Background
ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE)
The ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE) framework was established under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Engineering Services (MRA-ES), signed by all ten ASEAN Member States on 9 December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This agreement forms part of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS), which aims to promote the liberalization and facilitation of cross-border trade in professional engineering services within the ASEAN region.
Information
ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE)
An ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE) is a professional engineer who holds citizenship of an ASEAN Member State and possesses the necessary qualifications and experience, having been registered by the local Monitoring Committee (e.g., the Council of Engineers in Thailand). The registration as an ACPE in Thailand has been implemented since 2014 under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Engineering Services, with the aim of facilitating cross-border professional engineering services within
The ASEAN MRA on Engineering Services, signed in 2005 and further operationalized through country-level arrangements, enables eligible engineers in one ASEAN Member State to be recognized and registered to work in another Member State under certain agreed conditions. To qualify as an ACPE, an engineer typically must:
- Hold a recognized engineering qualification
- Have at least seven years of post-graduate experience, with at least two years in responsible charge of engineering work
- Be registered with the local engineering regulatory body
- Abide by a code of professional conduct and ethics
Upon ACPE registration, the engineer may apply to work across ASEAN under the Host Country’s practice conditions, through the local Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA).
Governance and Oversight
The Monitoring Committee (MC) for the registration of ASEAN and domestic professional engineers is responsible for evaluating and supervising the registration of ACPE candidates.
The Committee ensures adherence to professional standards and ethics. It also has the authority to investigate or revoke registration in cases of non-compliance with established criteria or violations of professional conduct.
Objectives
- To promote the mobility of professional engineers within the ASEAN region by enabling engineers who have been registered as ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers (ACPE) to practice and apply for engineering licenses in other ASEAN Member States under agreed conditions.
- To harmonize and enhance the standards of engineering competence within ASEAN by establishing a framework for qualifications and performance assessment that all Member States can mutually adopt and recognize.
- To strengthen trust among governments, professional bodies, industries, and the public by assuring that engineers who are registered as ACPEs possess the necessary qualifications and professional accountability.
- To support professional development and the exchange of knowledge through training, collaborative research, and engineering-related events across ASEAN Member States.
Benefits
- Mutual Recognition at the Regional Level:
ACPEs may apply for engineering licenses in other ASEAN Member States without undergoing duplicate assessment or meeting additional qualification requirements. - Facilitated Documentation and Regulatory Processes:
Reduces the complexity and duration of documentation and licensing procedures for cross-border practice. - Access to a Professional Network:
ACPEs gain access to regional conferences, workshops, and professional forums at the ASEAN level. - Opportunities for CPD and Mobility:
ACPEs may participate in professional training programs and international engineering development projects to enhance personal and professional growth. - Recognition by Regional Authorities:
ACPE registration is officially recognized by national engineering regulatory bodies across ASEAN, promoting trust and enhancing professional credibility.