If you're interested in joining our scheme please make sure you have registered and are logged in first.
When you are ready to make an application, navigate to the Joining Information section on the left and select from Firm, Individual, or Sole Practitioner. Then click on Apply Now to start your application.
The requirement for those signing design certificates for a Building Warrant to hold Chartered Engineer status was included in Regulations introduced in Scotland in 1992.
This Scheme has the same requirement.
Non Chartered Engineers (IStructE or ICE) are not eligible to join the Scheme. However you may still make Building Warrant applications to Local Authorities in the traditional way.
SER Approved Bodies are able to offer clients a faster route to obtaining a Building Warrant than by submitting calculations to the Local Authority.
SER Approved Certifiers are able to offer clients a faster route to obtaining a Building Warrant than by submitting calculations to the Local Authority.
The Scheme requires that all applicants must generally have a minimum of 5 years' building structures design and checking experience.
Applicants with less than 5 years experience should be aware that their application may not be approved on the basis of insufficient experience.
Yes, online payments are our preferred method.
There is also provision to pay via cheque. For payments over £1,000 we are also able to accept payment via BACS.
It is most likely that your application has not been approved because of insufficient building structures design and/or checking experience and reapplication once more experience has been gained is recommended. Feedback will be provided on request to allow you to better understand why your application was not approved.
If, however you are unsatisfied with the results, details of our appeals processes will be included with the email informing you that your application was not successful.
A Sole Practitioner is required to be registered as both an Approved Certifier and an Approved Body.
A Firm is able to apply to join the Scheme as long as it permanently employs an Approved Certifier (i.e. on a permanent rather than contract basis) or there is an application from a Chartered Engineer employed by the firm either pending or accompanying the firm application.
The average length of time from when SER receives the hard copy of an application form to an applicant being accepted onto the Scheme is approximately 10-12 weeks.
This is dependent on the strength of the initial application plus factors such as whether the assessors request further information or for the applicant to attend an interview before a final assessment decision is reached.