Engineering Technician (EngTech)

Engineering Technicians apply proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical engineering problems. They are able to demonstrate learning to NVQ/SQV level 3 or similar.

It is a formal recognition of your engineering skills and competence and an important stepping stone towards becoming an Incorporated Engineer or a Chartered Engineer.

On this page:

  1. Why become an Engineering Technician?
  2. Who is it for?
  3. How much will it cost?
  4. Start your application
  5. Support for your application

If you are seeking professional registration you will need to demonstrate your ability to meet competences described in the Engineering Council's UK-SPEC.

Use our Route to membership tool to find out if this is the right level of membership for you.

Why become an Engineering Technician?

Recognition:

  • Become professionally registered as an EngTech – a globally recognised benchmark
  • Demonstrate your engineering skills and experience
  • Increase your exposure to new career opportunities

Build new relationships:

  • Join a growing community of professional engineering technicians
  • Connect with like-minded colleagues and peers in your region
  • Meet other professional engineers and technicians and even potential future employers

Access our resources:

See all our Member benefits.

Who is it for?

You can apply for EngTech registration if you:

  • Have completed an advanced or modern apprenticeship course we've approved
  • Are already registered as an EngTech with another institution
  • Have suitable work experience or qualifications
  • Are a student who has completed two years of an engineering degree plus a year's appropriate industrial work experience

Education and knowledge

Although you don't need any formal qualifications, you'll need to have knowledge and understanding of technical matters to NVQ/SVQ level 3 or equivalent.

You will need to demonstrate that you meet the Engineering Council competences and requirements.

We welcome engineers from a very comprehensive base of experience and disciplines. Read our definition of mechanical engineering to find out more.

How much does it cost?

New registrants pay an application fee* and an annual subscription. 

The EngTech subscriptions are tiered by age and experience. You may apply throughout the year and your annual fees are adjusted accordingly. Find out about our fees and charged in UK pounds. View our subscription fees in India.

If you're not professionally active or your annual income is below £18,000 you may qualify for a reduced subscription.

*Standard Route only

Start your application

Before the online application opens, you will be asked to sign in to the website. If you do not already have a user name and password you will be prompted to create an online account.

Standard route application:

For anyone working in an engineering field. You don’t need any formal qualifications, although typically EngTechs have an NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or similar. You will have to prove competence in your field by demonstrating key personal and professional skills.

Apply via standard route - Complete a UK-Spec3 Application or Migrate to UK-Spec4

Apply via standard route - NEW UK-Spec4 Application

Or download the documents you need:

Approved route application:

If you have completed an IMechE approved modern/advanced apprenticeship you can apply through the EngTech approved route scheme. You will need to prove you are making a personal commitment to an appropriate code of professional conduct.

Apply via approved route - Complete a UK-Spec3 Application or Migrate to UK-Spec4

Apply via approved route - NEW UK-Spec4 Application

Or download the documents you need:

Transfer your membership:

If you are already registered as an EngTech with another institution, you can easily transfer your membership to us. Complete and return the Transfer application form.

Become a member

Contact our Membership team if you have any questions about joining us:

  • membership@imeche.org
  • +44 (0)20 7304 6999

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    UK-SPEC 4th Edition

    All applicants for registration and membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers are assessed against the standards as defined by the Engineering Council (EngC) in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). The 4th edition of the UK-SPEC was published on 1 September 2020, for implementation across the sector by 31 December 2021. The 4th edition is available here, with a summary of the key changes.

    Because of this required change, the competence statements within the MPDS/SRS tools will be amended to reflect UK-SPEC 4 on 6 September 2021. This should not affect those who have already completed MPDS/SRS and have submitted their membership applications.

    UK-SPEC has not changed structurally: the amendments to the templates are small textual changes, so should not impact evidence or plans lodged against current MPDS reports. When applying for membership, you should review text taken from reports to ensure your responses align with the amended wording of UK-SPEC4.

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    Armed Forces and MOD

    Serving in the Armed Forces or the Ministry of Defence (MoD)? You may be eligible to use a simplified route to professional registration.

    Find out about our Armed Forces route to professional registration

    Professionally registered with another institution?

    Find out how to join us

    Support for your application