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Attributes for professionally qualified membership

The standards of professional civil and infrastructure engineering competence and commitment - the ICE Attributes - ensure that professionally qualified members are equipped to address the needs of employers, clients and the wider society that they serve.

Attributes for professionally qualified membership

The attributes confirm that members can effectively support, manage and lead projects, solve engineering challenges, apply sound engineering theory, deploy the most appropriate engineering methods and technologies, enhance welfare, health and safety, and deliver against sustainable objectives.

Within this framework, ICE recognises the extraordinary challenge of the climate emergency as an essential factor in the development and work of civil and infrastructure engineers and engineering technicians.

The tabs below list the attributes required to become an ICE member at Chartered Engineer (CEng) level, Incorporated Engineer (IEng) level and Engineering Technician (EngTech) level.

Incorporated Engineers maintain and manage applications of current and developing technology, and may undertake engineering design, development, manufacture, construction and operation.

As a prospective professional civil engineer, you must have a sound knowledge and understanding of the construction process together with the activities connected to it. You must have an appreciation of, and be able to identify and manage, risks to all those engaged and affected by the design, construction, operation, use, maintenance and demolition of any works. For those whose experience includes the construction process, site experience will ordinarily be required.

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate competence in all of the areas listed, but the depth and extent of their experience and competence will vary with the nature and requirements of their role.

Attribute information for trainees using IPD Online

Our frequently asked questions cover some of the common queries relating to the structure of the attributes in IPD online and at Professional Review.

Find out more

Attribute group Attributes of MICE/IEng MICE

1. Understanding and Practical Application of Engineering
  • Maintain and extend knowledge of engineering theory and practice, and how technology assists its application
  • Solve engineering problems using a sound theoretical approach, based on evidence, and contribute to continuous improvement
  • Identify, review and select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake engineering tasks
  • Contribute to the design and development of engineering solutions, implement those solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle
  • Exercise sound independent engineering judgement

2. Management and Leadership
  • Plan the work and resources needed to enable effective implementation of engineering tasks and projects
  • Manage the planning and organisation of tasks and resources
  • Manage teams or technical specialisms
  • Assist others to meet changing technical and managerial needs
  • Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements

3. Commercial Ability
  • Manage, prepare and control costs/budgets of engineering tasks or projects
  • Use sound knowledge of statutory and commercial frameworks within their own area of responsibility and have an appreciation of other commercial arrangements

4. Health, Safety and Welfare
  • Demonstrate a sound knowledge of legislation, hazards and safe systems of work
  • Manage risks
  • Manage health, safety and welfare within their own area of responsibility
  • Contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare

5. Sustainable Development
  • Understand the principles of sustainable development and apply them in work
  • Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)

Attribute 5 guidance document

6. Interpersonal Skills and Communication
  • Communicate well with others at all levels including effective use of English*, orally and in writing
  • Discuss ideas and plans competently and with confidence
  • Demonstrate effective personal and social skills
  • Demonstrate awareness of diversity and inclusion

*Please note: All assessments and reviews for Engineering Council registration will be conducted in English, subject to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993

7. Professional Commitment
  • Understand and comply with the ICE Code of Conduct
  • Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner
  • Plan, carry out and record Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice
  • Identify the limits of their personal knowledge and skills
  • Engage with ICE activities

Chartered Engineers develop solutions to complex engineering problems using new or existing technologies, and through innovation, creativity and technical analysis.

As a prospective professional civil engineer, you must have a sound knowledge and understanding of the construction process together with the activities connected to it. You must have an appreciation of, and be able to identify and manage, risks to all those engaged and affected by the design, construction, operation, use, maintenance and demolition of any works. For those whose experience includes the construction process, site experience will ordinarily be required.

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their competence in all of the areas listed, but the depth and extent of their experience and competence will vary with the nature and requirements of their role.

Attribute information for trainees using IPD Online

Our frequently asked questions cover some of the common queries relating to the structure of the attributes in IPD online and at Professional Review.

Find out more

Attribute group Attributes of CEng MICE

1. Understanding and Practical Application of Engineering
  • Maintain and extend knowledge of engineering theory and practice, and how technology assists its application
  • Solve engineering problems using a sound theoretical approach, based on evidence, and contribute to continuous improvement
  • Engage in the creation and/or introduction of new, advancing or improved techniques and technology
  • Identify, review and select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake engineering tasks
  • Take an active role in the identification and definition of requirements, challenges, risks, and opportunities and undertake appropriate investigation and action
  • Contribute to the design and development of engineering solutions, implement those solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle
  • Undertake the design, development and implementation of engineering solutions and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of the whole project life cycle
  • Exercise sound independent engineering judgement

