Background
The ASEAN MRA on Engineering Services was signed on 9 December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, as part of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). It aims to liberalize and facilitate engineering service mobility across ASEAN nations. Thailand has adopted the MRA through the establishment of the ACPE and RFPE mechanisms, under the authority of COET.
Information
Registered Foreign Professional Engineer (RFPE)
A Registered Foreign Professional Engineer (RFPE) is a professional engineer from an ASEAN Member State, registered under the regulations of the Council of Engineers, Thailand (COET), pursuant to the 2018 Notification on the Registration of Foreign Professional Engineers.
This registration allows qualified ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers (ACPEs) to undertake engineering work in Thailand in collaboration with local licensed professional engineers, under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Engineering Services.
The RFPE system represents the second stage of the MRA framework—ACPE demonstrates regional recognition, while RFPE grants legal rights to practice in the host country, subject to local regulations.
In Thailand, the Council of Engineers (COET) acts as the Professional Regulatory Authority (PRA) and sets additional requirements such as:
- Partnership with a Thai Professional Engineer
- Scope of work limitations
- Code of professional conduct compliance
- Valid work visa and residence permit
Governance and Oversight
The Monitoring Committee (MC) responsible for the registration of both domestic professional engineers and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers is also tasked with supervising the practice of Registered Foreign Professional Engineers (RFPEs).
RFPEs are permitted to work under the condition of “not in independent practice”, meaning they must work in collaboration with a licensed local professional engineer.
The MC ensures that all professional conduct and standards are maintained. It has the authority to issue warnings, suspend or revoke licenses, or proposed regulatory changes as necessary to uphold the quality and integrity of professional engineering services.
Objectives
- To formally recognize the registration of Registered Foreign Professional Engineers (RFPEs), allowing them to legally practice engineering in Thailand in accordance with national laws and international standards.
- To promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and expertise between Thai engineers and foreign professionals.
- To support the implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, such as the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Engineering Services (MRA).
- To ensure that foreign engineering practice in Thailand is conducted with integrity, accountability, and adherence to professional standards for the benefit of the public.
Eligibility & Conditions
To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Be a citizen of an ASEAN Member State
- Be registered as an ACPE
- Hold temporary membership with COET
- Comply with:
4.1 Valid work visa and residence permit
4.2 No independent practice (must work with a Thai engineer and licensed company)
4.3 Thai code of professional conduct
4.4 Scope of work as defined by COET
Application Process
Applications must be submitted to COET with the following:
- Completed application form
- Proof of employment with a licensed Thai engineering company, stating job title and duration
- Copy of passport
- ACPE certificate
- Engineering license or registration from the home country
Once approved:
- Pay the registration fee
- Receive the RFPE certificate, valid for 1 year