�PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING BODIES

Professional Engineering Bodies

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to

• Explain the procedures and importance of being registered with BEM as a graduate engineer
• Describe the requirements and route to be registered as a professional engineer in Malaysia
• Describe various Professional Engineering bodies related to the field of Mechanical Engineering locally and abroad

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Professional Engineering Bodies

Contents

1. The Board of Engineers Malaysia, BEM
2. The Institution of Engineers Malaysia, IEM
3. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME
4. The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology United Kingdom (IMarEST)

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Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)

The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)

• Statutory body constituted under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (REA)
• Officially formed in 23rd August 1972
• BEM falls within the ambit of responsibility of the Minister of Works
• Appointment of the Board Members and the Registrar is made by the Minister
• In essence, the Board is established for the purpose of regulating the professional conduct and practice of registered engineers in order to safeguard the safety and interest of the public

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Composition of BEM

BEM consists of 17 Board Members comprising of

• President
• 14 Professional Engineers:
• 5 public sector
• 5 private practice
• 2 from local authority or statutory authority
• 2 private sector (full-time employment)
• A representative of the Board of Architects Malaysia
• A representative of the Quantity Surveyors Malaysia

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Functions of BEM

The functions are

• Maintaining the Register
• Processing Applications for Registration
• BEM, through its Examination and Qualification Committee, conducts the Professional Assessment Examination (PAE)
• Assess the quality of experience gained by the Graduate Engineers and their competency
• Every application for registration, be it as Graduate Engineers, Professional Engineers, Engineering Consultancy Practices or Temporary Engineers by foreign engineers is scrutinized thoroughly by the Application Committee
• Ensure compliance with the Act and with the policy of BEM

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Assessment of Academic Qualifications

• BEM through its Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) assesses and accredits engineering degrees offered by institutions of higher learning
• The EAC is the co-ordinating body on accreditation, representing the BEM, IEM, Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (LAN) and Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia (JPA)
• The accreditation team visits the institution to audit the facilities and have dialogue with academic staff and students

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Regulating the Conduct and Ethics of the Engineering Profession

BEM has been a medium for the engineers to decide on matters relating to their professional conduct or ethics

• Any matter concerning the professional conduct of registered engineers will be studied by the Board to determine whether there is a breach of professional ethics or code
• Scale of Fees
• Scale of Fees Committee of BEM continues to have dialogues sessions with the Federal Treasury on issues involving mode of remuneration, quantum and conditions of payment

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Publication

Publication Committee of BEM undertakes the task of promoting the engineering profession through Bulletin Ingenieur and other printed materials

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Bulletin Ingenieur (4 issues per year: March, June, Sept and December) is used as a  communication tool for BEM to disseminate information on the activities of the Board, regulations, code of ethics, career development, update and, guidelines and such other news as decided by the Board

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Promotion of Continued Learning and Education

• BEM will consider providing financial assistance to seminar or conference which is organised by a non-profit making organisation.

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• BEM would also consider giving a grant to an elected type of study or contributing prizes for selected engineering competitions. BEM also purchase engineering reference books which all engineers have access to in the library.

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GRADUATE ENGINEERS REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

• Any person who wants to take up employment as an engineer must be registered as a Graduate Engineer with BEM
• BEM recognises the experience gained by an engineering graduate only after he has registered as a Graduate Engineer
• As such, it is prudent for an engineering graduate to register as a Graduate Engineer at the very beginning of his engineering career

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REQUIREMENT FOR REGISTRATION AS A GRADUATE ENGINEER

The recognised academic qualification for registration as a Graduate Engineer with BEM includes the following

• An engineering degree accredited/ recognised by BEM available in an approved list maintained by BEM
• A pass in Part I & Part II of the Engineering Council Examination of United Kingdom or
• Part I & Part II of the IEM/BEM Graduate Examination in any particular branch

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BRANCHES OF ENGINEERING

• For graduate registration, the candidate will be placed in the branch as stated in his basic degree certificate
• BEM registers engineers in 86 different disciplines

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PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION AS A GRADUATE ENGINEER

Registration procedure

• The applicant shall submit his application in Form A
• The completed Form A shall be submitted together with
• Certified copy of the degree certificate
• Certified copy of the transcript of academic record or detail of course and subjects taken which is issued by the university
• Certified copy of Identity Card
• Processing fee of RM50.00

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PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION AS A GRADUATE ENGINEER

