CONSULTATIVE PAPER ( Working draft : 11 August 2002)
THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGISTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Joint Structural Division of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering and the
Institution of Structural Engineers
1
Introduction
Structural engineering is the science and art of designing and making, with economy and
elegance, buildings, bridges, frameworks, and other similar structures so that they can safely
resist the forces to which they may be subjected. A structural engineer is accordingly a
person who practices structural engineering. His work as such may include:







Design (initiating ideas, feasibility analysis, technical supervision, safety of finished
structures, converting an architect's visions into functional reality and the like).
Management of projects, personnel, finances, materials and production.
Construction.
Maintenance, and ultimately demolition.
Risk assessment for public protection, defining and maintaining safety standards and
the carrying out of structural integrity assessments.
Acting in a "watchdog" role by ensuring compliance with National Building
Regulations, planning and safety legislation.
Research and teaching
Structural engineers are responsible for applying engineering principles to ensure that loss of
life and damage to property during the lifetime of a structure due to the instability or lack of
strength, serviceability or durability of a structure or part thereof is within acceptable and legal
limits. Structural engineers need to provide safe and effective solutions with a high degree of
certainty to demanding structural requirements where the constraints are often complex and
sometimes conflicting.
The tasks associated with structural engineering vary in complexity. Accordingly different
skills are required for different tasks.
2
Building safety
Section 24 of the Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
states that “everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or
well-being”. The modern habitat i.e. the buildings in which people live, is an integral part of the
environment and, as such, needs to be safe. The regulations issued in terms of the National
Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977) give effect to this right in a
wide range of structures which are constructed for the accommodation, occupation or
convenience of people including places of work and storage, tanks, reservoirs, bridges and
the like. The Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act (Act 95 of 1998) reinforces this
right in residential structures. The National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) gives effect to this right
in terms of dam construction.
The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977) prohibits
persons from erecting buildings without prior written approval from a local authority; requires
local authorities to appoint building control officers to exercise powers and duties assigned to
such persons and to issue certificates of occupancies; and empowers local authorities to evict
owners of buildings, or any person having an interest in a building, who occupy the building in
the absence of the aforementioned certificate. The regulations to the Act provide functional
requirements relating to health and safety while SABS 0400 (the application of the National
Building Regulations) interprets such requirements.
1
Structural safety requirements currently can be satisfied in terms of the National Building
Regulations by adhering to deemed-to-satisfy rules, the preparing of a rational design by a
professional engineer or other approved competent person or through Agrément certification.
The provisions of the National Building Regulations in effect “licence” professional engineers
or other persons approved by the local authority to self certify their work. Local authorities are,
however, often, due to capacity constraints, not in a position to exercise this discretion and
often resort to the acceptance of only a professionally registered person with the Engineering
Council of South Africa.
Law makers have in the Housing Consumers Protection measures Act and the National
Water Act recognised that professional registration may not be a sufficient credential for
determining competence and have accordingly given those responsible for implementing
these acts the final say as to whose credentials are acceptable, subject to such persons
being registered persons. (The Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act permits the
NHBRC to keep a record of competent persons and to approve such persons. The National
Water Act permits the minister to approve competent persons.)
3
Current controls
The engineering profession in South Africa is regulated through registration. Registration is
linked to the attainment of prescribed tertiary education levels at accredited institutions and
experience in an acceptable work environment for a period of time prior to registration 1.
Registered engineers are bound by a code of ethics that prohibits them from assuming
responsibility for work for which they are not competent to perform and requires them to place
public safety above all else. Breaches in these code of ethics may result in an appropriate
sanction including deregistration.
In South Africa, the Engineering Professions Act (Act 46 of 2000) makes provision for
qualified engineers to be registered in one of four categories:




