The award of chartered status recognises the well-developed skills, knowledge and professionalism of those working within the chemical sciences. They are part of a broader recognition and development framework that includes the professional registers: Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) and Registered Scientist (RSci).

Gaining Chartered Chemist (CChem), Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) or Chartered Manager (CMgr) status demonstrates that you have:

  • built on your academic achievements and developed professional skills in a work environment
  • gained in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of your chosen area of the sciences
  • developed strong scientific skills and are committed to improving them
  • made a critical contribution to the success of your organisation, business or institution
  • shown personal and professional integrity
  • committed to developing your career, as well as advancing excellence in the sciences.

Chartered Chemist (CChem)

We have made some changes to this page. If you can’t find the documents and resources you were looking for please get in touch via email.

 

Chartered Chemist is awarded to chemists who are currently employed in the chemical sciences.

For those in the early stages of their career, the award is achieved by completing a two-year professional development plan; those with more experience can apply immediately – you can find more details below about how this affects the application process.

Find out how CChem can support your career from our members in the video below.

Meet two of our CChem assessors in the video below. In this clip they share their top tips for applicants and thoughts about the value of CChem.

Eligibility for Chartered Chemist status

In order to be eligible to register to apply for the award of CChem you must:

  • be MRSC or FRSC
  • show how you have acquired a Masters level in chemical science and professional skills and knowledge. This can be done by telling us about your experience and on the job learning in the Equivalence form or by holding a Royal Society of Chemistry Masters level accredited degree
  • demonstrate that you use advanced skills and knowledge in the chemical sciences (for example at a postgraduate level) in your current role and relevant voluntary activities
  • be committed to continuing professional development

Not currently in work?

You can register to apply for CChem if you have recently stopped working within the last 6 months. For your application, you will need to be able to provide evidence of fulfilling the professional attributes from the last two years from work you have undertaken.

In postgraduate study?

You may be able to register to apply for CChem if you are currently studying for a PhD. You must hold full Member status, MRSC and be able to provide evidence of fulfilling the professional attributes from your postgraduate level experience.

Important resources

Guidance on achieving Chartered Chemist status

List of CChem attributes

How to apply for CChem

How to apply

  1. Read the guidance document
  2. Find a mentor.
  3. Applying online: Log in to your members area and complete the Eligibility section and submit it along with your CV and registration fee. Note: if you do not hold a formal Masters-level qualification in chemical science, you'll need to complete the Equivalence section as well.
  4. Once registration has been approved start work on the Professional Development Programme, or begin gathering your evidence for the Direct Programme. For both programmes you'll need to provide self-written testimonials, along with your portfolio of supporting evidence.

You will complete your application via your online members area. However, if you are unable to do so because of strict confidentiality requirements then you can apply via email – please get in touch to request a form.

Who contributes to your CChem application?

All CChem applicants need a mentor to help your development or help you to review your career. Your mentor is required to provide supporting statements against each group of attributes. Please read our guidance for CChem mentors.

All CChem applicants also need a referee to sign off your evidence as accurate. Your referee can be the same person as your mentor if they are able to support the veracity of your evidence.

Help with finding a mentor

We advise you to choose a mentor who is a CChem or other chartered professional from within your own workplace or someone from your existing networks such as an interest group. However we recognise that this may be challenging if you are a lone chemist, work in a small organisation, a teacher or based in a country where CChem is not widely known. We can offer the following:

Mentor resources

Role of the CChem Mentor

Watch our webinar about how to become a CChem Mentor

Help available to you

We have a variety of support options available to help support you through the process. Please email us to find out more.

Consultations with our staff

These consultations are for prospective or current applicants. These 45 minute sessions with an expert member of staff can be used to discuss your eligibility or choice of mentor. As an applicant, you can use this time to go through your application and discuss your evidence and examples.

