Why membership matters
IOSH explains what being a member means, the differences in membership grades, what is expected of members, and how being a member of IOSH can progress your career.
What is IOSH?
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the Chartered global professional body for people who work or have an interest in occupational safety and health (OSH). Individuals can become Chartered Members of the Institution if they meet the standards that IOSH sets for the OSH profession.
What are the IOSH membership grades?
IOSH membership grades are aligned to IOSH’s Competency Framework and reflect differing levels of OSH experience and qualifications. The Competency Framework is a set of core, technical and behavioural skills that IOSH considers are essential for OSH professionals.
IOSH has six membership grades. Most people join at Student or Affiliate level and then move up.
1. Student Member – studying an IOSH-accredited qualification.
2. Affiliate Member – interested in OSH but without active OSH experience.
3. Technical Member – has an accredited qualification (e.g. a certificate or level 3 apprenticeship) and at least one year’s relevant OSH experience.
4. Certified Member – has a higher-level accredited qualification (e.g. diploma or degree) and at least two years’ relevant OSH experience.
5. Chartered Member – the highest professional standard in OSH. Professional Development Assessment is the process for attaining this.
6. Chartered Fellow – a special member grade for members who have maintained Chartered status for five years and can demonstrate outstanding dedication to the profession.
All members at Technical level and above must complete 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) a year to retain their membership grade.
What are the expectations at each membership level?
Broadly speaking, Student Members are either moving into OSH as a first-choice career or changing career. What they have in common is that they are studying an IOSH-accredited qualification, which has been mapped to the Competency Framework. Student Members may be studying full-time or part-time, and already have OSH responsibilities at work. Student membership also includes OSH professionals who have started an accredited qualification and want to join IOSH for the first time.
Affiliate membership is open to anyone actively engaged in or considering a career OSH. It is also for those with an active interest in the OSH sector, who want to connect to a global health and safety support network. Members in this category may not be working in an OSH role, but may have OSH responsibilities.
Technical membership is for people with entry-level OSH qualifications (e.g. a certificate) who have some experience of working in OSH. Typically, these members may have the name coordinator, officer or advisor in their job title.
Certified membership reflects a higher level of qualification and experience, typical of more senior advisor roles, managers and directors. Chartered Members often have senior management or board-level positions. Certified and Chartered Members may choose to work in consultancy.
Why does membership matter?
Becoming a member of IOSH provides you a structure for developing your career in OSH. You gain access to the latest thinking and practices you need to be successful in the profession. You become part of a global network of fellow professionals, sharing their knowledge, skills and experience. Membership of IOSH demonstrates to your peers, employers and customers that you are serious about your work and professional development.
There are many benefits that come with IOSH membership, including IOSH magazine, a bespoke CPD platform and e-learning library, a dedicated online Career Hub, networking opportunities, a structured framework for development and member discounts. There are specific student benefits, such as an annual bursary.
IOSH brings together members from all backgrounds and all cultures, to facilitate discussion and enable the exchange of ideas and practice. Membership provides valuable opportunities for mentoring and forging professional connections.
