Applying For A Coepp License: Bahrain's Essential Requirements

The Committee of Organizing Engineering Professional Practice (COEPP) is a state-level licensing system for engineers in Bahrain. It was established in 1982 and was replaced by the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) in 2014. COEPP licenses are required for certain engineering jobs in Bahrain, and applicants must meet specific requirements, including a minimum number of years of experience and valid Bahrain Driving Licenses. The license is issued to the company rather than the individual engineer and is only issued against a physical office within Bahrain, which must be run by a Bahraini engineer licensed by the Kingdom.

COEPP license requirements

The Committee of Organizing Engineering Professional Practice (COEPP) is Bahrain's state-level licensing system for engineers. The COEPP license is issued to companies, not individual engineers, and requires a physical office within Bahrain that must be run by a Bahraini engineer licensed by the Kingdom.

To obtain a COEPP license, companies must submit the necessary documentation, including engineering certificates and experience letters, to the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP). The CRPEP is the governmental authority responsible for licensing engineering offices and engineers in Bahrain.

The specific requirements for a COEPP license include:

• Engineering certificates and experience letters: These documents demonstrate the qualifications and expertise of the engineers within the company.
• Original qualification: The company must provide the original copy of the engineer's qualification or degree.
• Work references: Letters or testimonials from previous employers or clients can be submitted as evidence of the engineer's experience and competence.
• Original passport with a copy of the resident visa: This is required for identification and verification of the engineer's legal status in Bahrain.
• Original CPR card: The CPR card must be in the office's name and reflect the correct profession.

It is important to note that the process of obtaining a COEPP license can take a minimum of three weeks, and the company's HR department should guide applicants through the process. Additionally, for certain engineering roles, a minimum level of experience is required to be eligible for a COEPP license. For example, a civil site engineer position may require a minimum of 10 years of experience.

CRPEP license requirements

The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) is the Bahraini governmental authority responsible for licensing engineers and engineering offices in the kingdom. The CRPEP license requirements are as follows:

For Bahraini Nationals:

• The applicant must be a Bahraini national.
• They should have full legal competence.
• They need to hold a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university or higher institution.
• They must fulfil the requirements of the engineering field or branch for which they are applying.
• They should be of good conduct and reputation.
• They must not have been convicted of any crimes or offences affecting their honour or integrity, unless reinstated. If the sentence was suspended, the license may be issued with the Minister's approval.
• They should be a full-time practitioner of the engineering profession. However, the CRPEP may allow them to run a business, subject to specific terms and conditions.

For Non-Bahraini Engineers:

• They must satisfy the same requirements as Bahraini nationals, except for the nationality condition.
• They should have practiced professional engineering for at least five consecutive years after obtaining their engineering qualifications.
• They need to be under contract with a national or foreign enterprise or company practicing engineering in Bahrain.

Additional Requirements for Establishing an Engineering Office:

• The applicant must have practiced professional engineering for a consecutive or non-consecutive period after obtaining their engineering qualification, as determined by the Implementing Regulation.
• They must satisfy the conditions regarding the field, branch, and category required for licensing.
• An insurance policy must be obtained to cover the office's liability according to the Law concerning professional faults.
• The engineering office must appoint a responsible manager, approved by the CRPEP, who will be in charge of all technical and administrative work. The manager must hold a license to practice one of the engineering professions and work full-time.
• An insurance policy should be obtained to cover the legal liabilities concerning professional risks.
• Any other conditions specified in the Implementing Regulation, including rules and controls for fields, branches, and categories the office may practice, minimum capital requirements, nature of work, and guarantees.

COEPP vs CRPEP

The Committee of Organizing the Engineering Professional Practice (COEPP) was formed in 1982 by Legislative Decree No. 17. It was Bahrain's state-level licensing system for engineers, similar to the systems used in the US, Canada, and Spain. The license was issued to companies, not individual engineers, and required a physical office within Bahrain, run by a Bahraini engineer licensed by the Kingdom.

In 2014, Law No. 51 was issued, and the Committee turned into the Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP). This change was made to keep up with the large developments in engineering work and the challenges they presented. CRPEP is the governmental authority in Bahrain that licenses all engineering offices and engineers in the Kingdom.

The CRPEP application process requires the submission of engineering certificates and experience letters. The process takes a minimum of three weeks, with a maximum of 21 working days. Scanned copies of certificates and letters are needed for registration, and once approved, original documents are requested.

While COEPP was a committee that issued licenses to companies, CRPEP is a council that licenses both engineering offices and individual engineers in Bahrain.

COEPP application status

The Committee of Organizing the Engineering Professional Practice (COEPP) is Bahrain's state-level licensing system for engineers. The COEPP license is issued to companies, not individual engineers, and is only issued against a physical office within Bahrain, which must be run by a Bahraini engineer licensed by the Kingdom.

The Council for Regulating the Practice of Engineering Professions (CRPEP) is the governmental authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain that licenses all engineering offices and engineers. The CRPEP was formed in 2014 when the COEPP turned into the CRPEP.

To obtain a COEPP license, companies must submit the necessary documentation, including engineering certificates and experience letters. The process typically takes a minimum of three weeks, although it can take up to 21 working days.

Regarding the COEPP application status, it seems that only employers can update and check the status of the application. Individuals cannot check the status of their application independently. Once the application is approved, the CRPEP will send an email requesting the original documents, including qualification certificates, work references, passports, resident visas, and CPR cards.

It is important to note that the requirements and processes for obtaining a COEPP license may vary, and it is recommended to refer to the official websites or relevant authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

COEPP membership

The COEPP license is issued to companies, rather than individual engineers, and is only given to physical offices within Bahrain that are run by a Bahraini engineer licensed by the Kingdom. The license is a requirement for engineers to obtain an engineer visa in Bahrain.

To obtain COEPP membership, engineers must first find employment with a company in Bahrain. The company will then submit the necessary documents to register the engineer with COEPP. The required documents typically include educational and experience certificates, as well as original copies of the engineer's qualifications, passport, and resident visa.

It is important to note that the process of obtaining COEPP membership can take several weeks, and the specific requirements may vary depending on the engineer's category and level of experience. Additionally, some jobs may require additional qualifications, such as a driving license or a minimum number of years of experience in Bahrain.

Overall, COEPP membership is an essential step for engineers seeking to work in Bahrain, and the process involves finding employment with a Bahraini company and submitting the necessary documentation to the Committee of Organising Engineering Professional Practice.

Frequently asked questions