Engineering is one of the world’s most respected and coveted professions.
If you asked a primary school child what he/she wants to become after growing up, many would mention Medical doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Pilot etc.
Similarly, the contribution of engineers is very prominent in the big four Agenda as outlined by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
If we talk about universal health care, we can’t achieve it without Engineers setting up facilities infrastructure to support this.
If you talk about manufacturing, then 80% of that sector relies on Engineers.
If we talk about Food Security then we know there is a lot of input needed from Water Engineers.
As such, this article looks into everything you need to know about working as an engineer in Kenya.
What is Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
EBK was created by Engineers Act 2011 and is a statutory body for regulation of the engineering profession in Kenya.
Through the same act, they have powers to accredit engineering degree programs offered in both private and public university in Kenya.
How to register a consulting firm in Kenya
Here is the procedure:
1. An Applicant for a consulting firm shall lodge an application by filling FORM EBK4 ( IN BLOCK LETTERS) available at the EBK’s customer information desk and the website
2. The Application shall be accompanied by the following documents certified by the commissioner of oaths:-
Certified Copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association for body corporate
Certified Copy of Partnership Agreement for partners
Statutory Declaration for the directors drawn by a commissioner of oaths
Certified Copy of certificate of incorporation for body corporate
Certified Copy of Business registration
Certified Copies of practising licenses of the engineers employed
Certified Copies of academics and professional certificates
Signed copies of Curriculum Vitae for the directors
Certified Copy of PIN certificate
Certified Copy of VAT certificate
Certified Copy of valid Tax Compliance certificate
Copies of ID/Passport
Passport size photographs
CR 12- List of Directors/ Shareholders from the company registry
List of Equipment’s
3. All shareholders must be professional engineers. One principal shareholder should be a consulting engineer and should be the one to have the power of attorney.
4. In case of a foreign firm incorporated in Kenya a minimum of 51 per cent shares to be held by Kenyan citizens. The rest of the engineers, if foreign must be registered by respective bodies of their country of origin and also Engineers Board of Kenya as Temporary Engineers. The rest of the details remain the same as per 1 & 2 above.
5. The Applicant shall pay Kshs. 2,000 as processing fee, Kshs30,000 as registration fee and Kshs30,000 as an annual licence fee for local firms. Foreign firms to pay Kshs500,000as application fee and Kshs. 750,000 as annual licence fee.
6. The Board will approve or reject the application and the applicants will be notified in writing.
7. Payment should be made to :
BANK: NATIONAL BANK OF KENYA
ACCOUNT NO. 01001031539000
ACOUNT NAME: ENGINEERS BOARD OF KENYA
BRANCH: HILL PLAZA
How to register as a consulting engineer
1. Ensure that you meet the following qualifications:
Registered with EBK as a Professional Engineer;
Must have at least 9 years continuous professional experience of which 5 years will be post-registration as a professional engineer;
2. Fill in the Application Form; available on our website or at the EBK’s Customer Information Desk.
3. Attach the below-listed documents:
Certified copy of Degree Certificate and other relevant academic certificates;
Certified copy of National Identity Card (ID)/ Passport;
EBK Professional Engineer Certificate;
IEK Membership Certificate;
Curriculum Vitae (CV) certified by one of the referees;
Two coloured passport photos.
Note: Certification to be done by the Commissioner of Oaths whose names and address are fully displayed on the Rubber Stamp:
4. Applicant should deposit KSh. 20,000.00 application fee at EBK’s Bank Account. The
Account Name: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account No: 01001031539000
Bank: National Bank. Hill Plaza
5. Drop your application together with the Bank Slip at the Customer Information Desk.
6. After all the documents are received, the Board will do administrative review of the documents and if there are any deficiencies the Secretariat will advise the applicant accordingly.
7. The Board will contact the nominated referees. Upon receiving at least two responses, the application will be forwarded to the chairman of the panel of the respective discipline for technical evaluation.
8. The Panel will do a technical evaluation and notify the applicant in writing of the intention to sit for professional interview.
9. After the applicant has sat for the professional interview the recommendations will be forwarded to the Board for deliberations and ratifications.
10. The applicant will be notified in writing of the Board’s recommendations and thereafter a certificate of registration will be issued to successful applicants.
How to register as a professional engineer
1. Ensure that you meet the following qualifications:
Registered with EBK as a Graduate Engineer;
Have at least 3years working experience from the date of registration as a Graduate Engineer;
Have worked under the supervision of a Professional Engineer.
2. Fill in the Application Form; available on our website or at the EBK’s Customer Information Desk.
3. Attach the below-listed documents:
Certified copy of Degree Certificate and other relevant academic certificates;
Certified copy of National Identity Card (ID)/ Passport;
EBK Graduate Engineer Certificate;
IEK Membership Certificate or Receipt of application;
Curriculum Vitae (CV) certified by one of the referees;
Two coloured passport photos.
