Professional registration is the mechanical engineering industry’s gold standard. It gives you access to our world-class resources to develop your career, and lets you get involved in setting the global engineering agenda.
On this page:
By becoming an Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng), you’ll gain an internationally recognised accreditation and we’ll support you throughout your career.
For each type of professional registration, you’ll need to demonstrate that you meet the Engineering Council’s standard five key ‘competences’ – a set of requirements that prove your knowledge, understanding and skills.
Watch Business Development Manager Claire Maycock talking about the benefits of professional registration.
There are three main categories of professional registration; Engineering Technician (EngTech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng).
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.
Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation. Their academic knowledge is at bachelor's level or equivalent.
Chartered Engineers develop solutions to complex engineering problems using new or existing technologies, and through innovation, creativity and technical analysis. Their academic knowledge is at master's level or equivalent.
To register as a professional engineer, you’ll need to have the right level of academic qualifications and appropriate work experience for your chosen category.
You can use the Qualifications Checker tool to check whether you meet the academic requirements. We may be able to help you with Further Learning options if these are needed.
Your work experience is assessed by measuring how you meet certain core competences. The requirements for these vary depending on your chosen registration category. You will need to monitor and record your competence development to support your application.
The best way to do this is via a structured professional registration programme.
Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS)
MPDS is a company scheme which may lead graduate engineers directly to professional registration. It is endorsed by the Engineering Council and approved and Accredited by us.
This workplace-based route is offered by more than 300 engineering companies to their employees worldwide.
To apply via this route, you’ll need to become an Associate Member, and work for a company that has adopted the scheme. It’s easy to apply and you’ll enjoy the benefits of membership. You can then use AMIMechE after your name on your CVs and in job applications.
By applying via MPDS, you’ll benefit from:
Developing Engineers Programme
If your company doesn’t have an accredited MPDS, you can use the Developing Engineers Programme to pursue professional registration.
The programme provides the tools, support and guidance you need to achieve professional registration as efficiently as possible, in a flexible framework that fits around your schedule.
Log on to the Developing Engineers Programme.
Supported Registration Scheme (SRS)
You may be able to register via the Supported Registration Scheme (SRS). Through SRS, you’ll work independently, selecting your own mentor and assessing your own development.
Once you have submitted your application for IEng or CEng, you’ll have a Professional Review Interview with our panel of peers to discuss your achievements. If you are successful, they’ll make a recommendation to the Professional Review Committee to register you as an IEng or a CEng.
Once you’re registered as a professional engineer and full member, you’ll need to continue your professional development. This typically involves using our resources to keep up to date with advances in your profession or developing your knowledge in a specialist area.
We offer training courses, lectures and events, with access to a network of similarly qualified and experienced experts in each specialist field.
If you have a question about MPDS, contact our MPDS team.
If you have a question about Initial Professional Development schemes, we'd like to hear from you.
If you have a question about Continuing Professional Development, please contact us.
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.
Find out about Career Developer