Professional qualifications in the United Kingdom


Professional qualifications in the United Kingdom are titles or awards granted by professional bodies. Many British professional qualifications are subject to the European directives on professional qualifications. Most, but not all, professional qualifications are 'Chartered' qualifications, and follow on from having been admitted to a degree. The term "professional qualification" can also be used to refer to higher-level vocational qualifications in "professional" roles.

Regulation and levels

There are four forms of regulated profession in the UK, with respect to the European directives on professional qualifications: professions regulated by law or public authority; professions regulated by professional bodies incorporated by royal charter; professions regulated under Regulation 35; and the seven sectoral professions with harmonised training requirements across the European Union. The European directives are given force of law in the UK via regulations issued by the Secretary of State under the European Communities Act 1972; the most recent regulations are The European Union Regulations 2015.
The Gatsby Charitable Foundation has been supporting the development of professional qualifications for technicians, such as the Science Council's Registered Science Technician, the Engineering Council's Engineering Technician and ICT Technician, and the British Computer Society's Registered IT Technician. Analysis by the Foundation identifies three levels of professional qualification on a "registration ladder" in science and engineering: technician registration, requiring Advanced Apprenticeships, A Levels, BTEC nationals, or similar awards at levels 3–4 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework ; intermediate qualifications such as Incorporated Engineer and Registered Scientist requiring Higher Apprenticeships, Higher National Diplomas, foundation degrees, bachelor's degrees, or similar awards at levels 5–6; and chartered statuses such as CEng, CSci, CPhys, CChem, etc. that require master's degrees or similar qualifications at level 7 or above.
The European directives specify five levels of professional qualification in the general system, labelled a to e and approximately defined by their required academic training as:
On this scale, ICTTech, EngTech and other technician qualifications equate to level c, IEng equates to level d, and CEng, CSci, etc. elite to level e. Although chartered statuses in science and engineering are placed at level e, in some fields chartered statuses, while remaining terminal professional qualifications in that field, are at level d.

Professional qualifications requiring an attestation of competence

These professions are government regulated and involve reserved activities rather than a reserved title. Some of these are devolved matters that are not uniformly regulated across the UK. In most cases, the competent authority for these is a government department or agency.
Generic titleProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
Airport fire officer / airport firefighterAirport fire fighterCivil Aviation AuthorityUK
DiverDiverHealth and Safety Executive, Offshore Policy DivisionUK
Driving instructorApproved driving instructorDriver and Vehicle Standards AgencyGB
Driving instructorApproved driving instructor department of environment for N.I.Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency NI
Driving instructorCertified instructor Driver and Vehicle Standards AgencyGB
Registered Gas EngineerRegistered Gas EngineerCapita Gas Registration and Ancillary Services LtdUK
Road/Street Works professionsRoad/Street Works SupervisorStreet Works Qualifications RegisterEngland & Wales
Road/Street Works professionsRoad/street works operativeStreet Works Qualifications RegisterEngland & Wales
Security guard/WardenCash & Valuables in Transit OperativeSecurity Industry AuthorityUK
Security guard/WardenClose Protection OperativeSecurity Industry AuthorityUK
Security guard/WardenDoor SupervisorSecurity Industry AuthorityUK
Security guard/WardenPublic Surveillance OperativeSecurity Industry AuthorityUK
Security guard/WardenSecurity GuardSecurity Industry AuthorityUK
Security guard/WardenVehicle Immobiliser Security Industry AuthorityNI
Social workerChildminderOfstedEngland

Professional qualifications requiring education at secondary level

These professional qualifications are mostly, as in the previous category, government regulated with reserved activities, although some are through licensing of use of a reserved title.
Professions with reserved activities:
Generic titleProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
Airport fire officer / airport firefighterAirport fire officerCivil Aviation AuthorityUK
Mining electricianMines electricianHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
Mining mechanicMines mechanicHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK

Professions with protected titles under a licensing system:
Generic titleProfessionReserved titlesLicensing bodyRegion
Dental assistant/ Dental NurseDental NurseDental nurse, dental surgery assistantGeneral Dental CouncilUK

Professional qualifications requiring education for at least one year at post-secondary level

These qualifications now begin to include those which have protected titles without reserve of activities, normally granted by professional bodies under their royal charter rather than by statutory or regulatory bodies. Titles granted by professional bodies are often accompanied by postnominal letters.

