Authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided to conduct a professional examination for expatriate engineers who seek to come to the Kingdom on new job visas.

The new decision is in line with the directive of the Acting Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Majed Al-Hoqail of SCE to hold professional tests for expatriate workers to ensure the quality of engineering works to safeguard the society.

Officials from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission and the Saudi Council of Engineers discussed possible tests for foreign engineers.

The minister stressed the need to evaluate expatriate engineers’ academic qualifications and practical experiences working in the Kingdom.

New engineers will need to get the test done before entering Saudi Arabia. The test will be conducted in cooperation with Pearson VUE, the commission said.

Pearson VUE offers innovative computer-based testing solutions through secure and electronic test delivery and provides licensure and certification..

The commission and SCE signed a memorandum of cooperation last year aimed at building national professional standards for engineering professions formulated by the SCE.