Professional Engineer;
Professional Engineering Technologist;
Professional Certificated Engineer; and
Professional Engineering Technician.
There is an argument for accepting registered persons as being competent to perform work
as in terms of the code of ethics they may only undertake work that they are competent to
perform. This approach relies on the integrity of engineers and regulates registered engineers
in a reactive manner – when things go wrong, the public has legal recourse against the
actions of an engineer.2
1
Professional registration is, in the main, currently linked to the attainment of prescribed tertiary education levels at
accredited institutions and experience in an acceptable work environment for a period of time prior to registration.
The tacit assumption that is made in this approach is that a registered person is competent to do engineering work by
virtue of his training and experience. This system works well where there is no overlap in the tertiary education of
professional persons but tends to fall down in the field of civil engineering where most tertiary institutions include very
basic courses in engineering materials and structural analysis and design in a civil engineering qualification. Civil
engineers frequently erroneously assume that they are competent to perform structural work on the basis of their
tertiary education. This may be true in the design of the most elementary of structural elements. There is, however,
much more to the design of structures than the design of individual members under tutorial conditions. Competence
in design needs to be acquired through the design of real life structures comprising a number of elements and their
associated connections under the action of all foreseeable loads which a structure is likely to be subjected to in its
lifetime, taking account of the soil / structure interaction and probable ground movement, preferably under the
direction and guidance of an experienced structural engineer.
2
Competent persons in terms of the Housing Consumer Protection Measures Act are required to have an
appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance. The conditions attached to registration with ECSA are silent on
this subject and as a result, the public has little protection from defaulters of the code of conduct. ECSA should
amend the current code of conduct to reflect that which is in the public interest on this matter, namely require that
registered persons offering advice should have Professional Indemnity cover and if they don’t, they should so inform
their client before accepting a commission.
2
4
Recent trends in structural safety
A Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) in the United Kingdom, established by
the Health and Safety Executive, ICE and IStructE, is tasked with giving warnings where
unacceptable risk is believed to exist. The findings of its thirteenth report highlights a number
of issues which South African society needs to heed, given the Constitutional imperatives for
safety in buildings, viz:

The control of risks to structural safety depends primarily on the competence and
integrity of individuals and organisations.
The possibility that individuals or
organisations might not be competent, or that their competence might be affected by
commercial or other pressures is a risk to structural safety and needs to be
controlled.

The certification of structural safety-related work should be entrusted only to
appropriately qualified and experienced engineers.
In South Africa, due to time pressures to address new aspects of civil engineering, tertiary
institutions are spending less time on the teaching of the fundamentals of structural
engineering. At the same time public institutions and large firms of consulting engineers which
traditionally recruited many newly qualified engineers and turned them into structural
engineers under the mentorship of seasoned and experienced structural engineers, either no
longer do so or do so with very limited numbers.
In the light of international trends for engineers to demonstrate their competence and the
decline in the training of structural engineers, it is necessary to rethink the approach to
structural safety. Sole reliance on a reactive approach to the regulation of structural safety is
probably no longer appropriate. A proactive approach needs to be pursued in conjunction with
an reactive one.
5
Defining a Structural Engineer in terms of the South African Qualifications
Framework
The Joint Structural Division of SAICE, in seeking to address this problem during 2000,
examined the Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE) core objectives for Initial
Professional Development and their written examinations for admission as a corporate
member in the light of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) provided for in terms of
the South African Qualifications Act (Act 58 of 1995) 3. It was noted that qualifications and
standards registered on the NQF are described in terms of the learning outcomes that the
qualifying learner is expected to have demonstrated. The Structural Division prepared the
following unit standard for Structural Engineering based on the IStructE core objectives for
Initial Professional Development and an in depth examination of past admission examination
papers for corporate membership:
Outcome 1 :Communicate the environment within which structural engineering is
practised.
Assessment criteria

Professional bodies associated with structural engineering are described.
3
The approach adopted in the South African Qualifications Authority is consistent with international best practice.
Some of the terms may, however, be described differently in other countries. For example, the Australian Institute of
Engineers’ handbook for Applicants for Chartered Professional Engineer and registration on the National Engineers
Register states that competency is the ability to perform activities within an occupation to standards expected and
recognised by employers and the community. Competencies are expressed in terms of Units, Elements and
Performance Criteria. The Unit title describes a particular area of performance, eg Engineering Practice. The
Elements are the necessary components or activities which make up a Unit of Competency. Each Element has a set
of Performance Criteria which provide a guide to the level of observable performance required of that Element. The
Performance Criteria allow both the candidate and the assessor to make a judgement on whether the Competency
Element has been achieved.
3

Codes of conduct regulating structural engineering are described.

Legislation governing structures is described.

Procurement arrangements for structural engineering works are identified.

