Chemical & Process Technology

Some of my readers from Malaysia asked me to make some posting related the process to get certified as Professional Engineer in Malaysia. I have a long discussion in one of post raised in Chemical Engineering Forum. I though the contents that I have presented in the post should be sufficient, however, I still received several emails from young engineers related to same topic. After some detail thinking, I decided to make some posting here.

If you are practicing engineer in Malaysia regardless you are Malaysian or Foreign citizen, you shall continue reading...

First of all, if you are Malaysian and practicing engineering in Malaysia, you shall be register yourself as Graduate Engineer to Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM). Failing of registration to BEM is considered ILLEGAL under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (revised 2002).

The basic requirement to be qualified for registration as Graduate Engineer is you shall obtain one of the following :

Details of registration can refer to "TEMPORARY ENGINEERS Requirements and Procedures” and form ready for downloaded from BEM website.

Professional Engineers
Previously, there were 2 methods to become Professional Engineer (PE) in Malaysia.

Method 1 :
Previously, graduate engineer worked under Professional Engineer (PE) with same discipline for number of years as stipulated, prepare log book (quarterly), summary of experiences, accumulate enough credit hours and attend Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) organize by Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM). Read circular here - http://www.bem.org.my/cpd/19sept2005/pdpcircular2-2005.doc

If you login to BEM website, you may still find above method (as of 20 Dec 2007) is valid. However, recent confirmation with BEM, BEM has TEMPORARY STOP conducting any Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) from 1st JAN 2007. Thus, this method may not work for time being until further notice.

Method 2 :
Worked under Professional Engineer (PE) with same discipline for number of years as stipulated (e.g minimum 3 years for those graduated prior to 01 Jan 1998 and minimum 4 years for those graduated after 01 Jan 1998) , prepare log book (quarterly) or detailed report, summary of experiences and attend Professional Interview (PI) organize by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM). Once you get your corporate membership (MIEM) with IEM, you may apply to BEM to obtain PE status.

The log book may be accumulated experiences for every quarter and endorsed by Professional Engineer (PE) you work with. However, the detailed report may be prepared for knowledge and experiences gained in ONE of the project within the stipulated period and endorsed by Professional Engineer (PE) you work with.

For the Professional Interview (PI), you have to attend a one (1) Professional Interview conducted by TWO Professional Interviewers and write two essays (normally one related to technical and another related to ethic and professional conduct)

You may click the links to download the example of log book and summary format.


Difference Role between BEM and IEM
Some of you may some confusion between BEM and IEM.

BEM is government body
authority to ensure all practicing engineer in compliance to MALAYSIA's LAW in engineering related. Once you are certified by BEM, you are Professional Engineer (PE) and you can apply Ir. in front of you name i.e. Ir. JoeWong

IEM is professional body
a body promote professionalism and encourage continuous learning. Provide professional opinion to BEM whenever required. NO authority at all in legal terms. Once you are approved by IEM as member, you are Corporate member of IEM and you can apply ENGR at the end or below your name.

Two Cents advice
i) As BEM temporary STOP to conduct any PAE, it may extends to no-date. Do not wait for BEM. Register to IEM immediately. However if you still have doubt, you may contact BEM (application@bem.org.my).

ii) Application via IEM, you only have to prepare & submit log book (OR detailed report) and summary of experiences, pass the professional interview and essay writing (2 nos), be a member of IEM and apply to BEM as PE. In my opinion, this method is pretty simple and time saving (even though method 1 via BEM still available).

iii) If you are lazy man or have “no time” to prepare the log book, you still have the chance to prepare a detailed report. Method 2 would allow you to do so.

Related Topic

• Seek Opinions on RESOURCE section...
• R&D engineer, Academician and Student...Don't miss this !
• Petrol Kiosk - Some Thought and Advices...