Scheme Guide

The Scheme Guide sets out the principles of the Scheme together with matters such as criteria for membership, the duties of Approved Certifiers and Approved Bodies and membership processes. It is essential that those considering joining the Scheme familiarise themselves with its content before making an application.

August 2021

 

Amendment to section 4.4.1 of the Scheme Guide

During 2022, the Institution of Structural Engineers undertook a review of their membership grades to ensure that the competency of members at particular grades is properly recognised and that there is clarity in the grade titles and associated designations. The result of this review was that suitably qualified graduate members of the Institution can now be admitted to the professional grade of Associate (AIStructE), and subsequently register as Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Engineering Council.

This change has been reviewed by the SER Board of Directors and by the Scottish government’s Building Standards Division, who have agreed that the new AIStructE grade is appropriate to be added to the qualifying criteria to apply to become an SER Certifier, noting that this is only an entry point to apply and that all other requirements for membership will still have to be met. The new AIStructE grade has therefore been added to the list of qualifications acceptable as an entry point to apply to become an SER Certifier, and section 4.4.1 of the Scheme Guide will be amended as follows:

4.4.1 Membership of the Scheme is restricted to engineers who are Fellows, Members or Associates of IStructE (i.e. FIStructE, MIStructE or AIStructE) or Chartered members of ICE (i.e. CEng MICE, or CEng FICE) or to those who hold a professional qualification of equal standing to chartered engineer from an equivalent overseas institution as determined by SER. Generally, they must also have a minimum of five years’ recent relevant experience of the design of building structures.