Quality assurance systems are identified
Outcome 2: Produce viable structural solutions, within the scope of a design brief,
taking account of structural stability, durability, aesthetics and cost.
Assessment criteria

A brief is appraised in accordance with structural engineering principles and concepts.
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Approximate structural engineering solutions are identified.
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Two different structural designs are developed from a brief and are communicated.
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The implications of changes to design briefs are identified and communicated.
Outcome 3 : Determine and document
elements from a proposed structure.
the form and size of
principal structural
Assessment criteria

Structural engineering problems are solved using a variety of suitable methods of
analysis.

Structures are appraised for overall stability, resistance to progressive collapse, fire and
performance of a structure as a whole.

Compliance with all relevant criteria for the design of primary structural materials
(concrete, steel, masonry and timber) is demonstrated by calculation with all
assumptions stated

General arrangement plans, sections and elevations are prepared for estimating
purposes.

Connection details associated with a given structure are sketched.
Outcome 4 : Specify and co-ordinate the use of primary structural materials
Assessment criteria

Properties and behaviour of primary construction materials (concrete, masonry, timber
and steel) are defined.
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Testing procedures are defined.
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Storage and handling procedures are described
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Construction standards are described.
4
Outcome 5 : Communicate construction techniques and sequencing for structural
engineering works
Assessment criteria

