Engineering Professional Practice

Chapter 3:
Roles of Professional Organization in
Regulation and Professional
Development
(4 hours)
Er. Santosh Ojha
Lecturer
Pokhara Engineering
College (Affiliated to
Pokhara University)
 3. Roles of Professional Organization in
Regulation and Professional Development
1. Regulation of the practice of engineering profession
2. Objectives of NEC and its licensing provision
3. Codes of ethics and guidelines for professional engineering practice-
the NEC code of conduct
4. Roles of professional organizations in induction of new entrants into
the profession
5. Upgrading and maintaining the professional and technical
competence of members of professional associations
6. Providing technical expertise to public authorities in
developing policies, acts, standards, project implementation
procedures and international agreements and negotiations
7. Ensuring occupational health, safety and general welfare of
the public
8. Role of professional societies in environmental protection
3.1 Regulation of the practice of engineering profession
One of the fundamental roles of professional associations is to
regulate the professional practices of the persons or institutes
engaged in a particular profession. For example, the Federation of
Contractors’ Association of Nepal (FCAN) regulates the ways
contractors, whether persons or companies, act when performing
duties related to their profession, through:
developing guidelines and procedures to be followed by its
members,
developing minimum standards of profession,
developing and issuing codes of conduct to be followed among
FCAN members,
developing and approving written and unwritten rules of the
profession,
preparing standard procedure and formats of preparing and
submitting bids,
3.1 Regulation of the practice of engineering profession
monitoring and evaluating compliance of the rules and
taking actions against those who break of the rules and/or code
of conduct.

Similarly, the Nepal Engineering Council (NEC) tries to regulate

engineering profession by developing policies, plans and
programs for the smooth functioning of the engineering
profession and to execute them. The NEC also regulates higher
engineering education in Nepal through evaluation, recognition
and monitoring of academic institutes providing formal
engineering education.
 Professional Body
An independent body that regulates the practice of
professionals and governs it’s member according to rules
and law of country in order to serve and protect public
interest.
Types of Professional Body:-
There are different types of professional body in the world
for different professional according to their mission. In
Nepal broadly their exist 2 types of professional body.
1. The body responsible for regulating engineering
practice and accreditation of engineers. Examples-
NEC, NMC.
2. The body responsible for professional rights and
career developments. Examples- NEA, SONA,
SOPHEN.
Professional Association
 3.2 Objectives of NEC and its licensing provision
Nepal Engineering Council (NEC):-It is an autonomous body
which is established on march 11, 1999 under NEC Act 2055 with
the mission of regulating engineering profession effectively and
scientifically. It provides license to the engineer according to their
qualification. NEC is professional body established to regulate the
engineering profession and education in the country.
Objectives:-
The objective of NEC is to make the engineering profession
effective by mobilizing it in a more systematic and scientific and
also to register the engineers as per their qualifications. Its duties
and responsibilities are:
1. To prepare policies, plans and programs for the smooth
functioning of the engineering profession and to execute
them.
2. To set norms and standards for engineering education in
Nepal.
 3.2 Objectives of NEC and its licensing provision
3. To grant permission and approval to carry out engineering
education to those engineering colleges and institutions
that meet the required norms and standards and to honor
their degrees and certificates.
4. To monitor and inspect the quality of engineering
education provided by the engineering colleges and
institutions.
5. To fix the qualification necessary in order to practice
engineering profession and to register their name in the
Council.
6. To remove their name from the registration of the
engineering council if found to violate the code of ethics.
Nepal Engineering Council Act & Regulations
Nepal Engineering Council Act & Regulations
Nepal Engineering Council Act & Regulations
Organization Formation of NEC
Nepal Engineering Council Act & Regulations
 Registration Process in NEC
Appropriate registration in a professional society has become essential to
practice a profession of today society. For registration the concern
professional society fix the eligibility of criteria. In general the following
qualification are to be made for registration.
1. Educational qualification:- A bachelor degree in engineering (4
years duration)
2. Experience/Trainings:- No any experience and trainings required
for registration.
3. Examination:-There is provision of exam start from 2079-06-04
B.S. for engineering license certificate.
Required Documents:-
• Application letter in approval format.
• Certificate of minimum academic qualification.
• Registration fee (Exam-Rs. 2500+Registration-Rs. 5200 for
Nepalese & Rs.4400- Foreign Univ.)
• Citizenship and photo
• Recommendation of two registered engineers with copy of
 Registration Category of engineers as per NEC
The NEC has provision for registering the engineers into following three
categories.:
A. General registered engineer:- Any engineer desiring to practice
engineering profession within the country can apply for membership
under this category, which requires a Bachelor Degree in
Engineering and a Exam fee of Rs. 2500 & Registration fee of Rs.
5200.
B. Professional Engineer:- Any engineer having Masters Degree or Post
Graduate Diploma in the approved engineering field may apply for
membership under this category, which requires a fee of Rs.10,000.
C. Non-Nepali registered engineer:-Any non-Nepali engineer desiring
to work in Nepal may apply for registration under this category. For
this, such engineer shall have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and
minimum 10 years of experience in engineering field. The fee for
this category is Rs.15000.
The registered engineer requires to take an oath of maintaining honesty,
loyalty and to be dutiful towards the engineering profession before
receiving registration certificate from NEC.
 Registration Fee and Required Documents as per NEC
B. Fee Information
1. Exam Fee - Rs.2,500/-(to be deposited at the time of online application)
Candidates who had Paid Rs 3500/- at previous exam has been adjusted Rs 1000/- and
they have to pay Rs 1500/- only when they reapply for exam(second time)

