Important change for engineers: Constitutional Court annuls requirement applied during licensing process

Peru's Constitutional Court has issued a significant ruling that alters the requirements for engineers seeking professional licensure. The court declared a specific demand by the College of Engineers, the submission of documentation detailing the composition of a thesis jury, as inapplicable. This decision stems from a legal challenge initiated by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) against the College of Engineers (CIP). The CIP had insisted on receiving the thesis jury's official record, verifying that its members were registered and qualified professionals. The Constitutional Court, in its June 18, 2026 ruling, found this requirement to be in violation of constitutional principles safeguarding university autonomy, freedom of teaching, and academic freedom. Consequently, universities in Peru now retain the full authority to establish the academic criteria for their students' graduation. The court emphasized that higher education institutions are solely responsible for setting the necessary academic conditions for awarding professional degrees. The ruling noted that the PUCP's Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, for instance, did not mandate that jury members be affiliated with the relevant professional college. This judgment aims to prevent undue restrictions on engineers who have already obtained their professional degrees, ensuring they do not face hurdles in joining the professional college or practicing their careers.