Regulated by law or public authority

Professions with reserved activities or protected functions:
Generic titleProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
BoatmasterLicensed boatmasterDepartment for TransportUK
Chief engineer class I fishing vesselChief engineer class 1 fishing vesselMaritime & Coastguard AgencyUK
Chief engineer class I fishing vesselChief Engineer Class 2 - Fishing VesselsMaritime & Coastguard AgencyUK
ConveyancerExecutry PractitionerLaw Society of ScotlandScotland
ConveyancerQualified ConveyancerLaw Society of ScotlandScotland
Deck officer class I fishing vesselDeck Officer Class 1 - Fishing VesselsMaritime & Coastguard AgencyUK
Deck officer class II fishing vesselDeck Officer Class 2 Fishing VesselMaritime & Coastguard AgencyUK
Deck officer class III fishing vesselDeck Officer Class 3 - Fishing VesselsMaritime & Coastguard AgencyUK
Insolvency practitionerInsolvency practitionerInsolvency Service/Insolvency Service UK
Inspector of weights and measuresInspector of Weights & Measures in Northern IrelandDepartment of Economic DevelopmentNI
Inspector of weights and measuresInspector of weights and measuresDepartment for Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyGB
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorCosts LawyerCosts Lawyer Standards BoardEngland & Wales
Mining engineerMines electrical engineerHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
Mining engineerMines mechanical engineerHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
Mining supervisor/deputyMine deputyHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
Patent Agent / Trademark agentRegistered Trademark AttorneyInstitute of Trade Mark AttorneysUK
Patent Agent / Trademark agentRegistered trademark agentInstitute of Trade Mark AttorneysUK
Professions in the field of waste management and disposalWaste disposal manager Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory BoardNI
Second level nurseNurse Admitted to Sub-Part 2 of the Register maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery CouncilNursing and Midwifery CouncilUK
Specialised teachers, not elsewhere classifiedTeacher in Further Education Wales Assembly Government/Institute for LearningEngland & Wales
Veterinary nurseRegistered veterinary nurseRoyal College of Veterinary SurgeonsUK

Professions with protected titles under a licensing system:
Generic titleProfessionReserved titlesLicensing bodyRegion
Dental hygienistDental hygienistDental hygienistGeneral Dental CouncilUK
Dental technicianClinical dental technicianClinical dental technician, clinical dental technologist, denturistGeneral Dental CouncilUK
Dental technicianDental TechnicianDental technician, dental technologistGeneral Dental CouncilUK
Dental therapistDental therapistDental therapistGeneral Dental CouncilUK
Pharmaceutical technician/Pharmaceutical assistantPharmacy technicianPharmacy technicianGeneral Pharmaceutical CouncilGB
Blacksmith, Farrier, Forging, Stamping, PressingFarrierFarrierFarriers Registration CouncilUK

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titleRegulatory bodyRegion
ConveyancerLicensed conveyancerCouncil for Licensed ConveyancersUK
Dental therapistOrthodontic TherapistGeneral Dental CouncilUK

Regulated by professional bodies under royal charter

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titlePostnominal lettersProfessional bodyRegion
ColouristLicentiate of the Society of Dyers and ColouristsLSDCSociety of Dyers and ColouristsUK
Dance teacherLicentiate of the Royal Academy of DanceLRADRoyal Academy of DanceUK
Dance teacherRegistered Teacher of the Royal Academy of DanceRTRADRoyal Academy of DanceUK
EngineerEngineering technicianEngTechEngineering CouncilUK
EngineerICT TechnicianICTTechEngineering CouncilUK
Marketing consultantAssociate Member of The Chartered Institute of MarketingACIMChartered Institute of MarketingUK
MeteorologistRegistered MeteorologistRMetRoyal Meteorological SocietyUK
SurveyorAssociate Member of Royal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsARICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Textile expertLicentiate of the Textile InstituteLTITextile InstituteUK

Professional qualifications requiring bachelor's degree level education

Many of these are protected titles without reserve of activities, regulated by professional bodies acting under a royal charter. This includes a large number of chartered statuses, which are terminal professional qualifications in that field.

Regulated by law or public authority

Professions with reserved activities:
Generic titleProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
ActuaryActuaryInstitute and Faculty of ActuariesUK
Headmaster/School DirectorPrincipal of a further education institution in EnglandDepartment for EducationEngland
Mining managerMine managerHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
Mining surveyorMine surveyorHealth and Safety ExecutiveUK
NurseNurses admitted to Sub-Part 1 of the Register maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery CouncilNursing and Midwifery CouncilUK
Patent Attorney/Trademark AttorneyPatent AttorneyChartered Institute of Patent AttorneysUK
Primary school teacherSchool Teacher in State maintained schools National College for Teaching and Leadership/General Teaching Council for Scotland/General Teaching Council for Wales/General Teaching Council for Northern IrelandWales
Secondary school teacherSchool teacher in State maintained schools National College for Teaching and Leadership/General Teaching Council for Scotland/General Teaching Council for Wales/General Teaching Council for Northern IrelandUK