2. Registration Fee: Rs 5000/- + Id card charges Rs. 200/-.

Total Rs 5,200/- (to be deposited at NEC Account, After passing the exam)
For adjustment of Rs. 1000 in exam fee deposited, Those who had paid Rs 3,500/- for exam
fee, have to pay Rs 4,200/- only
C. Required Documents (Notarized copy of all the document must be uploaded.)
1. Nepalese Citizenship Certificate
2. Mark Sheet of SEE
3. Character Certificate of SEE
4. Transcript of 10+2
5. Character Certificate of 10+2
6. Transcript / Semester wise mark sheet of the Bachelor's degree.
7. Character certificate of the Bachelor's degree/ Documents showing duration of study.
8. Degree / Provisional certificate of bachelor's degree issued by university.
9. Equivalance certificate from authorized agency of nepal government is required for
student studied from abroad for SEE, 10+2 or Bachelor (If applicable)
10. NEC Registration Certificates of two registered engineer.(Notary not necessary)
11. One Passport size photo.
Online Examination Schedule
 Licensing Provision of NEC
Licensing is one of the means of regulating profession. The
organization provided engineering services are expected to obtain
approval from professional organization. Before starting their
business apart from fulfilling the legal requirements.
Licensing for individual engineers is provided by NEC in the form of
registration. As per clause 11 of NEC Act “ No Person shall practice
the engineering profession without getting his/her name register in
the council.” Offenders are subject to fine Rs. 10000 or Jail upto 3
months or both.
Objectives of NEC related to Licensing of Engineering Professionals:-
a. To fix the qualification necessary in order to practice
engineering profession and to register their name in the
Council.
b. To remove their name from the registration of the
engineering council if found to violate the code of ethics.
 3.3 Code of Conduct/Ethics of NEC
Code of conduct/ethics is the moral guidelines and the standard
developed by the professional society and is obeyed by the members of
the society. Violation of such code of ethics is subjected to disciplinary
action.
The NEC, which was established in 1999 as regulating body for
engineering profession has developed the following code of ethics:
1. Discipline and Honesty: The Engineering service/profession must
be conducted in a disciplined manner with honesty, not
contravening professional dignity and well-being.
2. Politeness and secrecy: Engineering services for customers should
be conduct with in a polite manner and professional information
should remain secret except with written or verbal consent of the
customers concerned. This, however, is not deemed to be a
restriction to provide such information to the concerned authority
as per the existing laws.
3. Non-discrimination: No discrimination should be made against
customers on the grounds of religion, sex, caste or any other
things while applying professional knowledge and skills.
 Code of Conduct/Ethics of NEC
4. Shall have to do only the concerned Professional Work:
Individuals should only do professional work in their field or
provide recommendation or suggestions only within the area of
their study or obtained knowledge or skills. With regards to the
works not falling within the subject of one's profession , such as
works should be recommended to be done by an experts of the
subject matter.
5. Not to do such works, which may cause harm to the
engineering profession: With the exception of
salary, allowance, and benefits to be received for services
provided, one shall not obtain improper financial gain of any
kind of conduct improper activities of any kinds, which would
impair the engineering profession.
6. Personal responsibility: All individuals will be
personally responsible for all works performed in connection
with his/her engineering profession.
 Code of Conduct/Ethics of NEC
7. State name ,designation and registration number: While
signing the documents or descriptions such as the design , map
, specification and estimates etc relating to the Engineering
profession , the details should include, the name , designation
and NEC registration No. and should be stated in a clear
and comprehensive manner.
8. No publicity or advertisement must be made which cause
unnecessary effects: In connection with the professional
activities to be carried out, no publicity or advertisement shall
be made so as to cause unnecessary effects upon the
customers.
Nepal Engineering Council Act & Regulations
 Nepal Engineering Association (NEA)
It is the independent and non-political organization which
regulates a practice of professional engineers of Nepal in National
development. It was established in 1962 (2019 BS).
It governs Nepalese engineers of various discipline according to
rules and regulation of country in order to serve and protect
public interest. NEA safeguards the right and strength of the
professional by providing pressure to the different authority. It
also promotes the professional capacity of engineers by
introducing different program, training and seminar etc. NEA is
governed by 18+7=25 members (7 members from each province).
Objectives of NEA:-
1. To promote development of the engineering science and
technology in Nepal.
2. To promote fellowship goodwill and cooperation
assistance among the Nepalese engineers and safeguard
their rights and interests.
 Nepal Engineering Association (NEA)
Objectives of NEA:-
3. By utilizing, to the highest extent possible, the
participation of the national engineering manpower of the
country in the national development activities of Nepal,
make effort towards ending foreign dependency in this
regard.
4. To continuously enhance the highest professional ideas
among the members and widen it.
5. To develop relations, fellowship and goodwill with
international engineering associations and institutions.

