Why CPS Eng Certification Matters in Construction

On Friday 6 November, RM Surveys Lead Construction Surveyor Tim Guest achieved his Certified Practicing Surveyor, Engineering (CPS Eng) certification, making RM Surveys the largest single employer of CPS Eng-certified surveyors in Western Australia.

The milestone raises a wider question for builders, engineers and asset owners: what does a CPS Eng-certified surveyor bring to a construction project, and how can professional certification help clients assess the expertise behind critical survey work?

Key takeaways

• CPS Eng certification recognises professional competence assessed through the Western Australian Institution of Surveyors (WAIS).
• CPS Eng provides an independently assessed indicator of professional competence and ongoing development, alongside relevant project experience.
• Following Tim Guest’s certification, RM Surveys employs approximately 23% of WA’s CPS Eng-certified practitioners.
• Recognition of CPS Eng certification is growing across Western Australia’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

What is the CPS Eng certification?

Certified Practicing Surveyor, Engineering (CPS Eng) is a professional certification that recognises demonstrated competence in engineering surveying.

Administered through WAIS, the certification recognises professional experience, technical knowledge and competence against standards established by the profession, together with a commitment to ongoing professional development.

WAIS explains the certification requirements and process on its website.

Engineering surveying involves translating design information into accurate site positions, establishing and maintaining survey control, checking construction against design and recording completed works.

It demands more than collecting coordinates. Surveyors interpret drawings and models, understand construction sequencing, check calculations and communicate discrepancies that may affect subsequent work.

For clients, CPS Eng certification provides an independent benchmark of professional competence to consider alongside practical project experience.

Why certification matters in construction

The value of professional competence is clearest where surveying decisions are difficult or expensive to reverse.

An incorrect reference level, a superseded drawing or an unrecognised discrepancy in structural set-out can affect multiple trades and construction stages.

A survey measurement can be precise yet still be based on incorrect design information. Identifying that problem requires more than accurate equipment: it requires technical judgement, appropriate checking and an understanding of the construction process.

For example, construction set-out relies on reliable survey control and current design information. When discrepancies arise, surveyors must determine what can be established through measurement, what requires further investigation and what needs to be referred to the project team for assessment.

These decisions can influence whether potential problems are identified before construction proceeds or discovered during subsequent works.

CPS Eng certification provides clients with independent evidence that a surveyor has demonstrated professional competence. While certification does not guarantee an error-free project, it offers an additional measure of confidence when evaluating surveying providers.

Engineering surveying in WA: recognition is growing

Recognition of CPS Eng certification is gaining momentum across Western Australia.

The number of certified practitioners has increased by approximately 82% since the beginning of 2025, reflecting growing participation in the programme.

WAIS is advocating for greater recognition of CPS Eng certification among organisations responsible for commissioning and managing major infrastructure projects, including through discussions with Main Roads WA, Water Corporation and Western Power.

The objective is to make independently assessed professional competence a more visible consideration when engineering surveying services are evaluated.

Alongside experience, capacity and established quality systems, professional certification gives clients another meaningful way to assess the expertise available to their projects.

RM Surveys strengthens its CPS Eng capability

Tim Guest’s achievement reflects RM Surveys’ continued investment in professional development and technical capability.

With approximately 23% of Western Australia’s CPS Eng-certified surveyors employed by RM Surveys, the business brings significant certified expertise to construction and engineering projects.

Tim was presented with his certificate by Bennett Tunbridge, RM Surveys General Manager – Operations, WAIS Board member and 2026 WA Professional Surveyor of the Year.

The achievement recognises Tim’s individual commitment to the profession while reflecting the depth of certified expertise available across RM Surveys.

Our broader Construction & Engineering surveying services combine experienced project surveyors with technical oversight and specialist support, allowing us to respond to complex construction requirements through one coordinated team.

Tim Guest receives his CPS Eng certification from Bennett Tunbridge.

What to look for when choosing a CPS Eng-certified surveyor

CPS Eng is a valuable professional certification, but selecting a surveying provider also requires consideration of project experience, team capacity and quality assurance processes.

Who is responsible for reviewing design information and survey calculations? How are discrepancies identified and communicated? Can the provider respond when multiple workfronts or specialist measurement requirements arise?

These questions help establish whether a surveying team has the capability to support the wider construction programme, rather than simply complete individual survey tasks.

At RM Surveys, our dedicated project surveyors coordinate day-to-day requirements with construction teams and can draw on experienced technical leaders and specialist services across the business.

Professional certification provides an additional level of assurance about the competence of the people behind that work.

Congratulations to Tim Guest on achieving his CPS Eng certification.

Learn more about RM Surveys’ Construction & Engineering capabilities or contact our team to discuss your project requirements.