I get asked this question so often, I have written this handy post for anyone looking to upgrade their CIPD membership to become a Chartered Member of the CIPD.
I love hearing about people’s CIPD journey, their individual experiences of success bring me joy! Everyone achieves their career successes in a unique way, so I never tire of hearing what got them to where they are now. This is what Dipesh and I are discussing in the picture above. It is absolutely one of my favourite pictures of my career!
Let’s face it, we are not very good at rewarding our achievements, so upgrading your CIPD designation is a really great way of doing this. Becoming a Chartered Member is one of the most sought after levels of CIPD membership, so hopefully this post will help you to identify if this is the right path for you.
Whether you’re looking to move up, move on, or set up on your own, your CIPD membership can help to open those doors to new opportunities in the people profession. It inspires confidence in your abilities, as well as positively influences employers and clients, becoming an invaluable asset for your future career.
Is Chartered Membership Right for You?
At the Chartered Member grade, you’ll be:
- Using your expertise to make informed decisions
- Influencing organisational strategies
- Delivering positive change through people solutions
This grade could be for you if you:
- Have at least one year of experience working at Chartered Member level within the last five years
- Are an experienced people professional working operationally while thinking strategically
- Deliver people solutions that drive organisational change
- Lead thinking in your area of people practice
- Understand the wider impact of your work on business practices and goals
- Collaborate effectively across organisational boundaries
- Provide insights on business and professional trends
- Make evidence-based judgements from multiple sources
Experience Assessment: Your Path to Membership
What is Experience Assessment?
Experience Assessment is a flexible route to CIPD membership for seasoned people professionals. It allows you to become a member by demonstrating how you meet the membership standards through:
- A written submission
- A professional discussion with an experienced assessor
This route:
- Takes as little as three months
- Requires no study or exams
- Assesses your real-world knowledge and behaviours
Who is it for?
Experience Assessment is designed for professionals with recent experience in the people profession. It provides an opportunity to:
- Reflect on your career, skills, and knowledge
- Showcase your professional expertise
- Gain membership based on your practical experience
Key requirements:
- Evidence must predominantly come from the last five years
- Demonstrate alignment with CIPD membership standards
- Can lead to Associate, Chartered Member, or Chartered Fellow status
Become a Chartered Member: Three Pathways
1. Study a Qualification
Complete a CIPD Advanced Diploma to be awarded Associate membership, then upgrade to Chartered Member.
2. Experience Assessment
Use the CIPD’s non-study route to apply for membership based on your professional experience.
3. Membership Upgrade
If you’re an existing Associate Member with a CIPD Advanced Diploma, upgrade to Chartered Member.
Your Professional Recognition
When you achieve Chartered Membership, you can proudly use the designation Chartered MCIPD after your name – a mark of your professional excellence in people practice.
Are you considering upgrading your CIPD membership? Let me know what your thoughts are on this and your career aspirations in the comments!
Natalie Ellis HR 