The Washington Accord pertains to engineering programs accredited by its signatories within their respective jurisdiction starting in 1989. Signatories to the Washington Accord are organizations responsible for accrediting engineering programs in Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Washington Accord assists in determining if an engineering program in one of these countries is recognized for purposes of licensure and registration, employment, or admission to graduate school in another signatory's jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction
The Washington Accord only recognizes engineering programs accredited within the signatories' own jurisdictions.
Signatories to the Washington Accord may accredit programs outside of their jurisdiction, but only those programs accredited within their jurisdiction are recognized by the Accord. For example, although ABET accredits programs in countries outside of the U.S., the Washington Accord recognizes only those programs accredited within the U.S.
Recognition Dates
The year in which the signatory joined the Washington Accord determines recognition. For example, ABET was a founding member of the Washington Accord in 1989. Graduates of U.S.-based ABET-accredited programs beginning in 1989 are covered by the Washington Accord.
Other signatories are under no formal obligation to recognize ABET-accredited engineering programs or their graduates prior to 1989. However, individual signatories may recognize graduates prior to 1989 at their own discretion.
Please see the list of Washington Accord signatories to check the year in which each signatory joined the Accord.
Licensing and Registration Organizations
The Washington Accord signatories have agreed to make every reasonable effort to ensure that the engineering licensing and registration bodies in these countries recognize the substantial equivalence of engineering programs accredited by the other signatories. However, licensing and registration organizations in each signatory's country make the final decision regarding the recognition of an individual’s credentials for the purpose of licensing and registration.
Other than providing documentation that an individual graduated from an ABET-accredited program, ABET cannot advocate or intervene on behalf of individuals who are seeking to have their credentials recognized by licensing and registration organization in the jurisdiction of other signatories.
Are You Interested in Licensure or Registration in the U.S.?
If your program is recognized by the Washington Accord, check the list of U.S. state licensing boards maintained by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) for information about requirements in the state in which you wish to practice.
If your program is not recognized by the Washington Accord, please note that some licensing and registration boards may accept an external evaluation of your credentials. ABET does not conduct credentials evaluations nor does ABET recommend evaluation services. Please refer to the state licensing board for information about acceptable evaluation services.
Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies
International accrediting, regulatory, and educational organizations have developed statements of graduate attributes and professional competency profiles.
The International Engineering Alliance, which administers both the Washington Accord for engineering and the Sydney Accord for engineering technology, has prepared a document that presents the background to these developments; their purpose, methodology, and limitations; and describes the graduate attributes and professional competency profiles for engineers and engineering technologists.
Read the International Engineering Alliance Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies.
Is Your Program Recognized by the Washington Accord?
These questions will help you determine whether your program is recognized by the Washington Accord.
Have Questions About the Washington Accord?