Routes to membership

There are a number of routes to CIPD membership, which take into account your skills, experience and personal objectives. The following diagram will help you create a tailored shortlist of possible options for you. Simply consider the statements below and answer 'yes' or 'no'. Please start with statement 1 and consider each statement in the order it appears.

Choosing a CIPD qualification is the most popular way to become a member (you join as a Student member). We offer a wide range of nationally-recognised qualifications designed to suit everyone; from those with little or no experience to those in more senior positions.

• Go to the CIPD qualifications web pages 

If you’ve got five years’ recent managerial-level experience, three of which are in a specific HR or development role (you can currently demonstrate this through recent work-based evidence and documentation), then you can become a member through professional assessment of competence (PAC).

PAC will assess your existing experience, skills and competencies and fit alongside your busy work schedule, providing you with a seamless route to becoming a Chartered Member (Chartered MCIPD).

• Find out more about PAC

Affiliate membership is an individual grade that's open to all. It allows you to access all of our member services without having to demonstrate your professional knowledge and competence.

• Join today as an Affiliate member

Organisation Subscription offers named individuals within a company full access to member services. The number of named individuals will depend on the size of your organisation and names can be changed at any time.

• Find out more about Organisation Subscription

If you've already been awarded a CIPD qualification or a relevant NVQ/SVQ within the last ten years, then you can join through direct admission for approved qualifications.

• Find out if you're eligible for direct admission for approved qualifications

If you've achieved a relevant postgraduate-level qualification, then you can become a member is through accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL). Please note that APCL is only open to postgraduate programmes.

• Find out if you're eligible for APCL

If you've been awarded a relevant MBA within the last 10 years you automatically qualify for Licentiate membership. If you’re still studying for your MBA you can join us immediately as an Affiliate member and take advantage of all the benefits that membership brings. As soon as you complete your MBA we’ll upgrade you to Licentiate membership.

• Find out more about the MBA route

By rejoining the CIPD you'll be on your way to demonstrating your professionalism. Plus you can take advantage of our invaluable member benefits.

We've recently introduced a new Associate level of professional membership, complete with designatory letters Assoc CIPD to recognise professionalism below Chartered Member and Chartered Fellow.

Whether you've recently left the CIPD or it's been a few years since you were a member, we'd love to welcome you back.

• Find out more about returning to membership