Similarly, SCAEF deals with approval to provide engineering

consulting services, and the Computer Association of Nepal
(CAN) deals with approval to provide software development
services in Nepal.
Nepal Engineering Association (NEA)
 Differences between NEC and NEA
NEC NEA
Statutory body, established under NEC An NGO, established in 1962.
Act, in 1999
Must register before practicing Registration/membership is voluntary.
engineering profession
Executive body by election and Executive body by election
nomination
Evaluates and approves establishment of No such provision
academic institutes offering engineering
programs
Offers different categories of engineering No such provision
profession: general, professional, foreign
Monitors academic institutes offering No such provision
engineering programs (every year for
temporary approval and every other year
for permanent approval), and cancels
approval if found not up to standard
The directives and code of conduct issued The directives and code of conduct issued
are mandatory are voluntary
Board Members: 18 Board Members:18+7
3.4 Roles of professional organizations in induction
of new entrants into the profession
Another major role of the professional associations is to
guide new entrants into the profession by
• providing orientation and training,
• guiding on the conventions of the profession,
• providing information of the profession,
• potential pitfalls when the Code of Conduct are not
followed,
• linking the new comers with established members of
the profession.
• Guiding on general job description and employers’
expectation from new recruits
• Training new entrants for job seekers, proposal writing,
bidding, project terms and conditions negotiation, etc.
 3.5 Upgrading and maintaining the professional and
technical competence of members of professional association
Professional societies take various steps for upgrading and maintaining the
professional and technical competence of its members by
• Organizing regular professional development courses and continuing education
programs, like running Engineering Staff College
• Organizing skill development oriented training programs
• Organizing regular talk programs to share experiences and lessons learned from
different projects
• Providing platform for its members to expose their works by organizing national
and international seminars/workshops on regular basis
• Publishing technical journals and news bulletin
• Organizing exposure field visits to different projects
• Providing exposure to national and international experiences by organizing
national and international visits to its members
• Proactively working with academic institutes on development and update of
university curriculums
• Proactively working with research institutes for involving its members in research
and development activities
• Proactively working with service providing organizations (consulting companies,
contractors, material suppliers, software developers, equipment operators) to
establish link of its members with established organizations.
 3.5 Upgrading and maintaining the professional and
technical competence of members of professional association
Some of the ways in which the professional associations in Nepal have
been playing this role in Nepal are:
• Providing Continuing Education Programs (NEA, SCAEF, FCAN, CAN)
• Engineering Staff College (proposed by NEA, not yet fulfilled)
• Provision of Professional Engineer (NEC)
• Provision of periodic test as part of NEC registration renewal
(proposed)
• Professional Development as part of evaluation of engineering
colleges (NEA)
• Organizing professional meeting/seminar/conferences/conclave:
(NEA, SCAEF, FCAN, CAN…)
• Organizing trainings, weekly lecture series (NEA);
http://www.neanepal.org.np/showmodule.php?what=weeklytalk&under=home