Basic construction techniques and equipment are identified
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Construction programmes and construction sequencing are described
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6
Site activities and safe working methods pertaining to structures are communicated.
Recognising demonstrated competence in structural engineering
Structural engineering can be performed at a number of levels. In South Africa, it would be
inappropriate to require all structural engineers to demonstrate their competency at the
highest level of structural engineering. It is accordingly necessary to look at two levels of
structural engineering. It should be noted in this regard that the Institution of Structural
Engineers is licensed by the United Kingdom’s Engineering Council to determine whether or
not persons are eligible for registration with the Council as Chartered Structural or
Incorporated Structural Engineers. Candidates for Chartered Structural Engineers must
demonstrate an ability to evaluate and develop effective solutions to structural design
problems that are safe and fulfil their intended functions and be able to communicate design
intentions. Candidates for Incorporated Structural Engineers must, on the other hand,
demonstrate an ability to interpret instructions into practical structural designs and details.
An examination of the differences in the Institution’s examinations between corporate
membership (Chartered Structural Engineer) and associate membership (Incorporated
Structural Engineer) indicate that the fundamental differences between these two types of
engineers can be summarised as follows:
Description
Understanding
of
structural
engineering
principles.
Use of technology
Problem solving
Chartered Structural Engineer
Understands core principles.
Incorporated Structural Engineer
Understands
fundamental
principles.
Is able to locate and use new
research and development to
benefit their work.
Is
able
to
solve
complex
(unconventional)
structural
engineering problems.
Is able to apply appropriate
technology in their work.
Is
able
to
(conventional)
problems.
solve
common
engineering
The competencies required for Incorporated Structural Engineers are the same as that for
Chartered Structural Engineers, except that competencies are assessed at a lower level.
The Joint Structural Division is of the view that demonstration of competencies in respect of
the abovementioned unit standards could permit engineers to demonstrate their
competencies as Structural Engineers and Structural Engineering Technologists, which would
be indicative of having the ability to independently design the following structures in areas
not subject to seismic activity:
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DESIGNATION
Structural Engineer
Structural
Engineering
Technologist
TYPE
OF
STRUCTURES
WHICH MAY BE DESIGNED
All types of structures including
residential,
institutional,
commercial
and
industrial
buildings,
towers,
bridges,
culverts
and
mining
and
containment structures
One family houses which may
be
separated
or
linked
horizontally but not linked
vertically and has its own access
and do not share any common
space.
Residential
buildings
not
exceeding 2 storeys in height.
Retail premises, commercial and
institutional
buildings
not
exceeding 2 storeys
Commercial, agricultural and
institutional storage facilities and
warehousing not exceeding one
storey.
Reinforced
buildings,
occupancy,
storeys
concrete framed
irrespective
of
not exceeding 5
Freestanding and retaining walls
LIMITATIONS
ELEMENTS
nil
PLACED
ON
SPECIFIED
Span of floor slab  7m.
All structural elements fall within the scope of
national or JSD codes of practices
Span of floor slab  7m.
Storey height  6m.
All structural elements fall within the scope of
national or JSD codes of practices .
Span of floor slab  7m.
Storey height  6m.
Steel roof span  25m
Timber roof span  10m
All structural elements fall within the scope of
national or JSD codes of practices.
Cranes which are frequently subjected to the
safe working load and are normally subjected
to loads which are relatively close to the safe
working load.
Storey height  6m.
Steel roof span  25m
Timber roof span  10m
All structural elements fall within the scope of
national codes of practices.
Span of floor slab  7m.
Storey height  6m.
Steel roof span  25m
Timber roof span  10m
All structural elements fall within the scope of
national codes of practices.
Walls falling within the scope of national
codes of practices.
Notes:
Span is the horizontal distance between the face of supports.
Storey height is the vertical distance between upper surface of a floor slab / surface bed and the underside
of a floor / eaves beam/ roof truss / purlin beam.
JSD= Joint Structural Division of SAICE / IStructE
7
Linking registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa with
demonstrated competencies in structural engineering
Demonstration of competencies as a Structural Engineer or a Structural Engineering
Technologist in terms of the abovementioned Unit standards need not be linked to formal
academic qualifications. They can be linked to prior registration in any of the ECSA
registration categories as indicated below:
REGISTER WITH ECSA AS A:
Professional Engineer
Professional Engineering Technologist
Professional Certificated Engineer
Professional Engineering Technician
Demonstrate
competency
6
RECOGNITION AS A :
Structural Engineer
Structural Engineering Technologist
Accordingly, a Professional Engineering Technologist who demonstrates competence as a
Structural Engineer will be recognised as having the capabilities of performing structural
engineering work as a Structural Engineer; a Professional Engineer who demonstrates
competence as a Structural Engineering Technologist will be recognised as a Structural
Engineering Technologist; etc. A registered engineer who has demonstrated competence as
a Structural Engineering Technologist is free at any stage to demonstrate competence as a
Structural Engineer in order to be recognised as such. In this way there is a continuous
career path for all registered engineers on the basis of demonstrated competence as opposed
to the acquisition of academic qualifications.
