Article 4 of the Saudi Engineering Professions Law
المادة 4 من نظام مزاولة المهن الهندسية
The article prohibits employing engineers who are not professionally accredited, subject to what paragraph 2 of Article 2 provides for engineers in government bodies.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في الفقرة (2) من المادة (الثانية) من النظام، يحظر تشغيل المهندسين غير المعتمدين مهنيًّا.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 4 explained in plain English
After Article 2 barred an engineer from practicing the profession without accreditation, this article addresses the other side: those who employ engineers. It prohibits employing engineers who are not professionally accredited.
The article, however, begins with the phrase "subject to what is stated in paragraph (2) of Article (2)". That paragraph provides that holding an engineering post in a government body is treated as permission to practice the profession in that body, within the limits of the posts to which the engineer was appointed and their duties and responsibilities, with the competent regulatory bodies keeping the right to require them to obtain accreditation at any time. An engineer appointed to a government engineering post is therefore not caught by this prohibition within those limits.
The rule is thus:
- Establishments and bodies in general: they may not employ an engineer who is not professionally accredited.
- Government bodies: the rule in paragraph 2 of Article 2 is taken into account.
Article 5 complements this rule by barring any body from accepting any engineering work except from professionally accredited persons, where no special provision applies. The article does not state a penalty for the violation in its text; penalties are set in separate articles of the law. Anyone who runs an establishment that employs engineers would do well to consult a lawyer who specializes in commercial and corporate cases to check compliance.
Practical example
A contracting company in Dammam hired an engineer to supervise its projects, knowing he had not obtained professional accreditation. This employment is prohibited under this article, and it makes no difference that the engineer holds an engineering qualification.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 4 of the Saudi Engineering Professions Law
Can a company hire an engineer who is not professionally accredited?
No. The article prohibits employing engineers who are not professionally accredited, subject to paragraph 2 of Article 2 on government bodies.
Does the prohibition cover engineers in government posts?
The rule in paragraph 2 of Article 2 is taken into account for them: holding a government engineering post is treated as permission to practice in that body and within the limits of the post, and they may be required to obtain professional accreditation.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Obligations of Accredited Engineers
- Article 3
The article bars a professionally accredited engineer from practicing an engineering specialization or professional grade in which he is not accredited.
لا يجوز للمعتمد مهنيًّا مزاولة تخصص هندسي أو درجة مهنية غير معتمدين.
- Article 5
The article bars any body from accepting any engineering work except from professionally accredited persons, unless a special provision says otherwise.
فيما لم يرد فيه نص خاص، لا يجوز لأي جهة قبول أي عمل هندسي إلَّا من المعتمدين مهنيًّا.
- Article 8
The article requires a professionally accredited engineer to state his name, professional grade and professional accreditation number on all his engineering work.
على المعتمد مهنيًّا أن يذكر اسمه، ودرجته المهنية، ورقم اعتماده المهني؛ على جميع أعماله الهندسية.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.