I'd say it all depends what you mean by "rank". As discussed here in various threads, an IEng may easily have a higher level of organisational responsibility - i.e. they may be the CEng's boss - and therefore be paid rather more. (My favourite example of my EngTech friend who owns a business and is personally worth a million or two more than I am!)

However, on technical matters I'd fully agree with Simon Barker - in principal a CEng should be able to overrule (or approve) an IEng's technical decisions, not the other way around. But that's different to a CEng being "more important" than an IEng. (Sort of similar to that fact that I can't legally rewire my bathroom, but hopefully that doesn't mean a Part P certified electrician "outranks" me.) 

In the end it's a bit arbitrary, I can't believe the cost of managing the two accreditations is any different, it sounds like a pragmatic way to make IEngs feel better. I always feel that the litmus test is what's listed in recruitment advertising: occasionally CEng is listed as a requirement (e.g. my job requires it), I don't think I've ever seen IEng listed as a requirement. So I can see why EC would pragmatically consider making IEng cheaper.

But is an engineering project manager (a typical IEng role) more or less "prestigious" than the CEng who signs off the drawings? Well, often it's the PM who actually gets the accolades for "delivering" the project! (Which to be honest can sometimes be a bit annoying.) I'd like to feel that they are as "prestigious" as each other, whatever that means. The project won't happen without both of them. I don't see any of this about status, it's just, like my Part P example, about who can be seen as authoritative to technically sign off projects of increasing novelty / risk. I'll admit I am slightly proud of my FIET, but my CEng just reflects what I do for a job.

Simon Rollason said:

I also note that the Energy Institute charges £47.84 for Engineering Council registration for CEng and £40.60 for IEng, again, a differential of ~85%, but why the ~£2 difference between the two institutions - efficiencies of scale relating to handling-fees

Welcome to the free market! Presumably institutes can charge what they like for admin? Although I guess the EC would get upset if they took it too far.

Hi Andy. I know you like your music (Me too) so just on a light note. You could Imagine a rock band where the lead guitarist is the Chartered Engineer and the bass player is the Incorporated Engineer. Now, the lead guitarist might get all the flashy solos and the spotlight, much like a CEng who often signs off on the technical decisions and gets the final say on complex engineering matters. But can you imagine a rock band without the steady, reliable groove of the bass player? That’s the IEng, keeping everything grounded and ensuring the project (or the song) stays on track.
In some bands, the bass player might even be the band leader, organising gigs and managing the band’s direction, just like an IEng might have higher organisational responsibilities and even be the boss of a CEng. And let’s not forget, the bass player often gets the accolades for delivering a tight performance, much like an engineering project manager who gets praised for delivering a successful project.

So, is the lead guitarist more important than the bass player? Not really. Both are essential to making sweet music. Without the bass, the song lacks depth and rhythm; without the lead guitar, it lacks flair and excitement. Similarly, both CEngs and IEngs bring unique and crucial skills to the table, making the engineering world a harmonious place.

In the end, it’s not about who outranks whom, but about how they complement each other to create something amazing.(Sorry for the cheese ) 

-Andrew

Hi Andy. I know you like your music (Me too) so just on a light note. You could Imagine a rock band where the lead guitarist is the Chartered Engineer and the bass player is the Incorporated Engineer. Now, the lead guitarist might get all the flashy solos and the spotlight, much like a CEng who often signs off on the technical decisions and gets the final say on complex engineering matters. But can you imagine a rock band without the steady, reliable groove of the bass player? That’s the IEng, keeping everything grounded and ensuring the project (or the song) stays on track.
In some bands, the bass player might even be the band leader, organising gigs and managing the band’s direction, just like an IEng might have higher organisational responsibilities and even be the boss of a CEng. And let’s not forget, the bass player often gets the accolades for delivering a tight performance, much like an engineering project manager who gets praised for delivering a successful project.

So, is the lead guitarist more important than the bass player? Not really. Both are essential to making sweet music. Without the bass, the song lacks depth and rhythm; without the lead guitar, it lacks flair and excitement. Similarly, both CEngs and IEngs bring unique and crucial skills to the table, making the engineering world a harmonious place.

In the end, it’s not about who outranks whom, but about how they complement each other to create something amazing.(Sorry for the cheese ) 

-Andrew

I like that, particularly as the band I currently play in keep trying to get me to come to the front and I have to keep explaining I like it at the back! I have to be at the front in the day job, I don't need the hassle of doing it in my spare time as well - so to take the analogy further I'm very happy for the lead players to decide (argue about) what we're playing and how we're going to arrange it, but equally I want them to leave me free to arrange my own part within that. Really good analogy, I'll use that one myself.

Sadly hardly anyone will let me play bass at the moment (not because of my awful bass playing, but because I'm mostly playing with very acoustic bands who get scared at the thought of anything electric!) But it's just as true for those of us who are strictly rhythm (we don't want to make it cry or sing...)

And taking it further - the "EngTech" horn player who can only play from sheet music, and will literally play the music that's in front of them, but will turn up on time for rehearsals and performances and play it right every time is just as vital!

Ah, the eternal struggle between acoustic purity and the electric revolution! Speaking of which, Bob Dylan is wrapping up his epic three-year tour this Sunday in Liverpool. It’s his last gig (I think) of the tour.