Structural Engineers and Structural Engineering Technologists, will as registered persons still
be required in terms of the code of ethics to undertake only work for which they are
competent to perform and to have the utmost regard for public safety. This approach, if linked
to the National Building Regulations will provide both a proactive and reactive means of
regulating the profession as a competent person who assumes responsibility for work in terms
of these regulations will be governed by a code of ethics and have demonstrated abilities in
structural engineering. Complaints relating to the beaching of the code of ethics would be
referred to ECSA in accordance with the provisions of the Engineering Professions Act.
The Joint Structural Division is competent to make a determination as whether or not a
candidate is able to demonstrate competency in one of the two levels. This it can achieve by
requiring mature candidates (ie those who are above 35 years of age) to demonstrate their
competence through a professional interview and the presentation of a portfolio of work
undertaken. Non-mature candidates can demonstrate their competence through the writing of
the IStructE examinations under the invigilation of the Joint Structural Division and the
marking of examination scripts by IStructE. 4 (See Figure 1). (In time, the mature candidate
route will be phased out so that all engineers sit the examination. All engineers practicing
structural engineering will be encouraged to demonstrate their competence.)
Continuing education to maintain competence will be in accordance with the approach
recently adopted by SAICE.
8
Proposed changes to the National Building Regulations
It is proposed that the definition for a competent person in the National Building Regulations
be amended to read as follows:
Competent person means a person registered in terms of the Engineering Profession Act
(Act 46 of 2000) or a person registered in terms of section 11 of the Natural Scientific
Professions Act (Act No. 106 of 1993) and who is qualified by virtue of his experience and
training to act in terms of these regulations.
Regulation A19 (Appointment of Persons Responsible for Design, Inspection and Assessment
Duties ) will also need to be amended to interpret “who is qualified by virtue of his experience
and training”. A competent person in relation to structures will be defined as one who is
recognized by the Joint Structural Division of the SAICE and IStructE as a Structural Engineer
or a Structural Engineering Technologist.
In terms of this amended regulation, Structural Engineers will be able to assume responsibility
for work relating to all types of structures. Structural Engineering Technologists will be able to
4
Passing the examination will not necessarily entitle candidates to membership of IStructE as there are minimum
academic qualifications associated with various grades of membership. Institution members who currently are
fellows, members and associates of the Institution of Structural Engineers will automatically be recognised as being
Structural Engineers and associate members will be recognised as Structural Engineering Technologists.
In May 2000, the Institution of Structural Engineer's records showed that there were 368 corporate members
(FIStructE, MIStructE and AIStructE) residing in South Africa. (44 Fellows, 192 Members and 132 Associates). This
means that there are already 368 engineers in South Africa who have demonstrated their ability to perform the
outcomes contained in the unit standard for structural engineering as Structural Engineers.
7
assume responsibility for structural work within their competencies as described above and
should they engage in work outside their competencies, such work must be checked by a
Structural Engineer.5
9
Benefits of the proposed approach for establishing the credentials of Structural
Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists.
The registration of Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists in terms of
their demonstrated ability to perform outcomes has several benefits both to those responsible
for implementing the National Building Regulations and those implementing the Housing
Consumers Protection Measures Act. These bodies can readily determine the competence of
persons who are to assume responsibility for structures in terms of these pieces of legislation.
Client bodies who appoint Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists to
perform services associated with structural engineering can minimise their risk exposure to
structural defects as they will have the comfort that their appointed engineer (staff member or
external consultant) has the necessary and appropriate credentials to render the required
service. This has implications for organs of state (national and provincial departments, local
authorities, and public enterprises and entities) who are required, in terms of the
Public/Municipal Finance Management Act, to have a system of risk management in place .
Structural Engineers / Structural Engineering Technologists may, in the future, obtain reduced
professional indemnity insurance premiums on the basis that the underwriter’s risk exposure
is lessened through demonstrated competence in a field where their risk exposure to claims is
on the increase.
Please address all comments / suggestions to:
Ron Watermeyer (Vice President SAICE (Technical Leadership) and Vice President
IStructE)
Tel 011-402 4072
Fax 011-404-1728
Email watermeyer@ssinc.co.za
5
This approach allows competence to be recognised by peers. Peer recognition for competence in fire safety and
site stability (slope and dolomitic) can be formulated along similar lines. For example, an engineering geologist who is
registered as a natural scientist and who has peer recognition in performing dolomitic stability investigations can be
recognised as a competent person.
8
Registration with ECSA as professional engineer
/ engineering technologist / certificated engineer
/ engineering technician
Structural Engineer / Structural Engineering
Technologist in training
Tertiary education
INITIAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Experience in
the workplace,
preferably
under the
guidance of a
mentor who is
a Structural
Engineer or a
Structural
Engineering
Technologist
Objectives

