Registered Professional Engineer Queensland (RPEQ)

Advance your career with RPEQ registration

IChemE is an approved assessment entity for the Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) registration. In 2002, the state of Queensland, Australia introduced the ‘Professional Engineers Act’ making it a requirement that professional engineering services in Queensland and the design of buildings, plants, machinery or products for use in Queensland, are carried out by engineers who hold the status of Registered Professional Engineer QLD (RPEQ).

The Act applies extraterritorially, meaning RPEQ registration is still required for any professional engineering services carried out interstate or overseas but destined for Queensland, Australia.

RPEQs can:

  • demonstrate the required level of qualification and competence to practise as a chemical engineer in Queensland, Australia
  • provide critical engineering services to Queensland
  • be subject to an audit of their professional development activities. Audited registrants are required to demonstrate an average of 150 hours of CPD over a three-year continuous period to maintain their registration.

Learn more about RPEQ registration

What is RPEQ registration?

Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) is a professional registration that demonstrates an engineer has the qualifications, competence and experience required to provide professional engineering services in Queensland, Australia. It is a legal requirement for engineers carrying out or taking responsibility for certain engineering work in Queensland, including work undertaken elsewhere that is intended for use in Queensland. IChemE is an approved assessor for RPEQ registration.

What are the benefits of RPEQ registration?

Becoming a RPEQ shows that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out professional engineering work to a recognised standard. It helps build trust with employers and clients and can be essential for engineers working on projects in Queensland.

Who can apply for RPEQ registration?

To meet the academic requirement that Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (Australia) has set for RPEQ, applicants must hold an IChemE-accredited degree at CEng (Full) or a four-year degree recognised under the Washington Accord.

Should applicants not initially meet the requirement then they will need to have their qualification(s) assessed as equivalent via IChemE’s ICP process.

However, although IChemE asks you to provide evidence of work-based learning as part of the ICP process, this cannot be taken into account for RPEQ applications – assessment is purely on the equivalence of academic qualifications against IChemE CEng (Full) or Washington Accord.

Contact our membership team for further information and advice.

How do I get assessed for RPEQ registration?

After meeting the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland (Australia) academic requirements, IChemE’s Chartered Member assessment can be undertaken to join IChemE as a Chartered Member and be assessed for RPEQ.

Existing Chartered Members and Fellows can be assessed for RPEQ by undergoing an additional professional review by RPEQ registered reviewers, providing BPEQ’s academic requirements have been met.

Assessment for RPEQ registration without joining IChemE is also possible, though the standard Chartered Member assessment process will apply.

Existing Chartered Members and Fellows, and those interested in RPEQ registration assessment without joining IChemE, should contact the membership team for further information.

What are the CPD requirements for RPEQ applicants?

CPD requirements for RPEQ applicants can be found on our demonstrating continuing professional development (CPD) page.