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Recruit the right health and safety professional

A guide for recruiters, employers and recruiting managers

Understand which IOSH-accredited professional is right for your role and access trusted routes to recruit competent health and safety talent.

Why hire qualified health and safety professionals?

  • Reduce accidents

    Prevent workplace incidents and illness.

  • Improve performance

    Healthier workplaces drive productivity.

  • Support sustainability

    Protecting people strengthens organisational resilience.

Why choose IOSH-accredited professionals?

IOSH is the leading chartered professional body for occupational safety and health. Our membership grades provide independent recognition of a professional's competence, experience and ongoing development.

Each membership grade is aligned to the IOSH competency framework, helping recruiters and employers identify candidates with the right knowledge, skills and behaviours for their role.

Members from TechIOSH and above are required to maintain their continuing professional development (CPD), giving employers confidence that their expertise remains current.

  • Competency assured

    Membership grades match with the IOSH competency framework.

  • CPD maintained

    Members continuously develop skills and knowledge.

  • Ethical standards

    Chartered Members complete ethical practice requirements.

  • Independent validation

    Membership grade reflects professional capability.

Find the right IOSH professional for your organisation

  • Student Members are studying towards an IOSH qualification, an IOSH-accredited qualification or a safety, health and environment apprenticeship. They may have limited practical experience but often bring enthusiasm, transferable skills and a willingness to learn.

    They are well suited to trainee, graduate and administrative roles where they can develop their knowledge and gain workplace experience.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Health and safety trainee
    • Administrator

    Common opportunities

    • Apprenticeships
    • Graduate positions
    • Entry-level opportunities

  • Affiliate Members are actively engaged in or considering a career in health and safety. No qualification is required for this grade, making it an accessible entry point for those looking to develop their skills and experience.

    They are often suitable for roles where health and safety responsibilities form part of a wider position rather than being the primary focus of the role.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Individuals with health and safety responsibilities as part of a broader role

    Common opportunities:

    • Broader business roles
    • Individuals exploring health and safety careers

  • Technical Members have achieved an appropriate level 3 qualification (or equivalent) and have relevant practical experience in an operational health and safety role.

    They maintain their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. TechIOSH members are typically suited to coordinator and advisor roles, supporting organisations with day-to-day health and safety activities and compliance.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Assistant advisor
    • Advisor

    Common opportunities

    • Co-ordinators
    • Advisors
    • Operational practitioners

  • Certified Members have advanced qualifications and significant professional experience. They may be working towards Chartered status and are required to maintain their CPD record.

    Those with CertIOSH are well suited to senior advisory and management positions, where they can lead programmes, influence strategy and support organisational decision-making.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Manager

    Common opportunities

    • Managers
    • Senior advisors

  • Chartered Members represent a recognised benchmark of professional competence and leadership within the health and safety profession.

    They have demonstrated advanced knowledge, experience and commitment to professional development, including completion of our ethical practice requirements. CMIOSH members are ideal for senior management, leadership and strategic roles with responsibility for organisational health and safety performance.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Senior manager
    • Consultant

    Common opportunities

    • Senior leaders
    • Board-level professionals
    • Consultants

  • Chartered Fellows are the most senior grade of IOSH membership and demonstrate sustained leadership, influence and commitment to the profession.

    They typically hold significant strategic experience and a proven record of advancing health and safety outcomes within organisations and across industries. CFIOSH members are particularly suited to director-level positions, executive leadership roles and specialist consultancy services.

    Typically suitable for hiring

    • Director
    • Consultant

    Common opportunities:

    • Directors
    • Strategic consultants

IOSH membership provides independent assurance that a health and safety professional has achieved the appropriate level of competence, experience and ongoing professional development. Membership grades are aligned to the IOSH competency framework and supported by continuing professional development requirements.

Not sure what level you need?

Our competency framework can help match capability requirements to your role.

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Raising the bar

“I now call on employers to adopt IOSH membership levels as a benchmark when recruiting their next health and safety professional. The appropriate level of IOSH membership is a reliable, external validation that your health and safety professional is truly competent.”

Chris Newson CFIOSH
Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Director • Make UK

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More support for your business

IOSH for business

Good occupational safety and health makes good business sense at board, manager and worker levels. IOSH for Business helps organisations of every size with occupational safety and health strategies.