CChemCafé – a peer to peer support group

Every month we hold an online informal support group. We often have a guest present to help support the theme of each session which covers being an effective mentee to finishing up and submitting. These sessions are a great way to meet other applicants and share experiences and ideas.

Review of your submission

Experienced staff can review your submission either part way through or when you submit the final version to make sure you have completed all the relevant sections with suitable evidence.

CChem and CPD

Chartered award holders commit to maintain a record of their Containing Professional Development (CPD) activities. You may be selected for revalidation or you may choose to revalidate. If you are selected for revalidation, you'll be asked to submit a report describing:

  • Your CPD plans
  • Your relevant learning activities, linked to your chartership attributes, in three of the following five areas:
    1. Work-based learning (for example, supervising staff / students, reflective practice)
    2. Professional activity (involvement in a professional body, mentoring)
    3. Formal / educational (writing articles / papers, further education)
    4. Self-directed learning (reading journals, reviewing books / articles)
    5. Other (voluntary work, public service)

If you complete the revalidation process, you will have the opportunity to request a tailored consultation with our careers management team to help you meet your development goals.

Log your CPD activities with our free online CPD recording tool.

Chartered Scientist (CSci)

Chartered Scientist recognises the professional practising scientists across a range of sectors.

Eligibility

To be considered for Chartered Scientist status, you will need to fulfil all the following criteria.

  • Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC or FRSC)
  • Masters-level (M-level) qualification
  • Five years' postgraduate experience at Masters level
  • Currently employed (including part time, self-employed and consultants) utilising your scientific background
How to apply for CSci

Costs

This application cost includes a registration fee paid to the Science Council and a £20 administration charge that is retained by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

  • Application fee of £66.
  • Retention of CSci is £61 per year, paid along with membership renewals.

How to apply

  1. Read the Registration for the Chartered Scientist Programme guidelines. 
  2. Complete and submit the Chartered Scientist registration form in accordance with the above guidelines.
    Note: if you do not have a Masters level qualification you must also complete the Equivalence form as well.
  3. When your registration has been confirmed, fill out the Final report form, and supply evidence of how you have met the required attributes by following the Guidance for the Chartered Scientist Final Report.
    Once we receive this it will be sent to three assessors, who will make their decision based on your portfolio.

Guidance for eligibility for the award of Chartered Scientist

Chartered Scientist registration form

Equivalence form

Guidance for the Chartered Scientist Final Report

Chartered Scientist Final Report

Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)

Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) is a professional qualification that can be applied across all sectors.  It provides a respected benchmark for individuals working to mitigate and solve environmental challenges. We award CEnv under licence from the Society for the Environment (SocEnv).

The process to apply is two-step. The first is an application form and CV. Once this has satisfied the assessors you will be invited for an interview.

 

Gain insight on what it means to be a Chartered Environmentalist 

→ Find out more

Eligibility

To be considered for Chartered Environmentalist status you:

  • must be MRSC or FRSC
  • should hold an accredited Masters level qualification, or be able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge gained through experience
  • must have at least four years’ relevant experience at or above master’s level with key responsibilities relating to the environment and/or sustainability
  • must be able to demonstrate that you meet the CEnv competencies laid out in the application form. 

For any queries regarding CEnv status, send us an email.

How to apply for CEnv

Costs

This application cost includes a registration fee paid to the Society for the Environment and a £20 administration charge that is retained by the Royal Society of Chemistry

  • Application fee of £64.
  • Retention of CEnv is £59 per year, paid along with membership renewals. 

How to apply

  1. Read the Achieving Chartered Environmentalist status: Requirements and information for applicants document

  2. Complete and submit the Chartered Environmentalist application form in accordance with the requirements. Please remember to include your CV when submitting your application.
    Note: if you do not have a Masters level qualification you may also be required to complete an Equivalence form.

Achieving Chartered Environmentalist status: requirements and information for applicants document

Chartered Environmentalist application form

Equivalence form

Your application will need to be validated by two supporters who should review your form before it is submitted.

