09 May Certification by RPEQs Policy
POLICY ID: 1.4 (3A)
Approved version: 25 August 2011
Rationale
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Board’s views on certification by RPEQs in the context of the Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld) (Act). Certification is ultimately the responsibility of the individual RPEQ.
Policy
Scope of Certification
The Certificate must precisely define its scope, in a manner that makes all parties aware of what has and, in particular, has not been certified. All engineering certifications must be limited in scope to what the certifying RPEQ knows.
Level of Inspection required for building works
When certifying building works, RPEQs must ensure inspection of the work being certified and satisfy themselves that work has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications.
It is not the Board’s intention to define the level of inspection required for particular projects. Such will depend on the requirements of the project and good engineering practice. Neither does the Board provide endorsement of particular certification procedures; as such action would be overriding the professional judgement of its registrants.
RPEQs may delegate inspection to a non-RPEQ, however, the RPEQ must exercise their judgement to determine if the delegate is competent to undertake the inspection. Ultimately, the RPEQ takes full responsibility through their certification for the inspections undertaken by others.
References
The Professional Engineers Act 2002 (Qld)
Explanatory Notes to the Professional Engineers Bill 2002
Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (for definition of building works)
Building Act 1975 (for definition of building works)