Registration procedure

• The certified copy of the degree certificate from a foreign university that is not in the English language shall be accompanied by a translation of it in Bahasa Melayu or English
• Every document submitted must be certified as a true copy by a Professional Engineer who is registered with BEM

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PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION AS A GRADUATE ENGINEER

Registration procedure

• An applicant whose application is approved will be notified accordingly by letter
• The letter of notification would state the registration number and the branch of engineering in which the applicant is registered
• Branch of engineering eligible will be assessed by the board based on transcript submitted
• The application will be decided upon by BEM within four months from the date of receipt of complete application

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ENQUIRIES

All application and enquiries pertaining to registration & accreditation shall be addressed to:��Registration Department�Board of Engineers Malaysia�Tingkat 17, Ibu Pejabat JKR�Kompleks Kerja Raya Malaysia�Jalan Sultan Salahuddin�50580 Kuala Lumpur��Tel:   03-2691 1011 ext. 7095/7096�         03-2696 7095 / 7096�Fax: 03 - 2692 5017�E-mail: application@bem.org.my

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

Any candidate who applies for registration as a Professional Engineer must:

• Be registered as a Graduate Engineer with BEM; and
• Have satisfied the training requirements of BEM; and
• Have passed the Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) of BEM or be elected as a Corporate Member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM); and
• Have been residing in Malaysia for a period of not less than six months immediately prior to the date of application

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

PI Routes

1. Practicing Engineer Candidate

2. Teacher in Engineering Candidate

3. Researcher in Engineering Candidate

Graduate Engineer

ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER �Without practicing certificate

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER �With practicing certificate

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER �Without practicing certificate (PEPC)

• A Professional Engineer (PE) is a person registered under Section 10(2) of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2015).
• A PE who is registered with the Board may:
• take up employment which requires him to carry out or perform professional engineering services;
• be entitled to describe himself or hold himself out under any name, style or title –
• bearing the words "Professional Engineer" or the equivalent thereto in any other language;
• using the abbreviation “Ir.” before his name or the abbreviation “P.Eng.” after his name or in any way in association with his name;
• submit plans or drawings to any person or authority in Malaysia where such plans or drawings are in relation to an equipment, a plant or a specialised product invented or sold by him or his employer.

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Board of Engineers Outcome Based Professional Assessment Examination (PAE)

• Introduction to the NEW Outcome-Based PAE�BEM has approved the implementation of BEM Outcome-Based PAE to assess the outcome of practical training and experience for independent practice to be in line with international best practices.
• Training and Experience Report Preparation�The main objective is to confirm whether the candidate’s training and experience have satisfactorily met the competence required for a professional engineer.
• Professional Competence Preparation�Professional competence is the ability to carry out tasks to effective standards, of which the achievements require the combination of knowledge,  understanding, skills, values, as well as professional attitudes
• Preparation for the Interview�The purpose of oral interview is to assess attainment by the candidate in competence categories.
• Code of Conduct Essay�Candidates will be exposed to how to write an essay on their understanding of the code of conduct and professionalism

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER �With practicing certificate (PEPC)

• PEPC is a person registered under subsection 10D of the Registration of Engineers Act (Revised 2015).
• A PEPC who is registered with the Board may:
• practice, carry on business or take up employment which requires him to carry out or perform professional engineering services for designated engineering works subject to section 8;
• be entitled to describe himself or hold himself out under any name, style or title -
• bearing the words "Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate" or the equivalent;
• using the abbreviation “Ir.” before his name or the abbreviation “P.Eng.” after his name or in any way in association with his name

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ROUTE TO A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER �With practicing certificate (PEPC)

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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

The practical experience that a registered Graduate Engineer is required to obtain under Section 10 (1) (b) of the Act in order to be entitled to apply for registration as a Professional Engineer shall be carried out in a manner satisfactory to the Board for a period of three years

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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

In the planning, design, execution or management of such works as comprised within the profession of engineering; 

• in engineering research; or 
• in the teaching in a course leading to a qualification in engineering research; or
• in the teaching in a course leading to a qualification approved by the Board, and at least one Year of such practical experience shall be obtained in Malaysia under the supervision of a registered Professional Engineer of the same discipline or an approved allied discipline and shall be in fields of engineering practice other than in research or teaching

