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Upgrade your IOSH membership

How to progress to your next 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 displays the qualifications and experience needed for each grade.

Whether you’re an existing member or have just joined IOSH, you can fill in our online form to request an upgrade to Technical or Certified membership. Check out the criteria below. Alternatively, you can download the membership upgrade form at the bottom of this page and email it to us.

For each membership grade, we set out the requirements below. We have listed the required IOSH-accredited qualification where applicable. If your qualification is at the right level but isn’t accredited by IOSH, you can still apply but we may require additional information. 

You may also be eligible to advance to one of our higher membership grades by following a professional assessment route. Please note that you need to apply for the assessment route directly and fees apply.

    To upgrade to Technical membership, or request an initial review, please fill in the online form above. You will need to provide the documents below.

    • IOSH-accredited level 3 (or equivalent) qualification certificate(s). 
    • Supporting unit transcript/module pages and/or unit certificates.
    • A full, up-to-date CV/resumé explaining your relevant health and safety experience (at least one year), which you are welcome to support with your LinkedIn profile, OR a completed IOSH membership upgrade form.

    Please note: we may request further information after the initial review. This generally applies to qualifications which are not accredited by IOSH. We need to check that the content of the qualification(s) is equivalent to the level required for Technical membership. Remember to send all requested documents to avoid unnecessary delay to your application.

    To upgrade to Certified membership, or request an initial review, please fill in the online form above. You will need to provide the documents listed below.

    • IOSH-accredited level 6 or 7 (or equivalent) qualification final certificate.
    • Supporting unit transcript/module pages and/or unit certificates.
    • A full, up-to-date CV/resumé explaining your relevant health and safety experience (at least two years), which you are welcome to support with your LinkedIn profile, OR a completed IOSH membership upgrade form.

    Please note: we may request further information after the initial review. This generally applies to qualifications which are not accredited by IOSH. We need to check that the content of the qualification(s) is equivalent to the level required for Certified membership. Remember to send all requested documents to avoid unnecessary delay to your application.

    OR

    If you have five to 10 years’ relevant OSH leadership experience but don’t have an accredited level 6 qualification, you may be eligible to progress your membership through our experiential route.

    Read more about the experiential route and apply.

    If you’re a Certified Member, you can progress to Chartered membership through our Professional Development Assessment (PDA) route. You’ll build on your current knowledge, understanding and experience through our supported professional development assessment process.

    Read more about the PDA and apply.

    If you’re a Chartered Member of at least five years’ standing with a minimum of five years’ senior health and safety leadership, you can progress to our highest level of membership through our Fellowship route.

    Read more about the Fellowship route and apply.

Not yet a member?

If you’re interested in joining IOSH but wish to confirm your membership grade eligibility first, email our team and include your documentation.

What should I include in my CV/resumé?

To help us process your upgrade request as quickly as possible, please include the following information for all your health and safety jobs. Start with your current role.

  • Job title
  • Organisation name
  • Start date and end date in month/year format
  • Role and responsibilities

Provide details of what each role involved – don’t assume we know. Focus on specific health and safety tasks and responsibilities and avoid generalisation or broad statements.

Use the following action words to describe your role and responsibilities.

  • Apply – put into operation.
  • Lead – guide and take responsibility for others.
  • Support/assist – help with.
  • Manage – hold the main responsibility of a function or to lead others on an activity.
  • Produce/prepare – undertake an activity and develop an outcome.
  • Carry out/undertake – be responsible for completing an activity.
  • Create/draft – develop or produce.
  • Oversee – review others’ activities.
  • Review – check others’ activities.

You also need to include details of your health and safety qualifications, as described in the Grades section above.