Note: Certification to be done by the Commissioner of Oaths whose names and address are fully displayed on the Rubber Stamp:
4. Applicant should deposit KSh. 10,000.00 application fee at EBK’s Bank Account.
Account Name: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account No: 01001031539000
Bank: National Bank. Hill Plaza
5. Drop your application together with the Bank Slip at the Customer Information Desk.
6. After all the documents are received, the Board will carry out an administrative review of the documents and if there are any deficiencies the Secretariat will advise the applicant accordingly.
7. The Board will contact the nominated referees. Upon receiving at least two responses, the application will be forwarded to the chairman of the panel of the respective discipline for technical evaluation.
8. The Panel will carry out a technical evaluation and present their recommendations to the Board for approval of submission of professional interview documents.
9. The Board will notify the applicant in writing the approval to sit for the professional interview and forward to them the notes and rules on the conduct of the professional interview.
10. The applicant should prepare, submit and sit for his / her professional interview within (1) one year from the date of notification.
11. After the applicant has sat for the professional interview the recommendations will be forwarded to the Board for deliberations and ratifications.
12. The applicant will be notified in writing of the Board’s recommendations and thereafter a certificate of registration will be issued to successful applicants.
How to register as a graduate engineer
1. Fill in the Application Form; available on our website or at the EBK’s Customer Information Desk.
2. Attach the required documents: the documents should be certified by the Commissioner of Oaths. These documents include:
Copy of Degree Certificate and other relevant academic certificates
Copy of KCSE Certificate
Copy of National Identity Card (ID)
Two coloured passport photos
3. Graduates from Foreign universities, please attach certified copies of the transcripts, address/email address of the university and the contact person.
4. Applicant should deposit KSh. 4,000.00 for application fee at EBK’s Bank Account. We do NOT receive cash.
The Account Name is: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account No: 01001031539000
Bank: National Bank. Hill Plaza
5. Drop your application together with the Bank Slip at the Customer Information Desk.
6. After the Bank Slip has been receipted, you will be given an acknowledgement letter showing that you have applied as a Graduate Engineer and your application is awaiting processing by the Board.
7. The Board will approve/reject the application, the applicant will be sent a letter indicating that his/her application has been approved/rejected.
8. The applicants whose applications are approved will thereafter be issued with Registration Certificates.
Temporary Registration ( Foreign registration)
Find here below the requirements which have to be met by those Engineers who are not ordinarily residents in Kenya but intend to be present in Kenya in the capacity of a Registered Engineer for a period not exceeding one year or for the duration of any specific work for which he/she has been engaged as per Section 12 of the Engineers Act.
1. Academic Qualification Documents e.g. degrees etc.
2. Certificate of Registration from a registration body in the country of origin with a letter from that body indicating the category of Registration and the current registration status.
3. Current practising licence from the country of origin.
4. A letter from the employer in the country of origin certifying that he/she has been practising Engineering before entering Kenya.
5. Detailed Curriculum Vitae duly signed on all the pages.
6. A letter from Employer in Kenya stating what he/she is coming to do and for how long.
7. A copy of the contract showing the duration of the project.
8. A copy of a work permit.
9. They should also submit to the Board contact address,
Telephone Nos. Faxes and E-mails of the following:-
Institutions where they graduated from.
Their Engineering Registration body.
Their Employer before entering Kenya.
Application Fees – Kshs. 150,000/=
Annual Licence Fee – Kshs. 150,000/=
How to register as an accredited checker
1. Ensure that you meet the following qualifications:
Registered with EBK as a Consulting Engineer;
Must have at least 15 years relevant and proven experience in design and construction management specific to the work to be checked;
Must satisfy the Board of his/her special knowledge or practical experience by virtue of his/her ability in the profession;
2. Fill in the Application Form; available on our website or at the EBK’s Customer Information Desk.
3. Attach the below-listed documents:
Certified copy of Degree Certificate and other relevant academic certificates;
Certified copy of National Identity Card (ID)/ Passport;
EBK Consulting Engineer Certificate;
IEK Membership Certificate;
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting the 15 years relevant and proven experience in the specialized field certified by one of the referees;
Two coloured passport photos.
Note: Certification to be done by the Commissioner of Oaths whose names and address are fully displayed on the Rubber Stamp:
4. Applicant should deposit KSh. 25,000.00 application fee at EBK’s Bank Account. The
Account Name: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account No: 01001031539000
Bank: National Bank. Hill Plaza
5. Drop your application together with the Bank Slip at the Customer Information Desk.
6. After all the documents are received, the Board will do an administrative review of the documents and if there are any deficiencies the Secretariat will advise the applicant accordingly.
7. The Board will contact the nominated referees. Upon receiving at least two responses, the application will be forwarded to the chairman of the panel of the respective discipline for technical evaluation.
8. The Panel will carry out a technical evaluation and recommend to the Board approval for registration.
9. The Panel may invite an applicant to elaborate or clarify their submissions
10. The applicant will be notified in writing of the Board’s decision and thereafter a certificate of registration will be issued to successful applicants.