Professions with reserved activities and protected titles:
Generic titleProtected titleCompetent authorityRegion
Hearing aid dispenserHearing aid dispenserHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
Optician Dispensing opticianGeneral Optical CouncilUK

Professions with protected titles under a licensing system:
Generic titleProtected titleLicensing bodyRegion
Social workerSocial WorkerCare Council for Wales/Scottish Social Services Council/Northern Ireland Social Care CouncilWales, Scotland and NI

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titleRegulatory bodyRegion
Chiropodist Chiropodist, PodiatristHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
DietitianDietitianHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
LawyerAdvocate/Barrister/SolicitorFaculty of Advocates/Bar Council/Solicitors Regulation AuthorityScotland/England and Wales
Medical/Biomedical laboratory technicianBiomedical ScientistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
Occupational therapistOccupational therapistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
OrthoptistOrthoptistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
ParamedicParamedicHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
PhysiotherapistPhysiotherapistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
Prosthetist/OrthotistProsthetist, OrthotistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
RadiographerRadiographerHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
Social workerSocial WorkerHealth and Care Professions CouncilEngland
Speech and language therapistSpeech and language therapist, Speech therapistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
Surgical assistantOperating Department PractitionerHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK

Regulated by professional bodies under royal charter

Professions with reserved activities and protected titles:
Generic titleProtected titlePostnominal lettersProfessional bodyRegion
Environmental health officerEnvironmental Health PractitionerChartered Institute of Environmental HealthMCIEH/FCIEHUK

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titlePostnominal lettersProfessional bodyRegion
Accountant/Tax advisorChartered Tax AdvisorCTAChartered Institute of TaxationUK
Accountant/Tax advisorChartered Management AccountantCIMAChartered Institute of Management AccountantsUK
Auditor/AccountantChartered Certified AccountantACCA/FCCAAssociation of Chartered Certified AccountantsUK
Auditor/AccountantChartered AccountantACAInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales/Institute of Chartered Accountants in IrelandUK
Auditor/AccountantChartered AccountantCAInstitute of Chartered Accountants of ScotlandUK
BankerMember of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland MCIBSChartered Institute of Bankers in ScotlandGB
BankerMember of the Institute of Financial ServicesAifsInstitute of Financial ServicesUK
BiologistChartered BiologistCBiolSociety of BiologyUK
Building engineerAssociate of the Chartered Institute of BuildingACIBChartered Institute of BuildingUK
Building engineerChartered BuilderMCIOBChartered Institute of BuildingUK
Building SurveyorChartered Building SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Chartered SecretaryChartered SecretaryACISInstitute of Chartered Secretaries and AdministratorsUK
ColouristAssociateship of Society of Dyers and ColouristsASDCSociety of Dyers and ColouristsUK
ColouristChartered ColouristCColSociety of Dyers and ColouristsUK
Electrical and computer engineerMember of the Institution of Engineering and TechnologyMIETInstitution of Engineering and TechnologyUK
EngineerIncorporated EngineerIEngEngineering CouncilUK
Environmental engineerChartered Wastes ManagerMCIWMChartered Institution of Wastes ManagementUK
Environmental health officerEnvironmental Health OfficerMCIEH/FCIEHChartered Institute of Environmental HealthEngland & Wales
Forest engineerChartered ForesterMICFor/FICForInstitute of Chartered ForestersUK
GeographerChartered GeographerCGeogRoyal Geographical SocietyUK
Health and Safety OfficerChartered Safety and Health PractitionerCMIOSH/CFIOSHInstitution of Occupational Safety and HealthUK
Housing expertCIH Chartered MemberCIHCMChartered Institute of HousingUK
Information systems engineerChartered IT ProfessionalCITPBritish Computer SocietyUK
Insurance and reinsurance intermediariesChartered Insurance BrokerACIIChartered Insurance InstituteUK
Insurance and reinsurance intermediariesChartered Insurance PractitionerACIIChartered Insurance InstituteUK
Insurance underwriterChartered Financial PlannerAFPSChartered Insurance InstituteUK
Insurance underwriterChartered Insurer ACIIChartered Insurance InstituteUK
Land SurveyorChartered Land SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Legal ExecutiveChartered Legal ExecutiveFCILExChartered Institute of Legal ExecutivesUK
LibrarianChartered Institute of Library & Information ProfessionalsCILIPChartered Institute of Library and Information ProfessionalsUK
Loss adjusterChartered Loss AdjusterACLAChartered Institute of Loss AdjustersUK
Manager Chartered ManagerCMgrChartered Management InstituteUK
Marketing consultantChartered MarketerCMktrChartered Institute of MarketingUK
Marketing consultantMember of The Chartered Institute of MarketingMCIMChartered Institute of MarketingUK
Mathematical applications expertChartered MathematicianCMathInstitute of Mathematics and its ApplicationsUK
Mathematical applications expertChartered StatisticianCStatRoyal Statistical SocietyUK
Measurement and control technologistChartered Measurement and Control TechnologistMInstMCInstitute of Measurement and ControlUK
Mechanical engineerMember of the Institution of Mechanical EngineersMIMechEInstitution of Mechanical EngineersUK
MeteorologistChartered MeteorologistCMetRoyal Meteorological SocietyUK
Minerals surveyorChartered Minerals SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Mining and metallurgy expertMember of the Institute of Materials Minerals and MiningMIMMMInstitute of Materials, Minerals and MiningUK
Public finance accountantChartered Public finance accountantCPFAChartered Institute of Public Finance and AccountancyUK
Quantity surveyorChartered Quantity SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Shipbroker/Shipping AgentChartered ShipbrokerFICSInstitute of Chartered ShipbrokersUK
SurveyorChartered SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Textile expertChartered Textile TechnologistCTextTextile InstituteUK
Town planner/Town and Country PlannerChartered Town PlannerMRTPIRoyal Town Planning InstituteUK
Valuation surveyorChartered Valuation SurveyorMRICS/FRICSRoyal Institution of Chartered SurveyorsUK
Water service managerChartered Water and Environment ManagerMCIWEMChartered Institution of Water and Environmental ManagementUK

