IOSH
Affiliate membership
Take your first step into the health and safety profession with access to resources, networking and career support
Who is it for?
Interested in occupational safety and health but not sure where to start? Affiliate membership gives you everything you need to explore the profession and build your career.
You can join if you're interested in OSH but don’t yet have the qualifications or experience for Technical or Certified membership. This is your starting point if you’re changing careers, working in a related role, or building experience before progressing to higher grades.
For £230 in your first year (then £165 annually), you’ll get full access to professional resources, career support and a global network of 50,000 health and safety practitioners.
How Affiliate membership helps you
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Career foundation
Build your career from day one.
- Access to knowledge library
- CPD tools to track your development
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Professional network
Connect with 50,000 members worldwide.
- Local and specialist communities
- Learn from experienced practitioners
- Find a mentor
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Clear progression route
Work towards TechIOSH or CertIOSH.
- Clear membership requirements
- Career guidance and salary surveys
- Training discounts to accelerate progress
Start your health and safety career today
No qualifications or experience needed. If you’re interested in health and safety, you’re eligible to join.
Good to know
- Your employer may cover membership as professional development
- Most members save more than the annual fee through training discounts
- Financial support available for eligible members
How to progress
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Build your experience
Work in a health and safety-related role and start recording your CPD to demonstrate your development.
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Gain your qualification
Study for a level 3 (Technical membership) or level 6+ (Certified membership) qualification.
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Request your upgrade
Once you meet the requirements, complete the upgrade form with your qualification certificate and CV. There’s no additional assessment fee.
Upgrade options
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Upgrade to Technical membership
This is free to request. You will need:
- Level 3 qualification (IOSH accredited)
- One year of relevant experience
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Upgrade to Certified membership
This is free to request. You’ll need:
- Level 6 or 7 qualification (for example, a Bachelor’s degree)
- Two years of relevant experience
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Upgrade based on experience
This route costs £1,080 and takes up to six months. You can use it if you:
- have five years of leadership experiece
- don’t have formal qualifications
Not ready to progress?
That’s fine. Stay as an Affiliate Member as long as you need. There’s no time limit, and you’ll continue to access all member benefits.
Your questions answered
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Yes. Affiliate membership is specifically for people who are interested in occupational safety and health but don’t yet meet the requirements for Technical or Certified membership. If you’re exploring the profession, changing careers or building experience, this is the right grade for you.
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Student membership (£15) is for people currently studying an IOSH qualification or IOSH-accredited qualification. Affiliate membership is for everyone else interested in occupational safety and health. This includes career changers, those in related roles or working towards their first qualification. If you're not currently studying, Affiliate membership is the right choice.
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Yes. Once you gain the relevant qualification and experience, you can request an upgrade at any time. There’s no additional assessment fee – just submit your documents and we’ll review your application. Most Affiliate Members progress within two to three years.
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All IOSH members commit to continuing professional development (CPD), but we make it straightforward. You record the learning you’re already doing online for free - courses, reading, on-the-job experience all count. There’s no minimum hours requirement for Affiliate Members. Focus on quality development that supports your career goals.
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Yes. Affiliate membership demonstrates you’re serious about health and safety and committed to professional standards. Many employers value IOSH membership at all levels and see it as evidence of your dedication to the profession. You can say you’re an Affiliate Member on your CV and other professional materials.