Project Certification

18 Jun Project Certification

Practice note ID: 4.1 (2A)

Status: Approved

Issued: 25 August 2014

Rationale

The purpose of this practice note is to clarify the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland’s (Board) position on issues relating to project certification in the context of the Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Act).

Introduction

Clients or third parties may require professional engineering services to be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ). Under the repealed Professional Engineers Act 1988 (the repealed Act), the certification could be provided by the engineering company as a registered professional engineering company or unit, as well as by an individual RPEQ. Since commencement of the Act on 1 January 2003, registration of a professional engineering company or unit ceased; only individual registration is available.

Requirements of the Act

The Act provides that professional engineering services may only be provided by individuals registered as a RPEQ. The policy objective of the State meeting its obligations under National Competition Policy was achieved by removing the previous legislative requirements for the registration of engineering companies and engineering units, to free up the manner by which the business delivery of engineering services may be conducted.

If pursuant to legislation or by a client or third party, certification is required to be made by a RPEQ, then the certification can only be provided by an individual RPEQ. If several engineering disciplines are involved, then more than one RPEQ may be involved in signing off within their area/s of registration.

Whether certification by a RPEQ/s is required is often a matter of contractual negotiation between the client and the engineering company. Engineering companies should be alert to ensure the terms of their engagement are consistent with the framework of the Act.

Practice

If legislation, a client or third party requires certification, it is consistent with the Act for the project certification to be provided by a senior officer of the engineering company who is a RPEQ.

The certifying RPEQ:

1. should through appropriate investigations satisfy him/herself that overall project meets appropriate standards,
2. takes responsibility for the overall project in terms of compliance with the Act, and
3. takes responsibility for the work of unregistered engineers that he/she supervises.

In carrying out the obligations under clause 4.1, the certifying RPEQ:

1. may rely on work performed by other registered professional engineers who practice in the relevant area, and
2. should be able to identify all RPEQs who provided professional engineering services on the project.

5. References

Related legislation:

The Professional Engineers Act 2002