Completing an assessment
Competence requirement
To register as a CPEng, you will need to complete an assessment to demonstrate you meet the minimum standard for registration. You will need to provide us with:
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your work history (CV) demonstrating your involvement in complex engineering activities
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work samples with annotations explaining how the samples demonstrate your engineering competence
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a completed and signed self-assessment form describing how you meet the minimum standard for registration (see Appendix 1).
Professionalism and ethics requirement
Your CPEng assessment will also require you to provide evidence of your professional competence. You will need to:
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commit to the CPEng Code of Ethical Conduct
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provide two referees who must be CPEng registered engineers or equivalent
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demonstrate sufficient continued professional development (CPD) per year to show evidence that you have taken reasonable steps to maintain the currency of your professional engineering knowledge and skills within your current practice area since your last CPEng assessment or university graduation.
Before you start
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Make sure your work and CPD records are up to date.
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Get familiar with the assessment criteria.
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Talk to people who have been through the process before.
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Choose the practice field(s) you would like to apply for
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If you are registering for CPEng in the Structural or Geotechnical practice fields, as a Recognised Engineer, or as an Engineering Geologist, ensure you familiarise yourself with the relevant Body of Knowledge and Skill (BOKS) and ensure your application is aligned with the relevant technical requirements.
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Top tip: write in the first person, eg ‘I’ or ‘me’.
Our process
If you're completing a competence assessment, your application will go through all six stages of our process.
Stage 1: Eligibility – To be eligible to apply to be a Chartered Professional Engineer, you must have a Washington Accord-accredited qualification (in New Zealand this is an accredited 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)) or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge.
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Stage 2: Preparation – It usually takes between four and six years to gain enough experience to be ready to apply for CPEng. To meet the minimum standard for registration, you need to demonstrate that you're able to practice competently in your practice area to the standard of a reasonable professional engineer.
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Stage 3: Apply online – You will need to complete an online application form. The list of applicants currently being assessed is published here. We invite feedback from the public on individuals being assessed for CPEng registration
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Stage 4: Validation – One of our Competence Assessment Advisors will check the information you’ve provided and will aim to give you feedback within 10 working days. They’ll let you know if you need to make any changes before your application is sent to an Assessment Panel.
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Stage 5: Evaluation – Once your application is finalised, an assessment panel will be assigned to you. They’ll review your application over 8–10 weeks and as part of this, may meet with you to discuss it as well.
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Stage 6: Decision – Your advisor will let you know the proposed outcome of your application. If successful, your name will appear on our Find an engineer public register. If your application is unsuccessful or the Competence Assessment Board (CAB) made an alternative decision, you'll have the opportunity to respond.
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What are assessors looking for?
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Has the engineer provided at least two (reassessment) or four (assessment) work records?
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Do evidence statements clearly state how files provided are relevant to the assessment, and which competency group they relate to?
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Have New Zealand specific examples been provided or knowledge of the New Zealand context mentioned?
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Has the engineer explained how the work samples demonstrate complex work?
Maintaining your registration
To maintain your CPEng registration you will need to:
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maintain a current practicing certificate by paying the applicable annual registration certificate charge
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be reassessed at least every six years to demonstrate you meet the minimum standard for continued registration.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
If you are planning to use an AI tool to help you with your assessment application, please ensure you take note of the AI policy document below. This policy outlines the guidelines regarding the use of AI in the completion of assessment documentation for assessments offered by Engineering New Zealand, including competence assessments and knowledge assessments.
Mutual recognition
If you are currently registered as a Chartered Engineer with a professional body we recognise and wish to register as a Chartered Professional Engineer, you may be eligible to apply through the expedited Mutual Recognition Assessment pathway. ​
You must be able to demonstrate how you comprehend and apply your knowledge of accepted principles underpinning good practice for professional engineering that is specific to New Zealand. Please read through the guidance document for more information.
Knowledge Assessment
Don’t have a Washington Accord-accredited qualification? You can demonstrate equivalent knowledge for entry into Chartership (Chartered Member or Chartered Professional Engineer) by completing a knowledge assessment. ​
Don’t have a Sydney or Dublin Accord-accredited qualification? Your equivalent knowledge will be evaluated as part of your Chartership assessment.