From Graduate Engineer to Professional Engineer: A Complete Guide to BEM’s Latest Outcome-Based PAE (Route A)

The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) has fully transitioned to an Outcome-Based Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) to align Malaysia’s professional engineering assessment with international best practices.

Implementation Schedule of the Outcome-Based PAE

• The Outcome-Based Professional Assessment Examination (PAE) was partially implemented starting 1 May 2022.
• The full implementation of the Outcome-Based PAE commenced on 1 January 2023.
• From 1 January 2024 onwards, applicants are required to use the Outcome-Based PAE format for new applications.
• The previous PAE format may still be used only for pending cases carried forward from 2023.

Requirements to Register as Professional Engineer

1. The applicants are required to fulfil 3 years registration as Graduate Engineer before being eligible to apply for Professional Engineer
2. Passed one of the following examinations:

• Route A – Professional Assessment Examination (PAE); or
• Route B – Professional Engineer from an overseas Regulatory Body shall pass Code of Conduct Assessment ; or
• Route C - Corporate Member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (MIEM) 

Two-Tier Registration: PE vs PEPC

Since the 2015 amendments to the REA, Professional Engineers are registered under two tiers:

• PE – Professional Engineer (without Practising Certificate)
• PEPC – Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate

Only PEPC holders are allowed to submit plans, drawings, and documents to authorities.

What is the Outcome-Based PAE?

The Outcome-Based PAE is Route A for Graduate Engineers seeking registration as Professional Engineers (PE). Its primary objective is to confirm that a candidate’s practical training and work experience meet the professional competence standards required for independent engineering practice.

This approach benchmarks Malaysian professional engineers against globally recognized frameworks such as the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC), supporting international recognition and mobility.

Professional Competence Framework

Competence in the Outcome-Based PAE is assessed across five Competence Areas, comprising 18 Competence Elements:

• A: Knowledge and Understanding of Engineering

• B: Practical Application of Engineering (Design & Site Experience)

• C: Responsibilities, Management and Leadership

• D: Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• E: Professional Commitment (Ethics and Conduct)

Candidates must demonstrate evidence across all areas, with recognition that different job roles may emphasize different strengths. Importantly, BEM no longer mandates minimum months for design or site experience; instead, these competencies are assessed holistically under Competence Area B.

Assessment Structure

The Outcome-Based PAE consists of two independent parts:

PAE Part I – Interview

• A 15-minute technical presentation (mandatory)
• A 45-minute oral assessment covering Competence Areas A, B, C, and D
• A technical essay may be required only if the presentation is unsatisfactory but the interview is  passed

PAE Part II – Code of Conduct Essay

• A mandatory closed-book essay
• Assesses Competence Area E (ethics, professional responsibility, sustainability, CPD, and legal awareness)
• Candidates write approximately 1,500 words in 1.5 hours, preferably based on personal experience

Evidence-Based Assessment

The Outcome-Based PAE is fundamentally grounded in the assessment of evidence. Candidates submit a Training and Experience Report (Self-Testimony) describing how their real work experience demonstrates each competence element.

Application Documents to be Prepared

Key documents include:

• Form PAE
• Lampiran PAE-1 (Career History)
• Lampiran PAE-2 (Declaration)
• Training and Experience Report (Self-Testimony)

In Lampiran PAE-1, you must indicate your role for each competence area:

• Role 1 – Participating
• Role 2 – Contributing
• Role 3 – Leading

These roles must align with the evidence you provide and will be checked by examiners.

Resits and Outcomes

Candidates must pass both Part I and Part II to pass the PAE. Partial failures allow candidates to resit only the failed component, while total failure requires a full resit. Clear resit rules and fees apply, ensuring fairness and transparency in the assessment process.

Final Thoughts for PAE Candidates

The Outcome-Based PAE under Route A represents a shift from “checking boxes” to telling your professional story.

To succeed, you must:

• Understand your engineering role clearly
• Reflect on decisions, challenges, and responsibilities
• Demonstrate professionalism, ethics, and judgement
• Communicate confidently and honestly

If you can explain how you practise engineering, you are already preparing correctly for the Outcome-Based PAE.