TRAINING REQUIREMENT

• Where there is no Professional Engineer of the same or allied discipline as the candidate in the organisation in which the candidate is working, he may seek the approval from BEM to obtain a Professional Engineer from outside his organisation to supervise his training
• The total practical experience to be obtained shall not be less than three years
• After the candidate has completed the required prescribed training, he may apply to sit for the Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) conducted by BEM

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NEW REQUIREMENTS

• From January 1, 2007, the PAE would be conducted solely by IEM on behalf of BEM
• New requirements as in BEM circular No. 2/2005
• New Competency Assessment Examination (CAE)
• From January 1, 2008, candidates who want to sit for the PAE will also have to sit for an additional competency examination (CAE)
• The CAE will cover competency in the practice as well as in the laws of the land

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ENTITLEMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER

Ingeniur : use of prefix Ir

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Professional Engineer : use of P.Eng at end

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Example: Ir. Shabudin Bin Mat, P.Eng

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PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURES

• Application Form G is to be submitted together with the prescribed fee of RM200.00 
• On approval of the application, BEM shall appoint a Principal Examiner who in turn shall appoint a Second Examiner
• The Examiners shall be either of the same or approved allied discipline as that of the candidate.

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PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

• The Principal Examiner shall write to the candidate advising the date by which the documents required for the Examination are to be sent to him and the place, time and date of the Examination
• All documents required by the Principal Examiner shall be sent to him by post
• The documents shall be accompanied by a completed BEM/Form/PAE/02 (Form I)
• PAE will consist of professional interview, followed by essay writing
• In the professional interview, the practical experience of the candidate will be assessed by the Examiners both on time and quality basis
• The Examiners shall test the candidate during the interview on the following aspects:
• Understanding of the application of engineering principles to the solution of problems arising from the investigation, planning, design, construction, operation or maintenance of engineering works; or on the subject of his research; and
• The ability to communicate

PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

• The candidate is required to write two essays, one each from Section A and Section B. Section A is for an essay related to the candidate's training and experience as stated in his report
• Essay for Section B will be on the code of ethics
• The candidate will be required to choose one out of two questions from Section A
• Candidate is also required to answer a question from two alternative questions selected by the examiners on code of professional conduct (Section B)
• 1 1/2 hours will be allowed for each written paper
• The essays are intended primarily to test the candidate's ability to marshal his knowledge and thoughts and to express them in words in a clear and concise manner

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PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

A - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Every candidate for the Examination shall submit the following documents
• Two copies of a typewritten report, giving an account of his training and experience
• Single copy of other documents and/or drawings
• Every drawing and document shall be certified by a Professional Engineer who is in a responsible position as the employer or the principal for whom or under whom it was prepared
• In the case of overseas experience, the drawings and documents may be signed by a Professional Engineer
• The Professional Engineer must certify on BEM/Form/PAE/02 (Form I) that the documents and drawings submitted are the work of the candidate

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PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

Submission of the Report

• The report on training and experience should be of length 1500 - 2000 words and be typewritten on A4 paper
• The report shall include organisations in which the candidate has worked (in chronological order) together with the positions held
• The duties and responsibilities in each organisation together with the works done/projects undertaken and training undergone should be stated
• The actual involvement of the candidate in the projects undertaken and experience gained is to be emphasized
• At the end of the report, the candidate should give a summary of the total time spent (since registration as a Graduate Engineer) in months on the following aspects:
• office/design work
• site/field experience
• planning/management, and
• others (research, teaching etc.)

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PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

Submission of the Drawings/Documents

• Consideration 1
• At least two and not more than four working drawings related to the candidate's own work; detailed design calculations prepared by him relating to one or more of the aforesaid drawings; specifications and a set of quantities, comprising abstract, takeoff sheets or shop list all prepared by him relating either to one of the aforesaid drawings, or to other drawings which must also be submitted
• A candidate may submit an additional drawing not necessarily prepared by him, to illustrate his experience in engineering works

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PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

Consideration 2

• The candidate must submit part of a feasibility study involving functional and economic comparison of the preliminary designs of an engineering system, or a comprehensive report of a major engineering project, or a system design of a major engineering works
• The above documents should include the following
• At least one relevant drawing showing essential features of details of the project or system
• Where appropriate at least three and not more than six sketches containing sufficient details to enable a draughtsman to work them up into working drawings without further guidance
• Preliminary stress or system analysis, where applicable, and
• Quantities, cost analysis or economic analysis as appropriate

PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

Consideration 3

• In the case of a candidate whose experience is in the installation or operation or maintenance of an engineering plant or engineering system, a detailed description of the installation or operation or maintenance of the plant or system together with the appropriate schedule which he has formulated must be submitted
• In his submission, he should clearly indicate his contribution which shows application of sound engineering principles
• A critical appraisal of the design of the engineering system which may not necessarily be the work of the candidate, should be included
• Details of modifications, if any, made to the existing system as a result of the work of the candidate should also be submitted

PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION (PAE)

Consideration 4 (FOR CANDIDATES ENGAGED IN RESEARCH & TEACHING)

• In the case of a candidate engaged in research and teaching, two copies of a report of not more than 4000 words in evidence of the research carried out by him should be submitted
• This report should include a brief summary of the candidate's research work, stating the subject matter and objectives, together with a short list of any papers he has published
• A thesis prepared for a higher degree is not acceptable but the candidate may include the matter of this thesis together with the new matter

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Total Number of Engineers Registered With BEM

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• According to official statistics from the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), the total number of registered persons exceeds 260,000.
• The breakdown across the main registration categories (as of late 2025/recent statistics):
• Graduate Engineers make up the vast majority (~83–85%) of total registrants on BEM's books.
• Professional Engineers (with the "Ir." title) account for roughly 7–8% of total registrations.

https://news.umpsa.edu.my/experts/why-malaysias-ir-stagnating#:~:text=Within%20a%20total%20registered%20body%20of%20over,their%20employers%20do%20not%20require%20it.%20...

Introduction to IEM

• The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, also known as IEM
• A professional learned society serving more than 15,000 members in Malaysia, overseas, and the communities in, which they work
• Formed in 1959 and started out with 60 members
• Membership has increased to 23,309 (data as of 31 March 2011), making it the largest professional body in Malaysia
• The Corporate member of IEM can apply to BEM for registration as a Professional Engineer
• Currently, the IEM has five (5) official representatives on the BEM

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Type of IEM membership

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• Student Member – open to all engineering students

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• Graduate Member – open to all practicing engineers registered with BEM

• Corporate / Fellow Member – upgrading for experience engineers leading to Professional Engineer status

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• Associate Member – non-degree engineering practitioner; diploma or certificate holders

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• Incorporated Member – Professional Engineers from international Engineering Institution recognized by IEM

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• Honorary Member – distinguish person who contributed to engineering profession

Benefits of IEM membership

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• Establish networking groups amongst engineers

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• Attend Technical Talks, Seminars or Courses and Technical Visits

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• Attend Professional Development Program (PDP)

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• Route to Professional Engineers

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• Attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

IEM offices

IEM Southern Branch:�24-B, Jalan Abiad, Taman Tebrau Jaya�80400 Johor Bahru

Tel: 07-331 9705

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Head-Quarters:�Bangunan Ingenieur, Lot 60/62, Jalan 52/4,�Peti Surat 223�46720 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Tel: 03-79684001

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�The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME�

• ASME is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines
• Founded in 1880 by a small group of leading industrialists, ASME has grown through the decades to include more than 120,000 members in over 140 countries around the globe
• ASME’s diverse members range from college students and early-career engineers to project managers, corporate executives, researchers and academic leaders
• ASME serves this wide-ranging technical community through quality programs in continuing education, training and professional development, standards and certification, research, conferences and publications, government relations, and other forms of outreach
• ASME issued its first standard, Code for the Conduct of Trials of Steam Boilers, in 1914, starting a development process that has grown to more than 500 codes and standards

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The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) UK

The IMarEST was established in London in 1889 then known as The Institute of Marine Engineers but in 2002 changed to IMarEST, incorporating marine professionals from the marine science and technology segments, and is the largest international membership body and learned society for marine professionals, with over 15,000 members worldwide

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It has branch offices in 50 countries and a presence in 100 countries worldwide

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The Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST) UK

• Benefits
• Professional status and recognition: various grades of membership, professional registers e.g CEng, CMar Eng, IEng , EngTech under the Engineering Council of the UK and under the Science Council of the UK, CSci, RMarSci
• Access to global marine community
• Become part of the marine tradition. Over 120 years of the Institute’s existence, the leaders of IMarEST have traditionally been involved in the furtherance of marine technology advancements
• Opportunity – access to the IMarEST employment service, obtain career advice, support and mentoring
• Consultation – getting involved with international and national level forums and conferences

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