Career breaks

We operate a number of special registers for members whose personal circumstances have changed but who wish to remain in membership.

It is essential that you apply for one of these registers before your membership lapses. This is because you are only eligible if you are in membership.

These are:

• Career Bridge Register
• Retired Register
• Hardship Register

The benefit of transferring to a special register (as opposed to lapsing your membership) is that at a later stage you can transfer to the full membership register without having to reapply for membership. This will allow you to continue to receive full membership services.

• Find out more about returning to work after a career break.
• Find out more about Continuing professional development

Career Bridge Register

You can apply to go on the Career Bridge Register if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you are a current chartered (Chartered MCIPD, Chartered FCIPD, Chartered CCIPD) or Graduate member of the Institute
• you will not be working (full or part time) for at least a year
• you do not receive any form of remuneration or paid salary.

If you join the Career Bridge Register you'll pay half the annual membership fee (£59) and receive full member services. You can stay on the Career Bridge Register for a maximum of five years.

Retired Register

You can apply to go on the Retired Register if you meet all the following requirements:

• You are a chartered member (Chartered MCIPD, Chartered FCIPD or Chartered CCIPD) and have been in membership for at least five years.
• you are not in full-time paid employment
• you are aged 60 or over

• you are of any age and have certified permanent incapacity to work because of ill health.

If you join the Retired Register you pay a small annual fee (£29) and receive full member services.

Hardship Register

You can apply to join Hardship Register if you either currently seeking work or find it difficult to pay your fees. Applications must be made in writing to the Manager, Membership Adminstration. You can stay on this register for a maximum total of two years, depending on the length of time you have been in membership and your personal situation. Please note this register is not available to non-studying Affiliates.