Communicate the environment within which structural
engineering is practised.

Produce viable structural solutions, within the scope of a
design brief, taking account of structural stability, durability,
aesthetics and cost.

Determine and document the form and size of principal
structural elements from a proposed structure.

Specify and co-ordinate the use of primary structural
materials

Communicate construction techniques and sequencing for
structural engineering works
Activities

Working under the supervision/ mentorship of a Structural
Engineer / Structural Engineering Technologist, both in a
design office and on a construction site, on a broad range of
structures and related work.

Attendance at appropriate seminars, lectures and courses.

Participation in JSD and SAICE meetings and events

Regular reading of SAICE and IStructE journals

Self study and personal researching of aspects of structural
engineering to improve knowledge and skills
Non-mature candidates:

Sit IStructE examination
Structural Engineer/ Structural
Engineering Technologist



Mature candidates:
Professional interview
Present portfolio of work
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Objective:
The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the
development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical
duties throughout the Structural Engineer / Structural Engineering Technologist's working life as
a practitioner.
Activities:
Formal education and training activities
Informal learning activities including regular reading of technical journals and in-house training
Industry related conferences, seminars and workshops
Presentation of seminars, courses, workshops, articles and papers (both preparation and
presentation)
Work based activities (work-based learning, work shadowing, and transfers to new departments
or changes in employer) writing computer programs, drawing up manuals
Development and professional activities (e.g. mentoring young engineers in the work place,
career guidance, external examiner, review of technical papers, participation in technical (nonInstitution and Institution committees or task groups) as well as taking part in Professional but
non-technical committees
Note: Structural Engineers and Structural Engineering Technologists must submit CPD
compliance reports to JSD for evaluation and reconfirmation of registration every five years.
Retired Structural Engineer / Structural Engineering
Technologist
Figure 1 : Professional development path for Structural Engineers /
Structural Engineering Technologists
9
Addendum 1: Extracts from Dr Keith J Eaton (Chief Executive, The Institution of
Structural Engineers) keynote address on the Recognition of Chartered (or
Professional) Structural Engineer status in several countries, at the Second US
National Summit on Separate Licensing of Structural Engineers, February 15-16, 2002,
ASCE-SEI, Reston, Virginia
General
The Institution of Structural Engineers was founded in 1908, and its Royal Charter entitles Members
(MIStructE) and Fellows (FIStructE) to use the designation “Chartered Structural Engineer”. The
Institution has members living and working in some 105 countries around the world, and the Chartered
Structural Engineer designation is widely recognised as an international passport to practise as
professional structural engineers.
The Institution’s rigorous qualifying procedure involves a seven-hour examination6 of structural
engineering competence. This procedure is unique, and the examination is taken in about 75 locations
around the world, all on the same day. As a result of this rigorous test of competence, Members and
Fellows of the Institution are recognised throughout the world on an even basis as being highly qualified
and competent structural engineers. Furthermore, in some countries, Membership of the Institution
leads automatically, or at least reasonably directly, to registration as a professional structural engineer in
that country.
The Institution has specific agreements with other structural or civil engineering bodies in 13 countries,
ranging in nature from a full mutual recognition agreement with the People’s Republic of China to a
simpler Declaration of Intent with Japan.
Details of the importance of MIStructE and FIStructE in a number of countries, and of the linkages to
registration or licensing, are given below.
People’s Republic of China (PRC)
In order to practise independently as a structural engineer in the PRC it is necessary to be a Registered
Structural Engineer. Such registration can be achieved in only one of two ways:
(i)
(ii)
By taking the examination of the National Administration Board of Engineering Registration
(Structural) or NABER(S) of the PRC.
By being MIStructE or FIStructE and using the Mutual Recognition Agreement which the
IStructE has with NABER(S).
Moving on from one of those registration routes, when one design entity has four such Registered
Structural Engineers working in its offices, then that organisation can obtain a Licence; it can then
undertake structural designs without having to associate or collaborate with another Licensed office.
Hong Kong – the Special Administrative Region of the PRC
In order to practise as a professional engineer in Hong Kong an individual has to be a Registered
Professional Engineer. In the case of structural engineering, such registration requires membership of
the Structural Discipline of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) or of another “engineering
body the membership of which is accepted by the Engineers Registration Board as being of a standard
not less than that of a member of HKIE”. Such membership of the HKIE Structural Discipline is
generally achieved by being MIStructE or FIStructE, although a minority have direct entry through
HKIE’s own examination route. However, HKIE actually franchises the setting and the running of its
examination to IStructE. Hence, the very small minority of structural engineers who are not MIStructE
have still passed the same IStructE examination as all other IStructE members.
Furthermore, in order to practise as a structural engineer in the private sector, an individual has to be a
Registered Structural Engineer which requires a Registered Professional Engineer (Structural
Discipline) to be assessed by the Hong Kong Buildings Department (which is responsible for building
control). Hence, the reality is that the vast majority of Registered Structural Engineers in Hong Kong are
MIStructE or FIStructE and the very small minority who are not have qualified by passing the same
IStructE examination.
Singapore
Legislation in Singapore requires certified engineers to be responsible for all three stages of the design
and construction process (design of structures, checking of the design and supervising the work on site).
