year relevant post-qualification professional experience in Hong Kong.
 
Registration is required to be renewed annually and all registrants are required to make a written declaration of their current competence to practise, both at first registration and at each renewal of registration.
 
Registration is entirely voluntary. It is emphasized that the register is primarily for the use of the public, to permit them to identify appropriately qualified engineers, either with reference to the register, or by selecting engineers who use the protected title, "R.P.E.".
 
In certain circumstances, the Government, with the safety or well being of the public in mind, may require (by law or other means), or recommend, that certain duties be carried out only by Registered Professional Engineers in appropriate disciplines.
 
In connection with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, all Registered Professional Engineers should be aware that their names, addresses, disciplines and qualifications are recorded on the register and are made available to the public on request in accordance with the provisions in the Engineers Registration Ordinance.

REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

FEES

 
1. Members of the HKIE   HK$
  Application Fee (including first Registration) in one or More disciplines   1000
       
  Registration in additional discipline/s (at a later date)   1000
       
  Annual Renewal of Registration *   600
       
  Assessment fee (including full or partial assessment) **   2200
       
       
2. Applicants who are not members of the HKIE    
  Application Fee (including search fee)   800
       
  First Registration   1000
       
  Registration in additional discipline/s (at a later date)   1000
       
  Annual Renewal of Registration *   600
       
  Assessment fee (including full or partial assessment) **   2200
       
       
3. Replacement Certificates    
  Reissue of certificate   110
       
       
Remark: The above fees are non-refundable.
 
*
 R.P.E.s who renew before the due dates shall get a further discount of HK$50, i.e. only HK$550 is required.
   
**
 Full assessment includes essay writing and interview while partial assessment includes interview only.
   
 
Web Site: http://www.erb.org.hk

Administrative Notes for Processing and Payment of R.P.E. Registration Application and Renewal

1. Fees for R.P.E. application or renewal should be paid by cheque drawn in favour of “Engineers Registration Board” or by cash. Payment by post-dated cheque and by credit card would not be accepted.
   
2. Payment by cheque will be deemed to be effected only when payment is made by the bank upon presentation. The Engineers Registration Board (ERB) accepts no responsibility if the cheque is dishonoured upon presentation
   
3. Application fee for Corporate Members of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) is different from that for non-members. The fee to be paid is to be determined at the date of application, i.e. an applicant needs to pay Corporate Member fee if at the date of application he is a Corporate Member of the HKIE.
   
4. Payment of application fee or renewal fee does not mean the Engineers Registration Board has approved or will approve your application or the application process has been completed.
   
5. In order to get an early bird discount for renewal of registration, the completed renewal form with renewal fee should be delivered by hand in person to and received by the ERB office before the due date (expiry of current registration). If the completed renewal form with renewal fee is delivered by post, the early bird discount will only be applicable if the date of the chop printed by the post office on the envelope is before the due date (expiry of current registration).
   
6. For renewal of R.P.E. registration, the completed renewal form with renewal fee should be addressed to the ERB. The ERB accepts no responsibility for any delay in processing the R.P.E. renewal if the renewal application is not addressed to the ERB.

 

Information on relevant experience in the Structural Discipline in Hong Kong for registration as a R.P.E. in the Structural Discipline

1. Hong Kong experience means that all projects involved by the applicant must be situated in Hong Kong.
   
2. Major structural experience means design of a complete building, bridge, and structures of significant scale such as large retaining walls, water retaining structures, jetties/piers, space frames, pylons, overhead viaducts, falsework for large structures; and excavation and lateral support for deep excavations etc.
   
3. Time spent on design of minor temporary structures, minor structural alterations and additions, and supervision (safety or quality) of structural works on sites will not be fully counted towards the relevant structural experience.
   
4. Project coordination, project and contract management, cost estimations etc. for building developments or other types of projects will not be counted as relevant structural experience.

 

Notes to Applicants for Registration (and Renewal of Registration) as Registered Professional Engineer (R.P.E.)
Relating to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance

1. The intention of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) is to protect a living individual's right to privacy. Any information collected and recorded, whether on computer or manually, in relation to an applicant for registration (and renewal of registration) as a R.P.E. will be subject to regulation by the Ordinance. The Ordinance aims to control the collection, holding, processing and use of personal data. Personal data in these notes shall be referred to as "Data".
 
  
2. From time to time, it is necessary for all applicants to supply the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) in writing with data and of any change to the data after submission of application, in order to help the ERB in maintaining its records. Failure to supply such data may result in an inability of the ERB to process applications for registration and renewal of registration.
 
  
3. The purposes for which data relating to applicants may be used are as follows :-
  • as a basis for processing of R.P.E. registration and renewal of registration applications; and,
  • for administration of the Engineers Registration Ordinance;
   
4. Upon successful registration as a R.P.E., the purposes for which data relating to applicants may be used in addition to the purposes stated in Paragraph 3 above are as follows:-
  • for daily operation of the ERB;
  • for maintenance of R.P.E. records;
  • for verification of R.P.E. registration status by departments of government or statutory bodies and the public;
  • for activities and information relating to the ERB;
  • for activities and information relating to statutory and non-statutory use of R.P.E.;
  • for meeting the requirements to make disclosure under any law binding on the ERB; and,
  • for all other incidental purposes relating to the functions of the ERB.
   
5. All R.P.E.s should be aware that as required by the Engineers Registration Ordinance, their names, addresses, disciplines and qualifications are recorded on the register and are made available to the public on request in accordance with the provisions in the Engineers Registration Ordinance. To facilitate public access to the information contained in the register, the same will be made available on the website of ERB (except addresses) and at the office of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Other data held by the ERB will be kept confidential and safeguarded diligently but the ERB may provide such information to: -
  • any party in connection with the operation of the ERB;
  • any other person under a duty of confidentiality to the ERB; and,
  • any party with which the applicant has or proposes to have dealings.
   
6. ERB intends to use R.P.E.s’ data in direct marketing as follows and ERB requires the R.P.E.’s consent (which includes an indication of no objection) for such purpose:-

(a) the data that may be used by ERB for direct marketing is: name, address and other contact details;

(b) conferences, seminars, workshops, talks, events, trips and social functions may be marketed.

If a R.P.E. does not wish ERB to use his data for use in direct marketing as described above, R.P.E. may exercise his opt-out right by notifying ERB.
   
7. In accordance with the terms of the Ordinance, the applicant has the right to:-
  • check whether the ERB holds data about him and access to such data; and,
  • require the ERB to correct any data relating to him which is inaccurate; and
  • to ascertain the ERB’s policies and practices in relation to the data and be informed of the kind of data held by the ERB.
   
8. For access and correction of data, please address to the Registrar of the ERB, 9/F Island Beverley, No.1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong in writing.