Demonstrate your competence and commitment
Professional Registration
Pursuing your career in engineering
Here for the journey
Professional registration is an important step in pursuing a career in engineering and it lends itself to a ready-made career path, progressing through the titles as your experience broadens and deepens.
Putting those letters after your name – EngTech, IEng or CEng – instantly tells employers, clients and wider society that your competence and understanding of engineering principles has been independently assessed, that you have the knowledge, skills and professional attitude they value, and that you are committed to developing and enhancing your competence. It sets you apart from your non-registered colleagues.
The right professional registration title for you is based on your academic and professional competence.
EngTech
Engineering Technicians apply proven techniques and procedures to solve practical engineering problems.
They hold Level 3 engineering/technology qualifications and 2-3 years industry experience, OR 3-5 years industry experience.
IEng
Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation.
They hold Level 6 (Bachelors) engineering/technology qualifications and 3-5 years industry experience, OR 5-10 years industry experience.
CEng
Chartered Engineers develop solutions to complex engineering problems using new or existing technologies, and through innovation, creativity and technical analysis.
They hold Level 7 (Masters) engineering/technology qualifications and 3-6 years industry experience, OR 10-15 years industry experience.
What's my route to registration?
Whatever your academic background, you can be recognised as a professional Engineer. We have different routes to registration available to facilitate this, depending on your unique circumstances.
Registrant feedback
Help from the professionals
The RailEI Professional Registration Development Team are here to support individuals who are thinking about, or have already begun the process of gaining a professional title.
Many employers in the rail industry now have registration as an essential requirement in job descriptions. It provides you with a global benchmark of engineering excellence and it independently validates your competence and commitment.
- You will be recognised in your industry, by the Institution for your industry. Your review will be undertaken by rail infrastructure engineers who understand your role and responsibilities.
- All Professional Engineering Institutions work to the same universal standard as laid down by the Engineering Council in UK-SPEC. We just do it in your technical discipline and language.
- We have routes available for competent engineers and technicians without recognised qualifications, and our academic assessments are free to members.
- Our processes are not unnecessarily complicated and Engineering Technicians are not required to attend interview.
- Our Guidance and Forms are easy to follow and complete, with support readily available.
- Our fees are fully inclusive and competitive.
If this all seems like a different language, check out this Engineering Council Guide to Professional Registration. It gives lots of info on what it is, why and how to do it, and details of the professional engineering community.
- Every applicant needs the assistance of a Supporter and a Sponsor.
- Candidates need to demonstrate how they meet the competence and commitment criteria for their grade. IEng and CEng candidates do this through a 5,000 word Professional Review Report. EngTechs do this through their written answers in the application form.
- This is further probed through a Professional Review Interview for IEng and CEng applicants; it is not normally required for EngTechs.
- Records of professional development from the past 1-3 years, showing 30 hours of learning with reflections against each activity.
- A development plan for the current year, which shows a commitment to the industry and the PWI.
Let us know what you hold, and we can do a quick check to see if they automatically meet the requirements.
If they don’t, our Academic Panel will take a look at your package of qualifications to see if they do meet the requirements and exempt you from further learning. They will also consider any international qualifications.
If there is an academic gap, we will advise on the best way to bridge it.
You’ll have learnt many things through your experience, and that can be drawn on in satisfying the academic competences. Take a look at our routes to registration page to see which route is best for you.
Yes! This Guidance helps put UK-SPEC in the context of your role. You don’t have to have direct, regular work on a live railway to demonstrate the competences.
How quickly you can prepare your application is a personal matter – it will require your time and commitment – but once we receive it, we aim to let you know the outcome within six weeks.
Interviews (if required) take place quarterly, with decisions typically communicated six weeks after those, too.
Apply for an Additional Membership with us, and be recognised in your chosen field as committed to rail engineering and safety.
You’ll need to abide by our Code of Professional Conduct, and continue to develop your competence through learning and development activities. Keeping a record of this activity is mandatory and could be subject to audit.
Our professional registration LinkedIn group gives those on their journey a forum to connect with each other and existing registrants to raise questions, discuss challenges and gain support from your peers. We encourage members to treat this as an alumni network for RailEI Professional Registration, allowing you to make friends and stay engaged with others who have undertaken the same journey, and to offer your experiences and mentorship to others when possible.
Professional Registration fees
EngTech
Application fee
New registrant £60
Additional membership £0
The application fee includes the Engineering Council entry fee required for all new registrants.
Annual fee
Engineering Council fee £24.06
We will collect the Engineering Council annual fee with your RailEI membership subscription and pay it to them on your behalf.
IEng
Application fee
New registrant £225
Additional membership £90
The application fee includes the Engineering Council entry fee required for all new registrants.
Annual fee
Engineering Council fee £41.97
We will collect the Engineering Council annual fee with your RailEI membership subscription and pay it to them on your behalf.
CEng
Application fee
New registrant £225
Additional membership £90
The application fee includes the Engineering Council entry fee required for all new registrants.
Annual fee
Engineering Council fee £49.45
We will collect the Engineering Council annual fee with your RailEI membership subscription and pay it to them on your behalf.
Learn about CPD
Member Journeys
Starting your Professional Registration journey can feel daunting, and it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. Hear from our recently registered Members as they share their experiences, insights, and tips for success.
