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Engineering Registration and MRA Pathways

Republic of Kenya

Competent Authority

Engineering practice in Kenya is regulated by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). EBK is mandated under section 6 of the Engineers Act 2011 to register engineers and engineering consulting firms, regulate professional engineering services, set engineering standards and develop the general practice of engineering. EBK also provides online services through the eCitizen platform, where users can apply and pay for approved engineering services. (ebk.ecitizen.go.ke)

Key links:

Governing Legislation

The main legislation is the Engineers Act 2011. Under the Act, a “professional engineer” is a person registered as such under section 16, a “consulting engineer” is an engineer registered as such under section 16, and a “graduate engineer” is registered under section 18.

Registration Categories

Kenya’s framework recognises, among others:

  • Graduate Engineer
  • Professional Engineer
  • Consulting Engineer
  • Temporary Professional Engineer
  • Engineering Consulting Firm

Eligibility Requirements

For registration as a professional engineer, the applicant should generally:

  • be registered as a graduate engineer;
  • have obtained the required practical experience;
  • have passed the professional assessment examination conducted by EBK;
  • be a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya; and
  • apply in the prescribed form with the prescribed fee and certified supporting documents.

For registration as a consulting engineer, the applicant should generally:

  • have practised in a specialised engineering field as a professional engineer for the period determined by EBK; and
  • demonstrate the required competence to practise as a consulting engineer in the relevant specialisation.

Foreign Engineers and Firms

A foreign engineer or firm should not assume automatic registration in Kenya. For a foreign natural person, the Engineers Act requires recognised professional qualifications, evidence that the person was practising as a professional engineer before entering Kenya, a valid licence, residence in Kenya and a valid work permit. For a foreign firm, incorporation in Kenya and local shareholding conditions apply.

Temporary Registration

A foreign person may be considered for temporary registration if they are not ordinarily resident in Kenya, intend to be present in Kenya for specific engineering work, and hold recognised qualifications and a valid licence from the country of origin. Temporary registration is tied to the period or duration of the specific work and may not exceed one calendar year, subject to the Act.

Documents Normally Required

Applicants should normally prepare:

  • completed prescribed application form;
  • certified academic certificates;
  • professional registration certificate;
  • practising licence where applicable;
  • proof of professional experience;
  • evidence of current employment or project work for temporary registration;
  • passport or national ID;
  • passport photos where required;
  • proof of fee payment; and
  • any additional documents requested by EBK.

Fees

Fees should always be confirmed through EBK’s official channels. The campaign FAQ draft indicates a current professional engineer registration cost of KES 10,000, but this should be verified before publication or payment.

For engineering consulting firms, the available application form indicates a local firm processing fee of KES 2,000 and registration fee of KES 30,000, and for foreign firms a processing fee of USD 150 and application fee of USD 500. (eProcedures Kenya)