Registration FAQ’s

What is a professional body?

A professional association, institute or society is an organisation created by a Royal Charter or memorandum of Association to support a specific profession. Members are invited to join a grade of membership commensurate with their qualifications and standing within the profession. Its role is to support members and promote professional standards.

Why do I have to be a member of a professional body?

 The Institute is licensed by the relevant awarding and regulatory bodies to admit eligible members to the professional registers through a robust process of peer assessment. These licensing bodies require assurance that all registrants remain in good professional standing. As they do not maintain direct contact with individual registrants, they rely on licensed professional bodies such as the Institute to uphold standards on their behalf. The Institute maintains a Code of Professional Conduct and formal disciplinary procedures that meet the requirements of each awarding body and are used to safeguard the integrity, quality, and reputation of every Professional Register we administer.

Why do I have to describe how I do my job when I already have a degree?

The requirements for each Register are not just about qualifications. Learning about a subject is important but correctly putting knowledge and skills into practice is what makes a competent practitioner. An academic qualification demonstrates your achievement whereas professional registration recognises your career development and on-the-job learning alongside any formal qualifications. The people who assess the applications for registration have to build up a picture of your skills and how you apply them in your normal working life.

What are the competencies that I have to possess?

Professional registration requires evidence that you can apply your knowledge and understanding in practice. You must demonstrate personal responsibility, effective interpersonal and communication skills, professional judgement, and a commitment to high standards of technical practice. Registrants are also expected to evidence ethical behaviour, adherence to professional standards and codes of conduct, and an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability within their professional role.

Is registration recognised in other countries?

European Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications works on the basic principle that an individual fully qualified to practice a regulated profession in one member state should be treated, in principle, as qualified to practice that same profession in another Member State.  In August 2007, Chartered Scientist was accepted for the purposes of the directive as a regulated profession, with the Science Council appointed as the Competent Authority. Acceptance of the new RSci and RSciTech followed after the pilot project had been evaluated.  A Licensed body is able to register overseas members, provided that they can satisfy the criteria for registration.

After I’ve sent off my application, how long does the process take?

When all the required information has been received, The IST will endeavour to inform you within 4-6 weeks of receiving your application as to the decision of the assessment, but in exceptional cases this may take up to 3 months.

Who assesses my competencies report?

Your competencies report is assessed by at least two other people who are already on the Register that you have applied for and who have experience in the area in which you work.  If they find an area that does not meet the required standard, they will indicate where extra information is required.

Can I become an assessor?

Yes, if you have the enthusiasm, time and expertise.  Training is provided.  Contact the Registrar at registrations@istonline.org.uk.

What is the IST’s PPD?

The IST’s Professional and Personal Development scheme (PPD) is the way in which members of the IST record all the activities that contribute towards their professional development.  It is accessible to all members, irrespective of grade, but is a specific requirement for Registered members and the IST’s Registered Practitioners.

What is the difference between membership and registration?

Membership of the IST is open to anybody working in or interested in science and technology.  (There are different grades of membership reflecting qualifications and seniority in the workplace.)

Professional Registration is a separate process which enables suitably qualified and experienced members to be admitted to either the Science Council’s registers of competent practitioners or to the IST’s register.

Why do I have to pay for registration on top of my membership fees?

The membership fee covers the costs of providing members with the services of a professional body.  The Registration fee includes a levy that is paid for administration associated with members’ applications and renewals.

How can I get help filling in the forms?

E-mail the Registrar (registrations@istonline.org.uk).  Describe your problem and someone will get in touch with you to offer help and guidance.

How long does it take to fill in the forms?

There is no denying that the Competences Report can take some time to complete.  The purpose of this report is to enable the IST to get a picture of the type of work that you do, including your responsibilities, the underpinning knowledge that you use and your interactions with others.  This information is mapped to the standards set by the relevant organisation. If the IST feels that your report doesn’t quite reach these standards, you will be notified of the area/s where clarification is required and given the opportunity to amend your report. Therefore, it is worthwhile spending time on the Competences Report and ‘getting it right first time’.

What sort of thing can I include for PPD?

In addition to courses and formal qualification programmes, you can include other activities and aspects of your normal working life that enhance your professional confidence and competence.  Examples include:

▪️ Training colleagues
▪️ Making presentations in-house and/or at external events
▪️ Reading technical papers and journals
▪️ Researching new techniques and experimental methods
▪️ Devising and implementing improvements to existing practices
▪️ Mentoring junior colleagues
▪️ Developing new procedures

If you are working for a qualification, you could select and evaluate each specific aspect that is contributing to your development and claim PPD points for each one.

I am a technician so am I eligible to apply for the higher registration levels?

Yes absolutely, technicians are vital to science, creative development and AI emerging technologies, for research, teaching and innovation. Completing the higher professional registration levels allows you to demonstrate further skills and knowledge and gives you as a technician, the recognition you deserve.

I have changed my position in the last 5 years. Am I able to take examples from a prior job in addition to my current one?

Yes you are but make sure you contact the registration officer to make provision for a second reference.

My current job is probably not so compatible with the Chartered or Advanced registration level as my previous position, which was more demanding and more in line with the higher level competencies. What should I do??

Providing your previous more demanding position falls within the last 5 years, then it is permissible to provide two references and mix and match competency examples from your current position with a previous more demanding position. Whilst you might want to take examples from a prior position, it is also circumspect to include other examples where necessary from your current job.

Is experience in an unpaid position valid for competency answers?

In short yes. It is not about whether work is paid or unpaid. It is about whether you accrue experiences in a Professional environment and your responsibilities in that environment.

Can I apply for a Chartered or Advanced level if I do not hold a managerial position within my organisation?

It is not about your grading or job title, it is about the actual responsibilities you discharge in your role. It is not uncommon for example for experienced personnel to be given responsibilities above their grading, e.g. fiscal responsibilities or managerial responsibilities. It is about what you personally do, not what your grading or job description might imply.

I am teaching technician and not therefore engaged in research. Do I have material that can be used to populate the competency form?

In short yes. The competencies are not geared towards research but rather generic:  Setting up classes, interacting with students, troubleshooting practical problems and redesigning classes to improve performance are just a few examples of teaching job attributes that could be used to answer multiple competencies.