Technical Governance
Standards Governed by Practicing Engineers
BSAPE's certification standards are not developed by administrators. They are developed and maintained by senior engineers who hold BSAPE certification themselves and are actively working in the disciplines they govern.
Each Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is responsible for a specific engineering discipline. TAC members serve in a voluntary capacity, bringing current industry knowledge to bear on the ongoing development of BSAPE's certification criteria, assessment methods, and technical guidance.
The Assessment Standards Advisory Committee (ASAC) provides cross-discipline oversight of the integrity and consistency of BSAPE assessment processes — ensuring that the standard applied to a petroleum engineer and a process engineer is equally rigorous.
About BSAPE GovernancePractitioner-Led
All TAC members are practising engineers holding BSAPE certification at Certificate of Skill (COS-BSAPE) or above in the relevant discipline.
Independent of Commercial Interest
TAC members serve independently. They do not represent training providers or commercial interests in their committee capacity.
Internationally Informed
TAC members are drawn from both UK and international engineering practice, ensuring BSAPE standards reflect global industry norms.
Published Standards
All decisions that affect certification standards are reflected in publicly available published documents, accessible via the Technical Resources library.
Annual Standard Reviews
Each TAC conducts a formal annual review of its certification standard to ensure continued alignment with industry practice and regulatory requirements.
BSAPE Committees
Six Advisory Committees
Five discipline-specific TACs plus the cross-discipline Assessment Standards Advisory Committee govern the full BSAPE certification system.
Petroleum Engineering Technical Advisory Committee
Scope
Upstream oil and gas — exploration, reservoir, drilling, completions, well intervention, and production engineering.
Key Responsibilities
Chemical & Process Engineering Technical Advisory Committee
Scope
Chemical engineering, process engineering, process safety, refining, LNG, and petrochemical engineering.
Key Responsibilities
Electrical & Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee
Scope
Electrical engineering, instrumentation, control systems, SIS/SIL, ATEX/IECEx, and telecommunications in energy facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Renewable Energy & Energy Transition Advisory Committee
Scope
Offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, energy storage, CCS, and the broader energy transition from hydrocarbon to low-carbon energy systems.
Key Responsibilities
Drilling Engineering Certification Advisory Committee
Scope
All aspects of the BSAPE drilling engineering certification programme (BSAPE-DE, schedules DE-1–DE-5), including surface, subsea, HPHT, and instructor certification.
Key Responsibilities
Assessment Standards Advisory Committee
Scope
The integrity and consistency of all BSAPE assessment and certification processes across all disciplines and certificate types.
Key Responsibilities
Get Involved
Joining a BSAPE Technical Committee
BSAPE invites applications from senior certified engineers who wish to contribute to the development and governance of engineering certification standards.
Eligibility
Applicants for TAC membership must hold COS-BSAPE or above in the relevant discipline and have a minimum of 10 years' relevant engineering experience. COA-BSAPE holders are encouraged to apply.
Time Commitment
TAC members are expected to attend quarterly meetings (typically half-day, conducted via video conference) and contribute to written reviews of documents between meetings. Estimated commitment: 8–12 hours per quarter.
How to Apply
Expressions of interest in TAC membership should be submitted in writing to the BSAPE Registrar, with a brief summary of your engineering background, current discipline, and the committee you wish to join.
Appointment
Appointments are made by the BSAPE Board following review of expressions of interest. Appointments are for a 3-year term, renewable once.
Committee Publications
Summaries of committee decisions and annual standard review outcomes are published in the BSAPE Technical Resources library and circulated to all certified members.
View Technical ResourcesShape the Future of Engineering Certification
Senior certified members are invited to express interest in joining a BSAPE Technical Advisory Committee.