Chartered Manager (CMgr)

CMI’s Chartered Manager (CMgr) award is the definitive accolade for the professional manager, evidencing continuously effective performance and signalling that the individual is:

  1. Qualified (degree-level management qualification or equivalent)
  2. Experienced (three or five years practical management experience of relevant breadth/depth depending on the qualification held)
  3. Committed to the CMI Code of Conduct
  4. Compliant with CMI’s mandatory CPD requirements

The application process is focused on demonstrating performance and achievement in the core areas of leading people and managing change. Successful applicants become Chartered Members and can use the post-nominals CMgr MCMI. 

See https://www.managers.org.uk/membership/chartered-manager for further details.

 

Eligibility

Qualifying Royal Society of Chemistry members will be able to work towards Chartered Manager via the CMI’s “qualified route”. To be considered for the qualified route to Chartered Manager you will need to fulfil the following criteria

  • Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC or FRSC)
  • Hold Chartered Chemist Status
  • Have evidence of at least 5 year’s management experience.
  • Will be required to become a member of the CMI.

For other routes to Chartered Manager status please see https://www.managers.org.uk/membership/chartered-manager for further details.

How to apply for CMgr

Costs

Applications to the CMI via the Royal Society of Chemistry will be offered a 50% discount off of the CMI membership fee. The total costs to applicants would be as follows:

  Chartered Member Chartered Fellow

Via Written Submission

Assessment Fee 

£510.00

Assessment Fee

£510.00

VAT

£102.00

VAT

£102.00

50% Discounted Membership Fee

£90.00

50% Discounted Membership Fee

£108.00

Total

£702.00

Total

£720.00

 

  Chartered Member Chartered Fellow

Via Professional Discussion

Assessment Fee 

£815.00

Assessment Fee 

£815.00

VAT

£163.00

VAT

£163.00

50% Discounted Membership Fee

£90.00

50% Discounted Membership Fee

£108.00

Total

£1,068.00

Total

£1,086.00

 

How to apply

To begin your Chartered Manager application simply follow this link to access the CMI registration pages. You will need to have your RSC membership number to hand. 

Maintaining chartered status

The requirements for holding chartered status include a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD). Maintaining chartered status is therefore subject to annual revalidation. In most cases, this means you keep a record of your CPD, and select the 'declaration' option during your membership renewal process.

Revalidation

Chartered award holders commit to maintain a record of their CPD activities. If you are selected for revalidation, you'll be asked to submit a report describing your relevant learning activities in three of the following five areas:

  1. Work-based learning (for example, supervising staff / students, reflective practice)
  2. Professional activity (involvement in a professional body, mentoring)
  3. Formal / educational (writing articles / papers, further education)
  4. Self-directed learning (reading journals, reviewing books / articles)
  5. Other (voluntary work, public service)

Log your CPD activities with our free online CPD recording tool.

Retain chartered status

If you're selected for revalidation, and wish to retain your chartered status, you'll be sent a revalidation form. Please make sure that you complete the form as specified, including the required information, and submit it by the indicated deadline.

The standards that have to be met in order to maintain your chartered status are:

  1. A registrant must maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities
  2. A registrant must demonstrate that their CPD activities are a mixture of learning activities relevant to current or future practice.
  3. A registrant must seek to ensure that their CPD has benefitted the quality of their practice
  4. A registrant must seek to ensure that their CPD has benefitted the users of their work (for example employees, customers, students)
  5. A registrant must present a written profile containing evidence of their CPD upon request

Retention fees

  • CChem is £28
  • CSci is £61
  • CEnv is £59

This fee is per award, per year, paid along with your membership renewal.

Careers support

Chartered Chemist

For queries relating to CChem and company accreditation
Tel:
+44 (0) 1223 432141
Email:
Send us an email

Chartered Scientist

For all queries relating to CSci
Tel:
+44 (0) 1223 432141
Email:
Send us an email

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