Engineer's Mobility

International Engineering Alliance (IEA)

The International Engineering Alliance (IEA) is a global not-for-profit organisation, which comprises members from 36 jurisdictions within 27 countries, across seven international agreements. These international agreements govern the recognition of engineering educational qualifications and professional competence (*1).　Japan is currently signatory of APEC Engineers Agreement, International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA) .

*1: http://www.ieagreements.org/

APEC Engineer Project

The APEC Osaka meeting in November 1995 adopted The Osaka Action Agenda.
To attain sustainable growth and equitable development in the Asia-Pacific region, it lists several items including facilitation of mobility of qualified persons in the region through bilateral agreements between interested APEC economies. Such agreement calls for the mutual recognition of each other’s professional qualifications.
This led to the establishment of the APEC Engineer Project in Human Resources Development Working Group of APEC (APEC HRD Working Group), and the launch of studies that recognize the engineering qualifications of other countries.

November 1st, 2000, the APEC Engineer requirements were established and published in the form of the APEC Engineer Manual (Blue Book, published by APEC Coordinating Committee).
This was followed by the formation of an assessment and registration of APEC Engineers recognized in seven different economies (Japan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong China, South Korea, Malaysia and New Zealand). There are currently 14 economies included in the APEC Engineer framework, i.e. Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States of America.

International Professional Engineers Agreement

Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF) was a result of an agreement among the Washington Accord signatories to explore mutual recognition for experienced Engineers. The Agreement was signed in Thornybush, South Africa on June 25th, 2001. It has been superseded by the International Professional Engineers Agreement (IPEA), which came into effect on January 1st, 2013. The IPEA provides a framework for the recognition of standard with substantial equivalency of standards and established a quality assurance system that assesses the competency of engineers interested in independent practice. Current Permanent Members include: Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States. IPEJ started the EMF Engineer registration in April 2008. Those listed under Japan’s section of the International Professional Engineers registry are entitled to use the title IntPE(Jp).

The IntPE(Jp) Registration is essentially the same as the APEC Engineer Register.

Engineers from Overseas

Mutual Recognition Agreement:

Japan has “A BILATERAL FRAMEWORK TO FACILITATE MOBILITY FOR MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF REGISTERED / LICENSED ENGINEERS” with Australia represented by Engineers Australia, for designated technical disciplines. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is in charge.

Those who are currently registered as APEC Engineer and/or IntPE outside Japan:

Those who are currently registered as APEC Engineer and/or IntPE outside Japan are recognized substantially equivalent to Japanese Professional Engineers registered as APEC Engineer and/or IntPE in Japan Section. (This recognition does not carry registration as a Professional Engineer (Japan): P.E.Jp)

Want be registered as a Professional Engineer (Japan)? :

If you want to be registered as a Professional Engineer in Japan, P.E.Jp , you need to pass Japanese Professional Engineer Examination.
Japanese Professional Engineer Examination consists of the 1st stage exam (multiple choice) and the 2nd stage exam (multiple choice(*2) + essay + interview). Any person can take the 1st stage PE Exam without any restrictions on age, academic background, and nationality.
(*2 For the discipline of Engineering Management)

To apply for the 2nd stage PE Exam, an applicant is required to have passed the 1st stage PE Exam or equivalent qualification including completion of JABEE accredited programs, as well as to have designated job experiences.
These exams are carried out in Japanese language only.

For Washington Accord graduates who have completed the programs accredited by its signatories within their respective jurisdictions:

From the 2022 PE Exam, Washington Accord graduates who have completed the programs accredited by its signatories within their respective jurisdictions, are eligible to exempt the first-stage PE Exam. (Conditions apply)

IPEJ Membership:

Eligibility to join a professional engineers association might differ from country to country.
To become our member, you need to be a registered Professional Engineer here in Japan.

P.E.Jp’s status:

Unlike lawyers, architects, and accountants, P.E.Jp does not have an exclusive right on business territory assured by law or regulation. It is basically a name-exclusive qualification i.e. only P.E.Jp can use the Japanese title “Gijyutu-shi”.
Therefore, any foreigner can work as an engineer in Japan subject to other requirements including working visa are met.
However, in certain business area including consulting engineering, a company is requested to retain P.E.Jp(s) to register as a construction consultant to participate in bidding for public works projects.