Membership regulations

Regulations for admission to Affiliate membership

A1 Applicants for Affiliate are required to obtain on the application form the nomination of one referee, normally a member of The Royal Society of Chemistry, to whom they are personally known.

A2 Affiliates are not entitled to use designatory letters denoting membership of The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Regulations for admission to Associate (AMRSC) membership

AM1 Applicants under these regulations must include a full account of any professional experience together with the name of one referee who is, normally, a qualified member of a recognised professional body.

AM2 Applicants for Associate Member are required to produce evidence of:

• a bachelors or masters degree recognised, accredited or validated by Council, or
• a foundation degree, higher national diploma, NVQ level 4 or equivalent short cycle qualification recognised by Council together with appropriate work practice in chemical science, or
• a pass in a course previously recognised by Council for admission to the former categories of Graduate or Licentiate.

AM3 Applicants who:

• possess a university level qualification that included the study of chemical science but which does not completely satisfy the requirements in AM2 above, or
• hold and have held for some years a position of appropriate responsibility in the practice, application or teaching of chemical science and who cannot completely fulfil the requirements of AM2 above

may apply for professional assessment to determine their general chemical knowledge, particularly in relation to work practice.

AM4 Associate Members are entitled to use the designatory letters 'AMRSC' after their names.

Note: Associate Member is a transitory category of membership and cannot normally be retained for more than 5 years. Associate Members are expected to progress to full Member (MRSC) or must transfer to the Affiliate category and lose their entitlement to designatory letters. The Royal Society of Chemistry aims to provide Associate Members with specific assistance in professional development and recognises this early stage of career development with the award of designatory letters.

Regulations for admission to Member (MRSC) membership.

M1 Applicants under these regulations must include a detailed account of experience and professional activity subsequent to satisfying the requirements of Associate Member and the names of two referees, one of whom is, normally a qualified member of a recognised professional body. One of the referees should normally have been immediately responsible for or knowledgeable about the applicant's recent professional activity.
         
M2 An applicant who is an Associate Member, or who possesses a recognised level of education and/or training that would satisfy the requirements for admission as an Associate Member, and who has had appropriate professional experience extending over a period of at least three years may apply for admission to the category of Member.
          
M3 Exceptionally an application may be considered from an applicant who does not possess a recognised level of education and/or training in chemical science, but who has made such progress in the profession, through means demanding a sufficient knowledge of chemical science as would make it desirable, in the opinion of Council, that they should be a Member. Council, at its discretion, may require such applicants to attend a membership assessment interview or undertake other procedures to determine the applicants' suitability for admission.
          
M4 Members are entitled to use the designatory letters 'MRSC' after their names.

Regulations for admission to Fellow (FRSC) membership

F1 Applicants under these regulations must include a detailed account of their professional experience together with the names of two referees, both of whom should normally be Fellows of recognised professional bodies or have equivalent status. One referee should normally have sufficient knowledge of the recent work of the applicant.

F2 Applicants who are Members, or who have attained the level of chemical knowledge and experience required for Member, and who can provide evidence of not less than five years in a position of senior responsibility

• in the practice, application or teaching of chemical science, and/or
• in the direction of the work of professionally qualified chemical scientists, and/or
• concerned with the senior management, direction or commercial activities of organisations in which the application of chemical science is of major importance  

may apply for consideration for admission to Fellow.

F3 Applications may also be considered from applicants who have made such outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences and/or to the advancement of the profession as would make it desirable, in the opinion of Council, that they should be Fellows of The Royal Society of Chemistry.

F4 Members are entitled to use the designatory letters 'FRSC' after their names.

Note: The Chartered Chemist status of Members (MRSC) who apply for admission to Fellow (FRSC) is unaffected by the transfer process

Regulations for the Award of Chartered Chemist (CChem)

CC1 All candidates for Chartered Chemist have to be a Member (MRSC) or Fellow (FRSC).
         
CC2 Candidates are required to produce evidence of being awarded a Royal Society of Chemistry accredited degree at Masters level and be engaged in the practice, application and/or teaching of chemistry.
          
CC3 Candidates who cannot fulfil the academic requirements in CC2 above must demonstrate that they have an in depth knowledge and critical awareness of a substantial area of chemistry. This is usually demonstrated by achievement of a suitable postgraduate award and/or appropriate professional development. Council, at its discretion, may require candidates to attend a Professional Interview, or undertake other procedures, to determine the extent of the candidate's understanding of chemistry.
          
CC4 All candidates are required to present evidence of professional attributes in a range of specific areas to a level prescribed by Council. This is accomplished by means of a two year Professional Development Programme (PDP). Candidates must register with the Royal Society of Chemistry at the beginning of the Programme. They are also, at the time of registration, required to nominate a CChem mentor who is able to provide guidance in developing the attributes and to verify the evidence provided.
          
CC5 All candidates are required to present evidence of professional attributes in a range of specific areas to a level prescribed by Council. This is accomplished by means of a two year Professional Development Programme (PDP). Candidates must register with the Royal Society of Chemistry at the beginning of the Programme. They are also, at the time of registration, required to nominate a CChem mentor who is able to provide guidance in developing the attributes and to verify the evidence provided.
          
CC6 For the final assessment, all candidates are required to provide the name of a referee. In a case where the chosen CChem mentor is not a Chartered Chemist, it is normally required that the referee is a Chartered Chemist or holds Chartered status in a science or engineering profession. In all cases the referee is expected to have sufficient knowledge of the candidate's work.
          
CC7 Chartered Chemists are entitled to use the abbreviation "CChem" after their names.
          
CC8 Chartered Chemists are required to maintain their professional interests in the chemical sciences. Council, at its discretion, may require candidates to provide information regarding recent development activities to determine whether professional interests are being maintained. Any member who fails to provide suitable information is unable to retain the Chartered Chemist designation.