The earliest examination paper in the Institution’s records is dated 1924, but the examination almost certainly
started in 1908.
6
10
The IStructE examination and its quality and standard is greatly respected. The Institution of Structural
Engineers has a Joint Agreement with the Institution of Engineers of Singapore, and a Joint Structural
Division, and it is that Joint Division which can communicate with the PE Board in Singapore to develop
the Board’s recognition of corporate membership of IStructE. At present it is not entirely clear from the
PE Board information whether or not a MIStructE or FIStructE professional can be registered as a PE
(Structural) for structural works. In addition, Singapore Registered Professional Engineers have to be
in possession of an annually-renewable Practising Certificate (obtained from the PE Board) to practise
in Singapore.
British Columbia, Canada
An engineer obtains a licence to practice by registering as a Professional Engineer with the Association
of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC). This is typically achieved
through an accredited engineering degree, four years of training, and passing a professional practice
examination.
A new public safety initiative has been launched where engineers who wish to accept responsibility for
building projects by signing Letters of Assurance to a building authority, will need to register with
APEGBC as a Structural Engineer of Record (SER). Applicants must be registered professional
engineers with at least six years of experience in structural engineering, and have passed a qualifying
structural examination. Acceptable examinations include those required for Structural Engineer (SE)
registration in Washington State, and the seven-hour Chartered Membership examination of the
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). Applicants selecting the IStructE route and meeting the
entry requirements may also apply for the MIStructE qualification. All SER applicants are also required
to pass a four-hour locally administered examination testing BC Building Code knowledge and seismic
design ability.
Japan
The Japan Structural Consultants Association (JCSA) is not an official licensing body, but it is
concerned about maintaining the quality of structural engineering undertaken by engineers registered as
structural engineers. It therefore conducts its own registration exams, the content being somewhat
similar to the IStructE Chartered Membership examination.
New Zealand
In New Zealand for an engineer to practice he does not currently need to become registered, although
the Registration Act is now being reviewed and modified. The title "Registered Engineer" currently
exists in New Zealand but is likely to change to "Professional Engineer" (P.Eng) when the revised Act
comes into force.
For professional structural engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of
Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ) have a joint agreement, and all structural engineers in
both Institutions are members of the combined Structural Engineering Society, SESOC. In respect of
membership of IPENZ, IStructE members are given a modified professional practice assessment for
MIPENZ. The panel assesses the MIPENZ competencies in management, ethics and principles, and
communication. MIStructE members are exempt from technical competencies if they have already
passed IStructE Chartered Membership (Part 3) examination.
Australia
Registration of engineers is not mandatory in Australia, although some States do have legislation
governing the practice of engineering. The Institution of Engineers Australia (IEAust) has established a
national database - the National Professional Engineers Register (NPER). This identifies members (and
non-members - you can apply to be on NPER without being MIEAust) whose qualifications, experience
and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are of the standard considered appropriate for
independent professional practice in the field of their expertise. Structural Engineering is one of the
areas of practice within NPER.
As IEAust embraces all engineering disciplines, members are assigned to a College appropriate to their
field of practice. Thus structural engineers will generally be members of the Structural College. (Many
IEAust structural engineers are also members of IStructE.) Thus a practising Structural Engineer would
be expected to be a member of IEAust Structural College and be registered on the NPER in the area of
practice of Structural Engineering. However it is not a mandatory requirement. Although not mandatory
to be registered, NPER is being used increasingly as the measure of competence.
Australian States currently have different regulatory controls on engineering practice, e.g. Queensland
has a Professional Engineers Act (and governing Board) which requires all engineering work to be
carried out by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ). This can be an individual or
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company who satisfies the requirements of the Board of Professional Engineers. There are moves to
make NPER registration as the qualifying standard for RPEQ.
The IEAust Structural College has recognised that MIStructE more than satisfies the requirements for
MIEAust Structural College membership and registration on NPER in the area of Structural Engineering.
United Kingdom
There is no formal legal requirement within the UK for an engineer of any discipline to register to
practice (except for engineering technicians working on aircraft engines, and a small panel of qualified
dam engineers). There is, however, a general ‘preference’ within the engineering community for all
engineers to be on the register of the Engineering Council (UK). Nevertheless, with or without this
registration, anyone can call themselves an engineer.
Within structural engineering, where there is a key responsibility for public safety, Chartered (ie
professional) Structural Engineers are qualified properly through IStructE membership procedures, and
maintain their competence by submitting annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) returns.
This initial qualification plus annual maintenance of the competence leads on to the ability to be on a
register for the professional design of structures, either under the government’s highway regulations, or
the government’s building regulations.
Scotland
In Scotland, Chartered Structural Engineers are already able to approve their own designs under the
Structure part of the Scottish Building Regulations, Technical Standards – provided they are paid-up
members and on our Institution’s register.
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