Progress to your next IOSH membership grade

Make sure you get the most out of your membership – ensure your grade accurately reflects your health and safety experience and qualifications. If you’re a new member, you can request an initial review to see if you’re eligible to upgrade to Technical or Certified membership. This page shows you the qualifications and experience needed for each grade.

• What should I include in my CV/resumé?

  Include the following for each health and safety role:

  • Job title
  • Organisation name
  • Start and end dates (mm/yyyy format)
  • Role and responsibilities

  Be specific about what each role involved – focus on health and safety tasks rather than broad generalisations.

  Use action words like: Apply, Lead, Develop, Manage, Produce, Carry out, Create, Oversee, Review.

  Also include details of your health and safety qualifications.

• Why does IOSH need my qualification documents?

  We will need to assess all submitted documentation as part of your upgrade request, which will vary by your intended membership level. This may include:

  • final qualification certificate – confirmation that you have achieved the relevant qualification
  • unit evidence – used to confirm that the qualification completed is in line with the relevant accreditation agreement
  • CV or category transfer form – this information is used to assess your experience. If the provided document does not meet the experience requirements, you may be provided with the opportunity to submit further evidence. IOSH will accept up to three submissions of experience evidence within a six-month period.
• What does IOSH need to check if my qualifications are accredited?

  Accreditation is the process through which an institution has had their qualification assessed to confirm that it meets the requirements for a specific IOSH membership grade.
   
  For a full list of accredited qualifications, please see our qualification directory. 

  Non-accredited qualifications

  If your qualification is at the correct level but is not currently accredited by IOSH, you can still apply via the non-accredited route. However, we may need some additional information to support your application. Please contact us for the application process.

  Once we have received all the required documents, we have 30 working days or six weeks to complete the mapping on your behalf (the applicant), and provide an outcome for our Professional Development and Standards area to share with you.

• Do I have to pay to request an upgrade?

  No. It's free to request an upgrade to Technical or Certified membership by submitting your qualification and CV.

  You only pay if you choose to upgrade based on your experience or are upgrading to Chartered Membership or Fellowship.

• When do I start paying my new membership fee?

  You pay the annual fee for your new membership grade at your next renewal date, not immediately.

• What if I can’t afford the membership fee?

  We offer reduced membership fees in some circumstances. Check if you’re eligible for help with membership costs.

• How long does it take to process an upgrade request?

  Most standard upgrade requests for Technical and Certified membership (with correct documents) are reviewed within six weeks.

  The professional development assessment (PDA) route to Chartered membership takes between three and six months. 

  The experiential route to upgrade to Certified or Chartered membership based on your experience can take up to 18 months.

• What happens after I’m approved?

  You’ll receive confirmation of your new grade and get access to all the benefits that come with it. 

  Your new annual fee starts at your next renewal date.

• What’s the experiential route?

  It's a way for experienced health and safety practitioners without a degree to move up our membership grades.

  If you have more than five years of senior-level health and safety experience, you can use this route to become a Certified or Chartered Member.

  It can take up to 18 months and includes a knowledge assessment, evidence portfolio and professional discussion interview.

• Is the experiential route faster than getting a degree?

  Yes, it takes up to 18 months months compared to the usual three years for a Bachelor’s degree.

  It costs £1,080 and involves detailed assessment.

• What’s the difference between the experiential and PDA routes to Chartered membership?

  Experiential route (£1,080) is for those with at least five years of senior experience but no health and safety degree.

  PDA (£550) is only for Certified Members upgrading to Chartered.

  Both involve assessment, but they’re different pathways.