Professional qualifications requiring master's degree level education

Regulated by law or public authority

Professions with reserved activities and protected titles:
Generic titleProtected titleCompetent authorityRegion
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorBarristerGeneral Council of the BarEngland and Wales
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorBarristerHonourable Society of the Inn of Court of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorSolicitorLaw Society of England and WalesEngland and Wales
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorSolicitorLaw Society of ScotlandScotland
Lawyer/Barrister/SolicitorSolicitorLaw Society of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
PharmacistPharmacistGeneral Pharmaceutical CouncilGreat Britain
PharmacistPharmacistPharmaceutical Society of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Optometrist Optometrist General Optical CouncilEngland and Wales

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titleRegulatory bodyRegion
Arts therapist in the health serviceArt Psychotherapist, Art Therapist, Dramatherapist, Music TherapistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
ChiropractorChiropractorGeneral Chiropractic CouncilUK
Medical physicistClinical ScientistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK
OsteopathOsteopathGeneral Osteopathic CouncilUK
PsychologistPractitioner psychologistHealth and Care Professions CouncilUK

Regulated by professional bodies under royal charter

Professions with reserved activities:
Generic titleProfessionProfessional bodyRegion
ChemistAnalytical chemistRoyal Society of ChemistryUK

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titlePostnominal lettersProfessional bodyRegion
Aeronautical engineerMember of Royal Aeronautical SocietyMRAeSRoyal Aeronautical SocietyUK
Architectural TechnologistChartered Architectural TechnologistMCIATChartered Institute of Architectural TechnologistsUK
Building EngineerChartered Building Services EngineerMCIBSEChartered Institution of Building Services EngineersUK
Chemical EngineerChartered Chemical EngineerMIChemEInstitution of Chemical EngineersUK
ChemistChartered ChemistCChemRoyal Society of ChemistryUK
Civil EngineerChartered Civil Engineer, Member of ICEMICEInstitution of Civil EngineersUK
Civil EngineerChartered Structural EngineerMIStructEInstitution of Structural EngineersUK
Chartered ScientistChartered ScientistCSciScience CouncilUK
Energy EngineerChartered Energy EngineerMEI/FEIEnergy InstituteUK
EngineerChartered EngineerCEngEngineering CouncilUK
Environmental health officerChartered Environmental Health OfficerCh EHORoyal Environmental Health Institute of ScotlandUK
Environmental health officerEnvironmental Health OfficerEHORoyal Environmental Health Institute of ScotlandUK
Gas EngineerChartered Gas EngineerMIGEMInstitution of Gas Engineers and ManagersUK
GeologistChartered GeologistCGeolGeological SocietyUK
Landscape architect/designerMember of the Landscape InstituteCMLILandscape InstituteUK
Marine engineerChartered Marine EngineerCMarEngInstitute of Marine Engineering, Science and TechnologyUK
Naval architectMember of the Royal Institution of Naval ArchitectsMRINARoyal Institution of Naval ArchitectsEngland
Petroleum industry - production and processing of fuels and lubricantsChartered Petroleum EngineerMEI/FEIEnergy InstituteUK
PhysicistChartered PhysicistCPhysInstitute of PhysicsUK

