We’re here to help you on your journey to becoming Chartered. As our first step, we assess your engineering credentials against the global engineering educational standards: Washington, Sydney, and Dublin Accord. We do this through our Credential check process.
Why do I need a Credential check?
We use Credential checks as a fast-track way to determine someone's Accord equivalence, and they need to be at Washington Accord status to match our New Zealand standard.
When applying for Chartered status, your first step is to have your credentials checked. We will verify if you meet the academic requirement for the Chartered class you need.
Immigration New Zealand may ask you to provide a letter from us certifying you meet the benchmark requirements for Chartered Professional Engineer status in New Zealand (the benchmark requirement is a Washington Accord qualification, or equivalent).
It’s important to note, Credential checks are a way to recognise education and study – not skill or experience. If you are not granted Washington Accord Accreditation through a Credential check, it is because your education provider in your country, or the course you took, was not Washington Accord accredited.
What happens if I do not meet the Credential check?
If your outcome does not meet the Accord status – please do not worry. This does not mean you are not qualified for Chartership. It is not a reflection on competence or skill as an engineer.
It just means we were unable to determine that your credentials are accredited via our bilateral agreement channels.
If this is the case, we will help you complete an equivalent knowledge assessment. This is where you can demonstrate engineering knowledge that is equivalent to a Washington Accord accredited qualification through your academic study, work experience and further learning.
A Credential check must be completed in the first instance. It is only if do not meet the Credential check that you take an equivalent knowledge assessment.
Fees and processing time
Credential check fee
A Credential check is free if you’re a member of Engineering New Zealand.
Find out about our membership options here
For students and non-members, the fee is $431.25 (incl GST).
We will check your credentials within 7 to 10 working days, after payment is received.
Equivalent knowledge assessment fee
If you need to take the equivalent knowledge assessment test, the fee is NZ$1,351.25 incl GST (less any fee paid for a qualification assessment).
The equivalent knowledge assessment test will take 6-8 weeks.
Got a new credential and need another check?
If you have gained another credential since having your other credentials checked, you can get a subsequent credential check free of charge.
What are we checking in Credential checks?
We will check your engineering credentials, including:
- Qualifications that you have (you have completed graduation requirements)
- Memberships and registrations with international engineering organisations
- Assessments with Engineers Australia, NCEES (USA) or past Knowledge Assessments with IPENZ
Prepare for your check
Before you request a Credential check, you will need to add your credentials to your Engineering New Zealand account.
Have an Engineering New Zealand account already?
If you have an account with us, please upload your credentials by following these steps:
- Log into your account
- Go to the ‘Menu’ tab
- Go to ‘Career’ tab
- Click on ‘Credentials’
- Add your credentials here
No Engineering New Zealand account
If you do not have an account with us – please create one here
You do not need to be a financial member to create an account. You can create an account for the purpose of just going through a Credential check process. It just means you will not be able to access our exclusive member only benefits.
Once you’ve created your account, you can then upload your credentials by following the steps listed above under ‘Have an Engineering New Zealand account already?’.
For each credential, you will need to upload evidence:
- Qualifications – evidence includes graduation or award certificate, and academic transcript or marksheets
- Memberships and registrations – evidence can include award certificates
- Assessment – evidence can include your assessment outcome
It is important you upload all documents before you request the credential check. You cannot add or edit your credential details online once you submit the request.
What you will get
If your Credential check is successful, you will receive Accord recognition.
We will assign an Accord recognition status to each credential:
|
This Accord recognition: |
Meets the benchmark to apply for: |
|---|---|
|
This Accord recognition: Washington Accord or equivalent |
Meets the benchmark to apply for: Chartered Member & Chartered Professional Engineer registration |
|
This Accord recognition: Sydney Accord or equivalent |
Meets the benchmark to apply for: Chartered Member (Engineering Technologist) |
|
This Accord recognition: Dublin Accord or equivalent |
Meets the benchmark to apply for: Chartered Member (Engineering Technician) |
|
This Accord recognition: No equivalence |
Meets the benchmark to apply for: Not applicable. This means that we were unable to determine that your credentials are accredited or have an Accord equivalence. |
If an Accord recognition is assigned, this means the credential is either recognised by us as Accord-accredited or as demonstrating equivalence to an Accord-accredited qualification.
If your goal is to become Chartered, this will help us recommend your next step: which assessment you need to complete.
Find out more about recognised qualifications
Find out more about recognised credentials
Find out more on getting Chartered
Chartership eligibility
Need a report about your international credentials?
As part of your credential check request, you can tell us if you need a report about your international credentials for:
- Immigration New Zealand visa application
- Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) registration assessment
- Potential employer or education provider
We’ll send you a report that meets your purpose after your credential check is completed.
[MO1]So they need to create an ENZ account, and upload the credentials? If so, I think we could add this here – so that the steps are in order. (example below)
Request a check
If you're an Engineering New Zealand member, just log in to your account to request a check.
If you're not a member, simply sign up to get access to request a check.
Fraudulent activity and plagiarism
We take any activity of the sort very seriously.
Read our document outlining fraudulent activity and plagiarism
