Engineering competency assessment
In order to establish an internationally equivalent competency assessment system for engineers, advance the mutual recognition of engineering qualifications internationally, and improve the professional and international levels of engineering and technical personnel in China, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has established the Chinese Society of Engineers (CSE). CSE authorizes qualified national societies, associations, and institutes affiliated with CAST to undertake specific competency assessments for engineers. Authorized national societies (hereinafter referred to as authorized societies) are entitled to administer engineering competency assessments for their members.
Engineering competency assessment is a third-party socialized talent evaluation conducted worldwide for engineering and technical talents by CSE and authorized societies. This assessment, under the General Specification of Competency Assessment for Engineers and relevant professional standards in engineering and technology fields and based on peer review, focuses on evaluating competence and performance through material reviews, written tests, and oral interviews from 5 key aspects: engineering knowledge and professional competency, engineering ethics and professional ethics, teamwork and communication skills, continuous development and lifelong learning, leadership and project management.
Members of an authorized society who are engaged in the relevant engineering and technology fields can apply for an engineering competency assessment to such authorized societies. Engineering members are ranked in the three grades：Apprentice Engineer (AE), Professional Engineer (PE), and Senior Professional Engineer (SPE). Applicants who meet the requirements on educational experience, professional work experience, and quality and competency, after passing the engineering competency assessment, can register as an engineering member of the corresponding grade of the authorized society; if the application conditions for a higher grade are met, the applicant can apply for a promotion evaluation. Engineering members shall abide by the code of conduct, earn at least 40 credit hours annually by participating in relevant CPD activities, and re-register every 5 years to maintain the qualification.
Engineering members will be issued a certificate for recognizing their engineering competence by CSE and authorized societies; receive priority in acquiring the resources of CPD activities provided by CSE and authorized societies to meet the needs of improving their engineering and technical competence and attributes; have the opportunity to be an assessor for the engineering competency assessment in their engineering and technology fields; increase exchanges between international peers and participate in more domestic and international conferences and activities in their engineering and technology fields; and may obtain the vocational qualification of a country/region through simplified procedures after CSE has signed an agreement on mutual recognition of engineer qualifications with relevant engineering organizations in such country/region.
