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A quick guide to competence assessments

If you’re looking at competence-tested IPENZ Membership or current-competence registration in the future, but have been working too long to take advantage of web-based recordkeeping (more than three years), read on.

Membership or register? Or both?

As an IPENZ Graduate Member you have been placed into a “recommended stream” for one of the below IPENZ competence-based membership class and/or current-competence register depending on your qualifications and accreditation.


Your Qualification
(or equivalent)

4-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE)

3-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech)

2-year Diploma of Engineering (DipEng or NZCE)

IPENZ Competence-based Membership

Professional Member (MIPENZ)

Engineering Technologist (TIPENZ)

Engineering Associate (AIPENZ)

IPENZ-administrated Current-Competence Register*

Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)

Engineering Technology Practitioner (ETPract)

Certified Engineering Technician (CertETn)

IPENZ-administered International Register*

International Professional Engineers (IntPE)

International Engineering Technologist (IntET)

 

* Current-competence registrants must be reassessed at intervals not exceeding five years to maintain registration
When you apply, you will only require a single assessment, so you can apply for membership and registration at the same time and only undergo the one competence assessment!  (Although the international registers have some additional non-competence requirements that must also be met.)

What do I do?

Before applying for competence-tested membership or registration, a Graduate Member needs to have developed and demonstrated the necessary competence standards through work experience (for new graduates this usually takes about four-five years) and verified continued professional development (CPD).
Proof of the above will form the basis of an application for competence-tested membership or registration.
IPENZ also strongly recommends that you identify a mentor to assist you in your initial development. IPENZ National Office can aid you in identifying a mentor if you are unable to do so through your employer or local IPENZ branch. We also provide training seminars for mentors and have an online mentoring guide and a mentoring log to keep your mentoring on track.

Where do I start?

  • Familiarise yourself with the Competence Assessment Reference Guide (CARG), the competence standards and what is required in an application. Keep in mind that the records in your application will eventually be assessed against the competence standard. Use your records to prove that you meet the standard!
  • Find a mentor and arrange a signed agreement.
  • Start to record your work history and CPD activities (we recommend getting into the habit of filling them in every three-to-six months). Regular recordkeeping of work history and CPD will minimise the preparation time for an application.  You can download the electronic application forms to do this and use the online CPD recording tool.

How do I get some guidance?

If you’re thinking about CPEng, check out the CPEng Frequently Asked Questions
Otherwise contact the Competence Development Administrator at IPENZ National Office:
Phone : 04 473 9444
Email : assessment@ipenz.org.nz

OK, I think I’m ready to be assessed!

As a Graduate Member, this will be your first IPENZ competence assessment and you will have to undergo an interactive assessment, which involves a face-to-face interview. For this reason, you will need to time you application with the interactive assessment dates in your area. Check http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/join for these dates.
Your application will need to contain the following:

  • a signed AFA: Assessment for Admission (Form CA01), including the names of two referees
  • Competence Self-Review (Form CA03)
  • Work History Summary form (CA04) or detailed CV or online competence development records
  • Continuing Professional Development Activities form (CA05) or online CPD Activities
  • Referee Declaration and Evaluation (Form CA06) – the completed forms need to be submitted directly to IPENZ by your two referees
  • certified copies of your qualifications (if not already submitted to IPENZ)
  • work samples
  • other information you wish to be considered
  • application fee

For these forms and more information visit http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/join/ or work through the Competence Assessment Reference Guide (CARG)

 

The Assessment Process

Evaluation of application: A panel made up of at least two assessors is appointed to assess your application. As you have not previously undertaken a competence assessment, you should expect to attend an interactive assessment with your Assessment Panel. The panel may also request a controlled written assignment and/or knowledge assessment but it can waive requirement for these if it is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence of competence already presented.

Registration decision: Recommendations from the Assessment Panel are considered by the Competence Assessment Board (CAB). The CAB meets monthly and is the body authorised to make the final decision on your application

Processing time varies depending on the quality of the application. Typically the turnaround time is three months, but any need for assessors to obtain further information from the applicant will add to this. Good luck!