2. Management and Leadership
  • Plan the work and resources needed to enable effective implementation of engineering tasks and projects
  • Manage the planning and organisation of tasks and resources.
  • Manage (organise, direct and control), programme or schedule, tasks and resources
  • Manage teams or technical specialisms
  • Lead or influence teams / technical specialisms, understanding the limits of their skills and knowledge
  • Assist others to meet changing technical and managerial needs
  • Develop others to meet changing technical and managerial needs
  • Manage quality processes and contribute to quality improvements
  • Demonstrate continuous quality improvement and promote best practice

3. Commercial Ability
  • Manage, prepare and control costs/budgets of engineering tasks or projects
  • Manage, prepare and control costs/budgets of a significant engineering task or project
  • Use sound knowledge of statutory and commercial frameworks within their own area of responsibility and have an appreciation of other commercial arrangements
  • Demonstrate sound judgement on statutory, contractual and commercial issues in relation to own area of responsibility

4. Health, Safety and Welfare
  • Demonstrate a sound knowledge of legislation, hazards and safe systems of work
  • Manage risks
  • Manage health, safety and welfare within their own area of responsibility
  • Contribute to improvements in health, safety and welfare
  • Demonstrate leadership by promoting good practice and improvements in health, safety and welfare

5. Sustainable Development
  • Understand the principles of sustainable development and apply them in work
  • Manage engineering activities that contribute to sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)
  • Take a professional and responsible role in improvements that support sustainable development and reduce resource demand, set in the context of a whole project life cycle

Attribute 5 guidance document

6. Interpersonal Skills and Communication
  • Communicate well with others at all levels including effective use of English*, orally and in writing
  • Discuss ideas and plans competently and with confidence
  • Communicate new concepts and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Demonstrate effective personal and social skills
  • Demonstrate awareness of diversity and inclusion
  • Proactively manage diversity and inclusion

*Please note: All assessments and reviews for Engineering Council registration will be conducted in English, subject to the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993.

7. Professional Commitment
  • Understand and comply with the ICE Code of Conduct
  • Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner
  • Plan, carry out and record Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice
  • Identify the limits of their personal knowledge and skills
  • Exercise sound holistic independent judgement and accept responsibility
  • Engage with ICE activities

Engineering technicians apply proven techniques and procedures to the solution of practical engineering problems.

As a prospective professional civil engineering technician, you must have a sound knowledge and understanding of your role in the construction process and the activities connected whether that be the design, construction, operation, use, maintenance and demolition of any works. You must understand the safety implications of the role and complete tasks with due consideration for safety. 

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their competence in all of the areas listed, but the depth and extent of their experience and competence will vary with the nature and requirements of their role.

Technician Standards information for trainees using IPD Online

Our frequently asked questions cover some of the common queries relating to the structure of the attributes in IPD online and at Professional Review.

Find out more

Attribute group Attributes of EngTech MICE

1. Understanding and Practical Application of Engineering
  • Use appropriate scientific, technical or engineering principles
  • Review and select appropriate techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks
  • Identify problems and apply appropriate methods to identify causes and achieve satisfactory solutions

2. Management and Leadership
  • Identify tasks and organise resources to complete them effectively
  • Work reliably and accept responsibility for their work or the work of others
  • Complete tasks with due consideration for quality

3. Commercial Ability
  • Identify, organise and use resources with consideration of cost

4. Health, Safety and Welfare
  • Understand the safety implications of the role
  • Complete tasks with due consideration for safety
  • Comply with safe systems of work

5. Sustainable Development
  • Understand the principles of sustainable development and apply them in work
  • Complete tasks with consideration for their environmental impact

Attribute 5 guidance document

6. Interpersonal Skills and Communication
  • Communicate effectively with others, at all levels, in English
  • Work effectively with colleagues, clients, suppliers or the public
  • Demonstrate personal and social skills
  • Demonstrate awareness of diversity and inclusion

7. Professional Commitment
  • Understand and comply with the ICE Code of Conduct
  • Understand the ethical issues that may arise in their role and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical manner
  • Carry out and record the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) necessary to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice
Membership guidance

Membership guidance

Our extensive range of online resources will help you discover how to become a member of ICE and support you on your way to professional qualification

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Get help from our membership professionals

We're here to help you achieve your membership goals. See the latest professional qualification training opportunities, ranging from local membership surgeries to dedicated courses.

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Date
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Time
14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1)
Free
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Join this session to find out how to start planning and preparing for the Incorporated Professional Review, Chartered Professional Review or Chartered Professional Review Progressive for civil and for infrastructure engineers. 

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Date
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Time
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Apprentices in England: start your journey

Join this short session for an introduction to routes to ICE professional qualifications for apprentices in England. Click the link above to read more about who this event is for, when and why to attend.

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Worldwide
Date
09 July 2025
Time
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