
Chartered Fellow
For people professionals who combine strategic insight and people expertise with commercial acumen, to change the way organisations think about their people

Leading the people profession
Chartered Fellow is a clear sign of your proven strategic abilities, people expertise and business impact. It shows you are committed to inspiring and shaping the future of the people profession.
You are recognised as a thought leader, influencer and expert change agent in today’s evolving workplace. You are advancing people strategy as a positive force for good, and proving its value in the world of work..
Being a Chartered Fellow also gives you a respected platform to influence change, shape policy, and deepen your engagement with the people profession.
This grade could be for you if…
- you have experience working at Chartered Fellow level for a minimum of one year within the last five years. This is a minimum requirement, and it’s likely that you will need more than a year
- you are an experienced people professional who is working strategically with high levels of complexity
- your work will usually be entirely strategic in thinking and/or delivery
- you’ll lead the thinking on people function across the organisation
- your work changes mindsets and attitudes, transforming the way organisations think about and value their people
- your evidence-based thinking is driving complex people programmes which have a significant impact on the organisation, its sector and in the wider profession
- your expertise influences at senior levels and is shaping the future of the people profession
- you’re a role-model for the people profession, making ethical decisions backed by professional integrity
When you’re a Chartered Fellow, you can use the designation Chartered FCIPD after your name.
The Chartered Fellow grade is aligned with the corresponding level in the Profession Map. If you are interested in becoming a Chartered Fellow via Experience Assessment or Upgrading, use the membership standards to determine if this is the right membership grade for you.
What people say about being a Chartered Fellow

Debbie Alder, Chartered FCIPD and DWP HR Director General, explains what being a Chartered Fellow means for her as a senior HR professional.
Member benefits to support you
The latest business insights, new research and in-depth reports support your expertise in affecting change in business and at government policy level. Through our community you’ll inspire and be inspired by others, sharing the highest standards and shaping the future of the profession. Take a look at some key benefits when you’re a Chartered Fellow.


CIPD Learning Hub

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Knowledge hub

People Management and Work.
How to become a Chartered Fellow
There are two ways:
Study a qualification and upgrade
If you study an Advanced Diploma, you’ll become an Associate Member at the end of your studies and may be eligible to upgrade to Chartered Fellow, depending on your experience. You can also upgrade to Chartered Fellow if you’re a current Chartered Member
Complete Experience Assessment
Our non-study route into membership allows you to use your current experience when applying for membership
What’s the best route for you?
Use our interactive tools to find the best route into membership for you. If you’re already a member, find the best route for upgrading your membership.
If you were previously in membership, find out how to come back to ensure your expertise is professionally recognised and trusted.
Chartered Fellow fees
The total cost of membership is dependent on whether you are becoming a member for the first time, renewing your membership, re-joining, or upgrading to a different grade of membership or coming into membership via the Experience Assessment route.
Chartered Fellow fee for up to 12 months* (from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023): £221.
Fees for our routes to becoming a Chartered Fellow:
Experience Assessment route | Fee (1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023) |
---|---|
One-off assessment fee | £2,375 |
Joining fee | £40 |
12-month Chartered Fellow fee* | £221 |
Total | £2,636 |
The assessment fee is non-refundable.
Study a qualification route | Fee (1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023) |
---|---|
Qualification fee | Set by individual study centres |
Joining fee | £40 |
12-month Student Member fee* | £99 |
Upgrade from Associate to Chartered Fellow | £250 |
Total | Qualification fee and £389 |
Once you finish your qualification, you’ll start paying the Foundation/Associate Member fee at your next renewal on 1 July. You may be able to upgrade to Chartered Fellow depending on your experience and qualification.
If you’ve already finished a CIPD accredited qualification, call us +44 (0)20 8612 6208 to find out whether you can become an Associate Member.
Re-joining | Fee |
---|---|
Re-joining fee | £40 |
12-month Chartered Member fee* | £221 |
Total | £261 |
*Depending on when you join in the year, we offer different membership fee options.
Not sure if Chartered Fellow grade is right for you?
Chartered Member
For people professionals who work strategically and operationally with some complexity. You’re actively driving and managing change to meet your organisation’s needs
Chartered Companion
Chartered Companion is the highest level of membership awarded by the CIPD. This grade recognises distinguished Chartered Fellow or Academic Fellow members, following a nomination process
You may also be interested in
- Our guide to becoming a CIPD member
- Membership terms and conditions
- Our membership agreement with AHRI - the Australian Human Resources Institute
- All Chartered Fellows need to be committed to their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and comply with our Code of Professional Conduct
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