Engineering is unusually portable at the degree level and unusually local at the licence level, and a good international CV keeps those two things apart. The Washington Accord, initiated in 1989, is an agreement among bodies that accredit tertiary-level engineering qualifications: accredited engineering degree programmes from one member organisation are mutually recognised by all others, and the International Engineering Alliance lists 25 full signatories and 7 provisional signatories. That recognises the degree. It does not by itself grant a licence or chartered status in another country, which each jurisdiction still assesses on its own terms.
Separating Your Degree From Your Licence or Chartership
State each credential on its own line with the body that issued it. “BEng Mechanical Engineering, accredited programme” and “CEng MIMechE” are different claims; so are “BS Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited)” and “PE, Texas.” A reviewer in another country wants to see immediately which part of your qualification is portable (the accredited degree) and which part is tied to a specific regulator (chartership or a state PE licence), and what you are doing about the second part if you are relocating.
Naming Your Credentials So They Are Recognised
- Spell out the body on first use: “Chartered Engineer (CEng), Engineering Council (UK)” is clearer outside the UK than “CEng” alone
- Show the equivalent when you hold a regional credential: a short line such as “PE (Texas) — U.S. state licence to practise” tells a European or Gulf reviewer what the letters mean
- State the stage if a credential is in progress: “Working towards chartership, professional review planned 2027” is more useful than leaving the line out
- Name the codes and standards you worked to: Eurocodes, BS EN, API, ASME, IEC, or ISO standards are checkable differentiators in cross-border roles
Describing Projects and Scale for an International Reviewer
Always state the currency behind a project value, since a £12M scheme and a $12M scheme are different claims, and say which country, client type, and regulatory framework the project sat under. Where you worked offshore, in the Gulf, or on a multi-country programme, name that explicitly: it is real, relevant experience that a reviewer would otherwise have to ask about.
Format and Length Across Markets
| Element | US-style resume | International CV |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 page, 2 for senior roles | 2 pages standard for most engineering roles |
| Credentials | Licence or certification name only (PE, EIT) | Issuing body and country named in full on first use |
| Personal details | None beyond contact info | Nationality or work authorisation often expected outside the US |
Engineers with a steady project history do well in a chronological CV. Those moving between disciplines or countries, or leading with chartership and project experience rather than a long job history, often do better with a combination CV.
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FAQ: International Engineering CVs
Does the Washington Accord let me work as an engineer in another country?
Not by itself. It recognises accredited degree programmes between member bodies, which makes your degree easier to assess abroad, but licensure or chartered status is still granted by each country’s or state’s own regulator.
Should I list my US PE licence on a CV for the UK or Europe?
Yes, with the state named and a short note that it is a U.S. state licence to practise. It signals genuine professional standing even where the letters are unfamiliar.
How do I show that I am working towards chartership?
Put it on its own credential line with the awarding body and the stage you have reached, rather than leaving it implied. Reviewers read it as a plan, not a gap.
Is a two-page CV too long for a mid-level engineer?
No. Two pages is standard internationally at this level, as long as both pages carry projects and results rather than repeated duties.
