List of Requirements

In accordance with the provisions of the CFIA Professional Development System Regulations, to participate in this process, you must meet the following requirements:

Required

Understand and apply engineering or architectural knowledge, methods, and techniques through best practices and existing and emerging technologies.

The applicant must:

  • Have been a member of the CFIA for 5 or more years (as of the deadline for submission of documents).
  • Be eligible to practice professionally: the member or associate must not have been disqualified from membership as provided in Article 15 of the CFIA’s General Internal Regulations.
  • Stay up to date with your obligations to the CFIA
  • Pass the modules or exams, depending on the certification track you have chosen
  • Have proven experience, as specified in subsection (d) of Article 19 of the CFIA’s Special Regulations on Professional Refresher Certification in Electrical Building Design. Engineers who, prior to the entry into force of the aforementioned Regulations, have participated as operating or maintenance engineers, performing construction or inspection functions for electrical installations without being responsible for them, must submit to COMCAP for review reliable documents related to the project that verify their participation and the functions performed. All information required by COMCAP must be truthful and reliable. The inclusion of false information will result in professionals committing the offenses established in Articles 9 and 31 of the Code of Professional Ethics, without prejudice to any applicable criminal penalties.

Please complete and print the following form, which you must submit as part of the Professional Update process.

Printed Professional Update Request Form

Preliminary Checklist

The purpose of this tool is to enable participants in the CFIA Professional Development Program to conduct a preliminary review of the documentation they will submit and estimate the number of Professional Development Hours (PDHs) they may earn, in accordance with the established evaluation criteria. To obtain certification, participants must have earned 400 PDHs over a five-year cycle or period.

Preliminary Checklist

Guide to Completing the Professional Update Application.

Guide to Completing the Professional Update Application.

Professional Profile: includes your contact information and a detailed description of your skills.

Cost of the Process

  • Fee: $100
  • You can check with your member school to see if it offers any scholarship programs to support your participation.

Payment by Cash or Card

  • At the teller windows at the Central Office, in Curridabat, or at the regional offices.

Bank Transfer or Deposit

  • Once the deposit has been made, you must submit a copy of the issued document to the CFIA Help Center Request Form.
  • On the form, select the request type “Notify me of my payment,” billing code: 931.
  • Please provide the name of the professional and/or company and the license number.

 

Name

Federated Association of Engineers and Architects

Legal Certificate

3-007-051185

National Bank

Current Account: Colones: 100-01-000-024493-9
Dollars: 100-02-000-070699-4
IBAN Account:
CR28015100010010244937
CR32015100010020706994
Bank of Costa Rica

Account No. 001-0032567-8
IBAN
CR06015201001003256783
BAC Credomatic

Account 904409380
IBAN Account
CR32010200009044093803
COOPENAE

Account 8111677
IBAN Account
CR86081400011008111677

Reports on Continuing Professional Education Activities from the Past 5 Years

  • Courses, workshops, conferences, seminars, lectures, forums, symposia
  • For participation as a presenter in technical presentations
  • For participation in training programs to be considered as a peer evaluator in accreditation processes for engineering or architecture programs.

To provide more detailed information, it would be advisable to include a description of the continuing education program.

Considerations

  • If you are still pursuing an undergraduate degree, please refer to Article 13.5.6(f) of the Professional Development Regulations regarding courses in which you have received a passing grade.
  • Furthermore, with regard to these studies, for the first time a member participates in a professional development process, the five-year restriction of the Professional Development System will not apply; all undergraduate and graduate degrees obtained after joining the CFIA that are relevant to architecture or engineering may be considered.
  • If you have completed studies abroad, the relevant documents must bear the consular seals and those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, as specified in Article 67 of the Consular Service Law No. 46 of junio 7 junio , or be duly apostilled in accordance with the provisions of Law 8923. In addition, you must submit a Spanish translation if the documents are in a language other than Spanish. Furthermore, for undergraduate and graduate studies completed at foreign universities, you must provide the original and a photocopy of the certification of recognition and equivalence.
  • Prior to filing with the CFIA, you must apply for recognition and equivalence of your degree with the National Council of Rectors (CONARE). For more information, please visit their website at www.conare.ac.cr.

Important note to consider

  • A bachelor’s degree will be considered as part of the professional development process, provided it was obtained after joining the CFIA. (See Articles 13.4.1 and 13.4.2: “Training-related: Training in eventos such as conferences, congresses, forums, seminars, symposia, roundtables, in-person courses, online courses, workshops, internships, and training programs to become an evaluator in accreditation processes for engineering or architecture programs is considered. Regarding formal undergraduate and graduate studies: Formal studies to obtain a university degree, completed after joining the CFIA, are considered.” Likewise, based on the provisions of the CFIA Special Regulations on Membership, in Article 8, paragraph 3.

  • Role as a faculty member at institutions of higher education
  • Development of instructional materials
  • Thesis or Graduation Project Supervision
  • Publication of articles and technical books
  • Participation as an observer or peer reviewer in accreditation processes for engineering or architecture programs.

  • On behalf of the CFIA in national and international organizations
  • Participation in technical committees
  • Development of technical standards
  • Participation in community service activities
  • Volunteering
  • Awards, honors, or distinctions received.

Documentation verifying professional experience

  • Projects
  • Consulting Firms
  • Appraisal and Valuation Services
  • Research, development, and design projects in the fields of engineering or architecture.

Professionals who practice their profession on a freelance basis must submit documentation certifying their professional experience, such as:

  • Affidavit certified by an attorney
  • Letter of appreciation from a satisfied customer for work performed
  • Certifications for consulting services provided, a list of projects registered with the CFIA, among others.

If you work for an organization, you must submit:

  • A letterhead-bearing certificate signed by a company official (the Human Resources department or immediate supervisor), clearly stating the employee’s length of service (from [year] to [year]) and the duties performed that are related to their professional role.

Please note that

The documentation provided must indicate continuity or a time period (for example: from year X to year Y).

For more information, please contact the Department of Vocational Training

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Email

formacion.profesional@cfia.cr

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Phone

2103–2263