Required certification · Malaysia
Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)
Statutory board that registers engineers and engineering consultancy practices under Act 138
Market position
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is the board established by section 3 of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138), in force since 23 August 1972. It keeps the register of engineers and of engineering consultancy practices and runs professional examinations, including the Professional Competency Examination (PCE). BusinessToday Malaysia reported in August 2026 that amendments to the Act were expected to reach Parliament in its next session.
Malaysia-specific note
Under Act 138 only a registered Professional Engineer or a registered engineering consultancy practice may submit engineering plans, drawings and designs to an authority, and only a Professional Engineer may use the title 'Ir.'. A contractor whose job needs engineering submissions must therefore use a BEM-registered engineer or practice. The Act has been amended since its 2006 reprint, so check BEM's current categories before relying on a sign-off.
Pros
- + Registration is the legal basis for providing professional engineering services
- + Only registered Professional Engineers may use the title 'Ir.'
- + A firm can register as an engineering consultancy practice and charge for engineering work
- + Registered engineers and practices can submit plans and designs to authorities
Cons
- − Unregistered practice is an offence under the Act
- − Professional Engineer status needs Board-prescribed experience and an assessment
- − Registered engineers are subject to the Board's conditions and disciplinary powers
- − Further amendments to the Act are pending, news reports say
Typical Malaysia pricing
Official fees are set by BEM and published on its website, which could not be read in this check.
Why this matters for Malaysia trades
Under Act 520, every local and foreign contractor must register with CIDB (the Construction Industry Development Board), which grades contractors G1 to G7 with works limits from RM200,000 (G1) to no limit (G7), issues the SPKK certificate for government works and registers construction workers, site supervisors and project managers through the Green Card; working unregistered risks a fine of RM10,000 to RM100,000. LHDN/IRBM runs income tax, employers’ monthly PCB/MTD deductions and the MyInvois e-invoicing system. SSM (the Companies Commission of Malaysia) registers businesses, companies and LLPs; under Act 138 only a Professional Engineer or engineering consultancy practice registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) may submit engineering plans to an authority; and employers must register with and pay monthly contributions to EPF/KWSP and to SOCSO/PERKESO (including EIS), with HRD Corp registration and levy required at 10 or more employees in covered industries.
Malaysian construction and trades software selection is shaped by MyInvois, the national e-invoicing system run by LHDN/IRBM (the Inland Revenue Board), rolled out in phases by turnover from August 2024. Businesses with turnover up to RM5 million entered on 1 January 2026, but under LHDN’s e-Invoice Guideline of 30 August 2026 those below RM3 million are exempt unless a shareholder company, holding company, related company or joint venture has turnover of RM3 million or more, and an interim relaxation for the up-to-RM5 million phase runs to 31 December 2027, allowing consolidated e-invoices for taxpayers who meet its conditions. AutoCount, SQL Account, Bukku and other local accounting and ERP vendors listed here say they submit e-invoices to MyInvois. Add the Ringgit (MYR), SST, CIDB contractor grading from G1 to G7, and monthly EPF, SOCSO, EIS and PCB payroll deductions, with LHDN publishing a list of payroll software whose PCB calculation meets its specification.
Frequently asked
Is Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) a good fit for Malaysia trades?
The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) is the board established by section 3 of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Act 138), in force since 23 August 1972. It keeps the register of engineers and of engineering consultancy practices and runs professional examinations, including the Professional Competency Examination (PCE). BusinessToday Malaysia reported in August 2026 that amendments to the Act were expected to reach Parliament in its next session. Under Act 138 only a registered Professional Engineer or a registered engineering consultancy practice may submit engineering plans, drawings and designs to an authority, and only a Professional Engineer may use the title 'Ir.'. A contractor whose job needs engineering submissions must therefore use a BEM-registered engineer or practice. The Act has been amended since its 2006 reprint, so check BEM's current categories before relying on a sign-off.
What does Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) cost in Malaysia?
Official fees are set by BEM and published on its website, which could not be read in this check. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current Malaysia pricing on the vendor's site before committing.