• Organizing workshop on specific issues related to engineering education in Nepal
(NEC, AECON)
Some examples: Rapid Assessment Training after April 25, 2015 Gorkha Earthquake;
recommendations after Jure Landslide
 3.6 Providing technical expertise to public authorities in
developing policies, acts, standards, project implementation
procedures and international agreements and negotiations
• The legislators and other governmental organizations frequently
seek technical expertise from professional associations in the
development, drafting and amendments to the existing acts, rules,
regulations, policies, guidelines, bylaws, provisions, plans and
programs.
• NEC, NEA, SCAEF, FCAN, CAN and other professional organizations
provide technical expertise to different government organizations,
including legislators, as and when requested. When these
professional associations do not have in-house expertise, they
coordinate with individual (or institutional) members to provide
such services.
• NEA and DPNet independently conducted study of Jure Landslide
(Sunkoshi) in 2014 and submitted expert advice to deal with the
disaster.
(https://drive.google.com/a/nec.edu.np/file/d/0B19Ck0L5dMSrUklZUDN2dk5lZUx6aEtCYnpmenp2TjFId2kw/edit)
 3.7 Ensuring occupational health, safety and
general welfare of the public
• The professional engineering associations are expected to play the
role of monitors of quality of works of its members, including the
matter of safety and general welfare of the public.
• When a particular member is found to violate the codes of conduct,
compromise on quality of works, and neglect public safety and public
welfare, the concerned professional engineering association can warn
them, and reprimand/cancel their membership.
• NEC is planning to introduce a system of Accountability in Engineering
Professional services.
• The standard design manuals, design procedures, building codes,
including professional judgments will be evaluated as a part of safety
and general welfare of public in engineering works.
• NEC/NEA/ SCAEF/FCAN etc. can monitor provision of occupational
health, safety and general welfare of workers and general public in
specific projects.
3.8 Role of professional societies in environment protection
• Raise awareness among society members, public decision makers,
and legislators on environment & sustainable development issues;
work with universities in developing environment protection courses
• Circulate environment protection related acts, rules and regulations
to society members
• Study and publish results of impacts (short term and long term) of
development works on environment
• Develop manuals and guidelines on design, operation and
maintenance of development projects by considering environment
protection
• Conduct training courses on environmental law compliance
• Conduct advocacy programs for environment sensitive development
methods
• Monitor specific development projects from environment protection
aspect and suggest improvements, if needed, in carrying out project
works with environment compliance with EIA/IEE Report.
• Award organizations with excellent environment protection records.
 Self test
• Briefly discuss the code of ethics of Nepal Engineering Council.
• Explain the code of ethics applicable to engineering profession.
• How do you judge the ethical standard of Engineers in Nepal?
Describe the role of Nepal Engineering Council in maintaining
ethical standard of Nepalese Engineers.
• What are the meaningful roles of professional societies or
associations? Why are they needed? Explain.
• Explain roles of Engineering council and Nepal Engineers
Association. In what regards, they are different?
• What are the general job descriptions of engineers working in
public sector?
• Describe the basic duties of an engineer.