INTRODUCTION

It is mandatory for applicants with diploma in engineering to register as Inspector of Works (IOW) if he/she wants to take up employment as an Inspector of Works (IOW). This is in accordance with Section 7(2)(ab) which specified that “an Inspector of Works who is registered with the Board may, subject to section 8, take up employment which requires him to assist the Professional Engineer in the supervision of engineering works”

An Inspector of Works (IOW) is a person registered under subsection 10(E) of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2015).

A registered IOW shall conduct himself /herself honourably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully by following the Code of Conduct as determined by the Board.

The registration of IOW would be under the four (4) main engineering disciplines i.e. Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical.

 

IOWs IN EXISTING PRACTICE

All existing IOW who are currently employed with an Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) have the right to be registered with the Board during the transition period by completing a BEM Declaration Form detailing their supervision experience and responsibilities duly endorsed by a Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate from the ECP they are employed with.

The transition period for registration of existing IOW has been extended to 31st December 2018. After 31^st December 2018, existing IOWs having qualifications not related to engineering such as SPM, Drafting, Architecture, Quantity Surveyor and Science will not be considered for IOW registration until they have obtained the required engineering related qualifications as stated herein for new IOW.    

However due to the numerous late applications from IOW in existing practice, the Board on 19^th May 2020 and 22^nd July 2021, decided to consider applications from existing IOW with relevant experience without the stipulated qualification requirements, to be registered as Intern IOW under Special Cases for Late Application Condition.

 

Special case:

            1.         Nationality: Malaysian

            2.         Has working experience as IOW prior to year 31.12.2018.

            3.         Applied for IOW registration AFTER dateline 31.12.2018

            4.         The qualification programme not accredited or listed by MQA.

            5.         Show cause letter to explain why apply after dateline 31.12.2018.

 

If above criteria are fulfilled, applicant to be registered as “Intern IOW” 

 

NEW IOW NOT YET IN EXISTING PRACTICE

Qualification of IOW to be eventually minimum at Diploma in Engineering accredited by the Board of Engineering Technology Accreditation Council (ETAC) as stated in the Requirements section.

New IOW applicants, without site experience, shall be registered as Intern IOW and must work under the supervision of a registered IOW or a registered Engineer / Engineering Technologist with the minimum stipulated experience. His/her role is to assist his immediate superior(s) having oversight on him/her and is not permitted to certify completion of site works by the Contractor during his/her internship, which shall be carried out by his/her superior(s).

He/she can apply to be a registered IOW subject to the following conditions:

• Diploma holders - minimum 2 years experience, and
• Degree holders   - minimum 1 year experience,

The IOW experience must be verified and endorsed by a PEPC from the same firm(s) for submission complete with the registration application at the end of his/her internship period.

 

EXPERIENCED SITE SUPERVISION PERSONNEL REGISTERING AS IOW

Applicant with the minimum academic qualification and has already acquired the requisite supervision experience situated nationally or internationally, can apply to be registered as IOW without the need to go through the internship period.  His/her experience record shall be endorsed by his/her Employer’s Professional Engineer or Engineering Consultancy Practice to be true before submitting together with his/her application form.

The IOW categorization will not restrict the scope of work an IOW can perform. An IOW can assist in the supervision works of any branch as long as it is supervised (approved) by a Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Engineer with Practicing Certificate (PEPC).

 

REQUIREMENTS

Subsection 10(E) stipulates the qualification for registration as an Inspector of Works with BEM. A person who holds any qualification which is recognized by the Board shall be entitled on application to be registered as Inspector of Works.

The recognized academic qualification for registration as an Inspector of Works with BEM includes the following:

 

1. Engineering Diploma awarded by Malaysia:

• Minimum Diploma in Engineering accredited by the Board’s Engineering Technology Accreditation Council (ETAC)
• Minimum Diploma in Engineering accredited by Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) or equivalent recognised by BEM before 2012.

 

2. Engineering Diploma awarded by Other Country

• Diploma in Engineering accredited by professional body who are signatory of Dublin Accord (DA) is accepted.

DUBLIN ACCORD

• Flowing from the Washington Accord, a similar Agreement was developed for Engineering Technician called the Dublin Accord (DA).
• In Dublin Accord, qualifications accredited or recognised by other signatories are recognised by each signatory as being substantially equivalent to accredited or recognised qualifications for practice as an engineering technician within the engineering team.