Skip to content

Professional Development Assessment (PDA)

Our route to Chartered membership

Chartered status shows employers, recruiters, customers and peers that you’re at the top of your game. PDA is a route our Certified Members can take to progress to Chartered membership. It enables candidates to demonstrate their occupational safety and health (OSH) knowledge through evidence and assessment.

Who is PDA for?

Our PDA route is for Certified Members whose ambition is to achieve Chartered membership. 

Why become Chartered?

We are the only organisation in the world to offer Chartered membership to health and safety professionals. It aligns with Chartered status in other professions and will help you:

  • improve your ability to influence decision-makers
  • gain international recognition
  • work on an equal footing with other professionals
  • increase your employability.

How much does it cost?

Fee: £550, payable in full on registration. This has been set to cover the costs of delivering the assessment and does not generate a profit. In certain circumstances, we can offer concessionary fees to members. Check if you’re eligible for a 50 per cent discount. 

Please use the button below to register your interest – unless you are applying for a concessionary fees discount. In this case, please fill in the concessionary fees application form on the member support page instead.

What does PDA involve?

There are four stages in the process. The first three are hosted in Blueprint.

  1. Knowledge assessment.
    Answer multiple choice questions at Chartered level to establish your breadth and depth of knowledge against IOSH’s competency framework. Produce an action plan to address competencies requiring further development.
  2. Portfolio of evidence.
    Compile evidence to show how you have addressed any competency gaps.
  3. Professional discussion paper (3,000 to 5,000 words).
    Support your portfolio with a reflective statement on your progression, professional insights and a vision of your future and contribution to health and safety practice.
  4. Professional discussion interview.
    Attend an online interview structured around the previous three steps.
    Please note we will review your CPD prior to the interview.

How will IOSH assess me?

Our team of professional assessors and senior assessors/moderators – all Chartered Members or Chartered Fellows – will conduct the assessment process, overseen by IOSH’s Professional Development and Standards team.

What happens if I fail any stage of the process?

  • Knowledge assessment – you can take one resit after a six-month deferral period.
  • Portfolio – you can submit your initial portfolio criteria three times and, once passed, can submit your portfolio up to a maximum of three attempts.
  • Interview – there is no resit. However, if there are mitigating circumstances, we will review these on a case-by-case basis.

How long does it take to complete?

You have 18 months from your registration date to complete the PDA route – otherwise, you will have to register again.

What support is available?

You will be given feedback from our assessors at every stage of the process. You can take advantage of the resources held in Blueprint and gain support from an IOSH mentor.

You can also join one of our PDA workshops, which includes guidance on the process, hints and tips and the chance to ask questions.

Need further help? Contact our Professional Development and Standards team.

Anything else I need to know?

  • To apply, you must be a Certified Member who is committed to completing 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) annually.
  • There is no minimum length of membership requirement.
  • To become Chartered, you must also complete and pass IOSH Ethical Practice in OSH e-learning and assessment.

More info

Watch our PDA video for full details of our route to Chartered membership and catch up with our webinar. You can also read guidance on the next steps for the PDA route in the 'help' section on your Blueprint dashboard. 

PDA has replaced our Initial Professional Development (IPD) route to Chartered membership. If you're already registered on this route, you can access IPD information here. 

Not yet a member? Join at Affiliate level and, if eligible, you can progress your membership to a grade that reflects your knowledge and experience.