Become a member
All you need to know about the various routes to becoming a CIPD member.
All you need to know about the various routes to becoming a CIPD member.
Whether you’re just starting out, building your career, or working at the highest level, there’s a route to CIPD membership to suit you and a membership grade to demonstrate your level of knowledge and experience.
There are several ways you can be awarded membership of the CIPD: you can either study for a CIPD qualification or have your professional experience assessed.
Once you've completed your qualification you'll be rewarded with either Foundation or Associate Membership. You can then progress on to Chartered Membership or Chartered Fellowship. If you are an experienced people professional, and qualifications are not for you, you can be awarded Associate, Chartered Member, or Chartered Fellow by completing our direct entry, Experience assessment.
If you’re already studying for a CIPD qualification, you can join as a Student Member today.
Route to membership
If you’re beginning or developing your career in the people profession become a member by studying a qualification.
You enrol at a study centre to take a qualification, completing relevant modules and coursework
It takes eight to 12 months to complete our new Foundation qualification, 12-16 months for our Associate qualifications, 16-24 months for our Advanced qualifications.
Depending on the qualification you study, you’ll become either a Foundation or Associate Member, and may be able to upgrade to Chartered Member or Fellow if you have the required experience.
Route to membership
If you’re an experienced people professional and can demonstrate how you meet the membership standards, become a member by completing an Experience Assessment.
Route to membership
Student membership shows you’re committed to your professional future. It gives you the strength of CIPD support for your study success, and works with CIPD qualifications to put you on the path to professional recognition.
This grade could be for you if:
When you complete your studies, you’ll become a Foundation Member or Associate Member.
Academic membership is for academics and researchers working in the field of HR and L&D.
In order to be awarded an Academic membership grade, you'll be formally assessed via an online Microsoft Teams Peer Review discussion with one of our academic assessors who are experienced academics. We’ll also gain workplace feedback from people you work with about your work and the impact this has had in your institution and the HR profession
Throughout 2024, we'll be announcing a line-up of tools and resources, tailored to support you throughout your membership.
Explore our extensive member benefits, designed to support you in your work and to help you develop your career.
Information and guidance to help you excel in your role, transition into the profession, and manage a career break
Join our community of champions for better work and working lives – explore our events, networks, awards and volunteering opportunities