Every Nigerian engineers and non Nigerian Practicing in Nigeria is expected to be registered by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, (COREN). This registration is basically online but there are issues that prospective applicants must pay attention to. One of them is Proposer Form.
FIVE BASIC REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU ARE REGISTERED WITH COREN
After getting 4 years post graduate working experience, there are other requirements you need to register with COREN.
You can Register directly with COREN or through Engineering body such as NSE (only Engineers) or NATE.(HND, ND, diploma)
Requirements:
1. Certificates:
a. Engineering Certificate (Degree, HND, OND NABTEB, Trade Test)
b. NYSC (for graduates)
c. SSCE(WAEC/NECO/NABTEB)
d. A passport sized photograph
2. Proposers: two(2) proposers are needed to sign the proposer form for you. Your Proposers must be registered engineer who are financially up to date and would attest to your good conduct.
3. Certificate of Experience: Certificate of experience will be filled by someone who is a registered engineer and is financially up to date. S/he could be your boss, Professional colleague at your former or present place of work.
4. A technical report of your Engineering work experience. The report should be duly endorsed by two registered engineer who are financially up to date.
Many applications for registration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) are rejected due to errors in completing the Proposer and Certificate of Experience forms. Let’s clarify what these forms are and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Are These Forms?
1. The Proposer Form
This is a mandatory form that all COREN applicants must complete and upload. It requires two registered engineers who know you personally to vouch for your good character. They essentially act as your sponsors, confirming your suitability for professional registration.
2. The Certificate of Experience Form
This form documents your engineering work experience and is also mandatory for all applicants. It must be completed and uploaded, and can be filled out by one of the following individuals or organizations:
- A COREN-registered engineer who can attest to your work.
- Your former or current employer, provided they can verify your engineering experience.
- A professional colleague with whom you have directly collaborated on an engineering project.
Why Are These Forms Required?
The Proposer and Certificate of Experience forms are vital for COREN’s registration process. They act as essential checks to ensure aspiring engineers possess the necessary competence, character, and practical experience.
The Proposer Form primarily serves as a character reference and professional endorsement:
Verifying Good Character: Engineering demands high ethical standards. Proposers, being registered engineers who know you, can attest to your integrity and professional conduct, helping COREN ensure you align with the profession’s values.
Professional Trust and Accountability: When registered engineers vouch for an applicant, they put their own professional reputation on the line, adding a layer of accountability and trust to the process.
Confirming Fitness to Practice: Beyond academic qualifications, this form helps COREN confirm that you are “fit and proper” to be registered, assessing your professional demeanor and reliability.
The Certificate of Experience Form is designed to verify your practical engineering experience and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios:
Proof of Practical Application: Engineering isn’t just theory; it’s about solving problems. This form requires detailed information about projects, roles, and responsibilities, demonstrating how you’ve applied your academic learning.
Assessment of Professional Competency: The details on this form, along with any technical reports, allow COREN to assess your problem-solving skills, design capabilities, and adherence to engineering standards.
Confirmation of Minimum Experience: Like many regulatory bodies, COREN has a minimum professional experience requirement (e.g., typically four years post-graduation). This form provides the crucial evidence that you’ve met this criterion.
In essence, both forms are integral to COREN’s mission to regulate engineering practice in Nigeria, ensuring high standards of competence, professionalism, and ethics for public safety and welfare.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure your application isn’t rejected, pay close attention to these frequent errors when completing both forms:
Using a Non-Engineer: Both forms, particularly the Proposer Form, require input from qualified engineers. Submitting forms signed by individuals who are not registered engineers will lead to rejection.
Using an Engineer Not Up-to-Date with Practicing Fees: Ensure that any engineer signing your forms has paid their annual practicing fees to COREN. An engineer whose fees are not current is not considered to be in good standing, and their endorsement will invalidate your application.
Missing Security Seals: A common oversight is submitting the forms without the official security seals of the engineers who signed them. These seals are a crucial verification measure and their absence will result in your application being declined.