WPH,
I don't think it was ever quite as simple as 'get rank, get status' but it would probably have made the assessment easier as it would have been known what a JEngo, AEO, OLAE course would have involved and the path was there. there would have still been some sort of assessment and form filling.
Overall, I think the last 2 posts from Mr C and Army Mover sum it up nicely.
G
...Still CEng