Bahrain's Civil Service Bureau has made it mandatory for employees in engineering positions working in governmental directorates across the kingdom to obtain the necessary professional licences.

The move comes as part of the government's plan to regulate professional engineering practice in the kingdom under Article 31 of the Civil Service Law, reported the BNA.

The directive, issued by Civil Service Bureau (CSB) president Ahmed bin Zayed Al Zayed, was intended to emphasise the need for all employees in engineering positions in governmental directorates under the umbrella of the CSB to satisfy the provisions of Law 51/2014 regulating professional engineering practice to obtain the requisite professional licences, said the report.

Licences are issued to the engineers at the request of their employers free of charge and will remain valid throughout the term of their employment, said Zayed.

"There will be no need for licence renewal unless the employer notifies the CSB about the occurrence of any change in the employee's job status such as the termination of service, suspension or otherwise," he added.