Think you can’t apply for Chartered Engineer (CEng) until you’re 30? Or perhaps you’ve been put off applying for any professional registration status because you’ve heard it takes too long or you think you need a specific qualification? We’ve come across a few misunderstandings in our time, so we have decided to set the record straight and disprove some of those crazy professional registration myths.

   

Myth: You need to have a degree-level education to achieve Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or CEng.

Truth: Applications for professional registration are competence-based and whilst a bachelor or master’s degree is a good way to demonstrate competences it is not the only way. This can also be done through further learning.

  

Myth: Only IET accredited degrees count towards IEng or CEng.

Truth: Although the exemplifying qualification for CEng is an accredited masters degree, you don’t have to have an accredited qualification in order to gain IEng or CEng status.

  

Myth: You need to be over 30 to apply for CEng registration.

Truth: Wrong, you can apply at any age. The IET has registered tonnes of Chartered Engineers in their 20s – and some members have gone on to even become Fellows before hitting the big 3 0.  Professional registration is all about experience, so as long as you can show you’ve gained the necessary skills you can apply.

  

Myth: Some professional registration categories are better than others. 

Truth: Wrong, professional registration is about the right category for you at your career stage. It all comes down to your experience, sector and role, but there is no one registration category that is better than the others.

  

Myth: Applying for professional registration includes writing essays.

Truth: Nope, you can write as little or as much as you like on your application. The process is essentially a big CV, and you should be happy to write about the work you’ve undertaken. Not all engineers are wordsmiths however, but you should have at least the basics you need to highlight on your current CV.

  

Myth: You can only gain Engineering Technician (EngTech) or ICT Technician (ICTTech) if you’ve done an apprenticeship.

Truth: Wrong again my friend. Similarly to IEng/CEng and degrees, although apprenticeships are a good way to demonstrate the necessary competencies an apprenticeship pathway is not a mandatory route to achieving EngTech or ICTTech. As we said before, it’s all about the competencies…

 

Myth: Professional registration is not for academics.

Truth: Academics, researchers or those doing a PhD can, and should, apply for professional registration. There is specific guidance on the Engineering Council website on how to go about applying, plus the IET’s academic partner account managers and professional registration advisors can offer support.

  

Myth: Gaining professional registration takes forever.

Truth: Actually the process is designed to be as fast and painless as possible. If you’ve been logging your work along the way, the application form can be filled out in less than an hour, especially if you’ve been using Career Manager to keep track of everything. The wait for an interview can be pretty quick but as it depends on the availability of volunteers, there can be a slight delay. On average though, it should take less than four months to go from sitting at your desk writing the application to hanging your framed certificate above it.

 

 Is it time that you applied to become registered? Start your journey by finding out which category is right for you here.

 

 Mythbusting text provided by John Ging, Keri Allan and Kathryn Bain.