How we check structural engineers

Only a small share of structural engineers say on their own website whether they're chartered. In our research it was fewer than one in six. So every listing shows credentials in one of three ways:

• Verified We've checked it on the institution's register and show the date we checked. We do this one engineer at a time, usually when an engineer claims their listing and gives us their membership number.
• Stated on their website The firm says it on its own website, for example "CEng MIStructE", but we haven't checked it yet.
• No credentials stated We found none mentioned. That doesn't mean the engineer isn't qualified, only that they don't say.

What the letters mean

• MIStructE / FIStructE: Chartered Member or Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
• MICE / FICE: Chartered Member or Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
• CEng / IEng: Chartered or Incorporated Engineer, registered with the Engineering Council.
• MRICS: a chartered surveyor. Surveyors assess whole buildings; for a specific structural problem or beam design, lenders and building control usually expect a structural engineer.

Check an engineer yourself

• IStructE members directory (grade and CPD record)
• ICE find a member
• Engineering Council RegCheck (you'll need the engineer's registration number)

What we don't do

We don't check anyone's calculations or their professional indemnity insurance, and a listing is not a recommendation. Ask for proof of PI insurance before you appoint an engineer. We don't use institution logos. If something is wrong, tell us and we'll fix it.