MANAMA: The number of licensed engineers in the country has more than doubled in the past seven years, according to a government watchdog.
The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) pointed out a steady increase in licensed engineers in the private and public sector since 2014.
“The number of CRPEP licensed engineers has more than doubled – from 3,241 in 2014 to 6,474 in the third quarter of this year,” said CRPEP executive director Hassan Al Sheikh.
“Eighty-three per cent of those registered are males and remaining 17pc are females.”
Mr Al Sheikh was speaking at a webinar organised by the regulator in partnership with the Bahrain Society of Engineers. It aimed to educate engineers in Bahrain about licensing and its importance.
A majority (34pc) of the licensed individuals were civil engineers, the official pointed out in his presentation, adding that there were 195 authorised engineering offices (72pc Bahraini and 23pc foreign offices) in the country.
He explained that engineers were issued licences under four categories based on their experience.
“The purpose of this webinar is to reach out and educate the engineering community in Bahrain about the importance of obtaining a CRPEP licence in order to practise the profession,” said Mr Al Sheikh.
“Any individual practising the engineering profession, under any job title, should apply for a licence immediately.
“Some claim to be a manager and not an engineer – but they are designing layouts, providing consultancy, conducting inspections or supervising operations. By doing this, they are violating the law.”
Mr Al Sheikh said violators or unlicensed engineers face imprisonment and fine not more than BD5,000 as stipulated by the law.
“Another issue we have is related to freelancers practising the engineering profession, without being affiliated with the public sector, engineering office or any contracting company.”
The watchdog registered five complaints related to engineering practice and took action against violators.
The CRPEP investigated 22 complaints in 2018 while four unlicensed engineering firms were probed in 2017.
It has the power to suspend firms from practising the profession for a period not exceeding three years, to even ordering a permanent closure.
The official explained that in 2014, a new law was introduced to regulate engineering profession in the country.
CRPEP licences are valid for engineers in the public sector until they retire, resign or move to the private sector.
Those in the private sector must renew their licences every year.
Bahraini applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering and should not have had a criminal record or engage in other professions.
The same rules apply for expatriates, but they must also have five years’ experience after obtaining their degrees.
Mr Al Sheikh said non-Bahraini engineers should also have a valid licence from a certified body in their home country, along with five years of experience.
“We come across a lot of cases where the licence has expired and the holder did not submit a renewal application, while continuing to work in the country.
“It is important for all engineers to check the validity of the CRPEP licence issued to them. Any engineering office that hires an unlicensed engineer is also violating the law.”
Meanwhile, also chairing the webinar was the regulator’s board chairman Mariam Jumaan who said they modified their work due to Covid-19, and urged individuals to contact them for queries.
“We are here to support the engineering community and the sector in Bahrain, and would like to keep the dialogue open with them,” Ms Jumaan said.
The watchdog is accepting applications for licence renewals for 2021. For more information contact 17534747 or visit www.crpep.bh.
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