Note: The registration shall be valid for one year and upon expiry one may apply for renewal in the prescribed form and pay the prescribed fees
Payment Options
1. Annual subscription fee payment
Annual subscription fees can be made through bank deposits or M-Pesa payments as follows;
Bank deposits
Bank Name: National Bank of Kenya
Bank Branch: Hill Plaza
Account Name: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account Number: 01001031539000
Amount:
Graduate Engineers – Ksh. 4,000.00
Professional Engineers – Ksh. 10,000.00
Consulting Engineers – Ksh. 20,000.00
Consulting Firm – Ksh. 30,000.00
Temporary Professional Engineers – Ksh. 150,000.00
Accredited Checkers – Ksh. 25,000.00
2. M-PESA payments
Select “Pay Bill” from the M-Pesa menu.
Enter the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) business number 839300.
Enter your EBK Registration Number e.g.
For Graduate Engineers – B…
For Professional Engineers – A…
For Consulting Engineers – E…
For Consulting Firm – ECF…
Enter the amount
For Graduate Engineers – Ksh. 4,000.00
For Professional Engineers – Ksh. 10,000.00
For Consulting Engineers – Ksh. 20,000.00
For Consulting Firm – Ksh. 30,000.00
Enter your M-Pesa PIN.
Confirm that all details are correct.
Press “SEND”.
3. Application fee payment
Application fees can be made through bank deposits or M-Pesa payments as follows;
Bank deposits
Bank Name: National Bank of Kenya
Bank Branch: Hill Plaza
Account Name: Engineers Board of Kenya
Account Number: 01001031539000
Amount:
Graduate Engineers – Ksh. 4,000.00
Professional Engineers – Ksh. 10,000.00
Consulting Engineers – Ksh. 20,000.00
Consulting Firm processing fee – Ksh. 30,000.00
Temporary Professional Engineers – Ksh. 150,000.00
Accredited Checkers – Ksh. 25,000.00
M-PESA payments
Select “Pay Bill” from the M-Pesa menu.
Enter the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) business number 839300.
Enter your EBK Registration Number e.g.
For Graduate Engineers – GRADAPP
For Professional Engineers – PROFAPP
For Consulting Engineers – CONSAPP
For Consulting Firm – ECFAPP
Enter the amount
For Graduate Engineers – Ksh. 4,000.00
For Professional Engineers – Ksh. 10,000.00
For Consulting Engineers – Ksh. 20,000.00
For Consulting Firm – Ksh. 30,000.00
Enter your M-Pesa PIN.
Confirm that all details are correct.
Press “SEND”.
Functions of EBK
1. Receive, consider, make decisions on applications for registration and register approved applications;
2. Keep and maintain the Register;
3. Publish the names of registered and licensed persons under the Act;
4. Issue licences to qualified persons under the provisions of the Act;
5. Publish and disseminate materials relating to its work and activities;
6. Carry out inquiries on matters pertaining to the registration of engineers and practice of engineering;
7. Enter and inspect sites where construction, installation, erection, alteration, renovation, maintenance, processing or manufacturing works are in progress for the purpose of verifying that –
professional engineering services and works are undertaken by registered persons under the Act;
standards and professional ethics and relevant health and safety aspects are observed;
8. Assess, approve or reject engineering qualifications of foreign persons intending to offer professional engineering services or works;
9. Evaluate other engineering programmes both local and foreign for recognition by the Board;
10. Enter and inspect business premises for verification purposes or for monitoring professional engineering works services and goods rendered by professional engineers;
11. Instruct, direct or order the suspension of any professional engineering services works, projects, installation process or any other engineering works, which are done without meeting the set-out standards
12. Approve and accredit engineering programs in public and private universities and other tertiary level educational institutions offering education in engineering;
13. Set standards for engineers in management, marketing, professional ethics, environmental issues, safety, legal matters or any other relevant field;
14. Prepare detailed curriculum for registration of engineers and conduct professional examinations for the purposes of registration;
15. Establish a school of engineering and provide facilities and opportunities for learning, professional exposure and skills acquisition, and cause continuing professional development programmes for engineers to be held;
16. Establish the Kenya Academy of Engineering and Technology whose purpose shall be to advise the National and the County Governments on policy matters relating to engineering and technology;
17. Plan, arrange, co-ordinate and oversee continuing professional training and development and facilitate internship of graduate engineers;
18. Collaborate with engineering training institutions, professional associations, engineering organizations and other relevant bodies in matters relating to training and professional development of engineers;
19. Determine the fees to be charged by professional engineers and firms for professional engineering services rendered from time to time;
20. Hear and determine disputes relating to professional conduct or ethics of engineers;
21. Develop, maintain and enforce the code of ethics for engineers and regulate the conduct and ethics of the engineering profession in general
22. Determine and define disciplines of engineering recognised under the Act;
23. Conduct recruitment of staff of the Board through a competitive process; and
24. Carry out such other functions related to the implementation of the Act.