Professional qualifications for which the level of education is not applicable

Regulated by law or public authority

Professions with reserved activities:
Generic titleProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
Notary publicNotary PublicMaster of the FacultiesEngland and Wales

Regulated by professional bodies under royal charter

Professions with reserved activities:
Generic titleProfessionPostnominal lettersProfessional bodyRegion
ArbitratorAssociate of the Chartered Institute of ArbitratorsACIArbChartered Institute of Arbitrators UK

Professions with protected titles without reserve of activities:
Generic titleProtected titlePostnominal lettersProfessional or regulatory bodyRegion
ArbitratorMember of the Chartered Institute of ArbitratorsMCIArbChartered Institute of ArbitratorsUK
ArbitratorChartered ArbitratorFCIArbChartered Institute of ArbitratorsUK

Professional qualifications in sectoral professions

The "sectoral professions" are ones which are regulated in every EU country and where training and education requirements have been harmonised. There is therefore no explicit training level associated with the qualifications in the regulations as the educational requirements do not vary between countries and do not need to be compared. All of these are regulated by law or public authority, not by professional bodies.
ProfessionCompetent authorityRegion
ArchitectArchitects Registration BoardUK
Dental PractitionerGeneral Dental CouncilUK
Doctor with basic trainingGeneral Medical CouncilUK
Doctor: Specialist doctorGeneral Medical CouncilUK
Doctor: General PractitionerGeneral Medical CouncilUK
Nurse and midwifeNursing and Midwifery CouncilUK
PharmacistGeneral Pharmaceutical CouncilGB
PharmacistPharmaceutical Society of Northern IrelandNI
Veterinary SurgeonRoyal College of Veterinary SurgeonsUK

Professional qualifications not included in the European directives

Not all chartered titles are included in the European directives on professional qualifications, but all UK chartered titles, and some lower-level titles, are issued by a professional body under the authority of a royal charter and are thus recognised professional qualifications. These qualifications are sometimes associated with professions that are included in the directives as regulated under law or by public authority.
Non-chartered titles:
ProfessionalPostnominal lettersProfessional body
Registered Environmental TechnicianREnvTechSociety for the Environment
Registered IT TechnicianRITTechBritish Computer Society
Registered Science TechnicianRSciTechScience Council
Registered ScientistRSciScience Council
Registered Marine TechnologistRMarTechIMarEST

Chartered titles:
ProfessionalPostnominal lettersProfessional body
Chartered ArboriculturalistMICForInstitute of Chartered Foresters
Chartered ArchitectRIBARoyal Institute of British Architects
Chartered DesignerMCSD & FCSDChartered Society of Designers
Chartered DirectorCDirInstitute of Directors
Chartered EnvironmentalistCEnvSociety for the Environment
Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors SpecialistCErgHFChartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors
Chartered HorticulturistCHortChartered Institute of Horticulture
Chartered Internal AuditorCMIIA/CFIIAChartered Institute of Internal Auditors
Chartered LinguistCLChartered Institute of Linguists
Chartered Mathematics TeacherCMathTeachInstitute of Mathematics and its Applications
Chartered Member/Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Professional DevelopmentChartered MCIPD/Chartered FCIPDChartered Institute of Professional Development
Chartered Member/Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and InvestmentChartered MCISI/Chartered FCISIChartered Institute for Securities and Investment
Chartered Member/Fellow of the Institute of Logistics and TransportCMILT/FCILTChartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
Chartered Patent Attorney/AgentCPAChartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
Chartered PhysiotherapistMCSPChartered Society of Physiotherapy
Chartered Procurement and Supply ProfessionalMCIPS/FCIPSChartered Institute of Procurement and Supply
Chartered PsychologistCPsycholBritish Psychological Society
Chartered Public Relations PractitionerChart.PRChartered Institute of Public Relations
Chartered Quality ProfessionalsCQPChartered Quality Institute
Chartered Radiation Protection ProfessionalCRadPSociety for Radiological Protection]
Chartered Science TeacherCSciTeachScience Council
Chartered Security ProfessionalCSyPChartered Security Professionals Registration Authority
Chartered Teacher of EnglishCTEEnglish Association
Chartered Wealth ManagerChartered MCISI/Chartered FCISIChartered Institute for Securities and Investment