Have you ever stared at your engineering degree and thought, “Does this get me recognised as a Chartered Professional Engineer in the rest of the world?” You’re definitely not alone. Many talented engineers have aspirations of working in New Zealand or Australia. And get totally lost by technical terms like CPEng NZ and the Washington Accord. What Is the Washington Accord? The WA is an international accreditation agreement for professional engineering academic programs between the "bodies responsible for accreditation”. In countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It means that the engineering degrees in one member country are acceptable in other participating countries. In short, it means to Engineering New Zealand that your degree is held to the same academic standards that they apply to local graduates. This way, you won’t have to re-validate your education when applying for CPEng NZ or other global registrations. What is a CPEng in the engineering industry? Being a Chartered Professional Engineer is a test of your ability to work as an engineer on your own and be responsible for your work. The decision is made by Engineering New Zealand, which has a similar function in New Zealand. You will be recognisable globally once you have earned your CPEng NZ, which will help you to: ● Work across global projects with credibility.  ● Professional responsibility for designs and safety. ● There are more career opportunities worldwide. Is CPEng Automatically Granted Through the Washington Accord? This is what I believe confuses a lot of engineers. No, the Washington Accord doesn’t make you a chartered engineer. It only attests that your degree has the necessary academic base. It doesn’t say you are a professional in your field. And you need to get a chartered professional engineer NZ too: ● Have a minimum of 5 years’ engineering experience. ● Demonstrate leadership, responsibility and ethical practice. ● Demonstrate your skills in a technical application and interview. ● Write, publish, and edit articles in line with New Zealand standards. Your education allows you access to the door, but it’s your experience, decisions and professional development that get you through it. Conclusion The Washington Accord helps your journey to CPEng be a little easier, but not easier. It confirms your education, whereas the Chartered Professional Engineer process examines your skills, ethics, and practical experience. If you are planning your journey to become a CPEng NZ, think of the Washington Accord as your first step. Your professionalism, experience, and commitment to engineering are what make you a Real Chartered Professional Engineer NZ.