People smiling around table

Chartered membership (CPsychol)

The title of Chartered Psychologist is legally recognised and reflects only the highest standard of psychological knowledge and expertise.

Why become a chartered member of the BPS?

Becoming a Chartered Psychologist is the pinnacle of a psychologist's professional career.

Once you achieve Chartered status, you are legally recognised within your specialism and trusted to deliver the highest standards to those who need your services whether that is in research, teaching or practise.

What benefits does chartership offer?

Once you become Chartered there’s a wide range of benefits available, including:

  • Ability to use the CPsychol title
  • Inclusion on our list of Chartered Members
  • Opportunity to advertise in the Directory of Chartered Psychologists and join one of our specialist registers
  • Exclusive use of the Chartered Psychologist logo
  • Online, app and print access to The Psychologist, the BPS’s flagship publication
  • Exclusive discounts on a range of conferences and events

View the full list of member benefits

We currently estimate that it will take approximately eight weeks to process your application.

How do I apply?

UK applicants

For UK-based applicants, you must have:

  • Achieved at least a 2:2 on an undergraduate honours degree (recognised as meeting Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership) or have completed a society-accredited conversion qualification

Along with one of the following:

  • Have undertaken society-accredited postgraduate qualifications and training
  • Have completed an assessment of competence in Coaching Psychology
  • Have appropriate postgraduate training and experience of teaching psychology
  • Have completed psychology research to doctoral level

Apply for chartered membership

If you’re applying for Chartered membership via the research or teaching routes you’ll need to supply two references

Non-UK applicants

For non-UK applicants, there are two application options available. 

Route 1 - Traditional Study

In order to follow this route, you will need to:

  • Hold a qualification, or a combination of qualifications, which provide eligibility for GBC
  • Hold an additional postgraduate qualification in psychology at least equivalent to a UK masters degree
  • Have relevant supervised training and experience undertaken outside the UK equivalent to UK professional doctorate level
Route 2 - Teaching/Research

In order to follow this route, you will need to hold a qualification, or a combination of qualifications, which provide eligibility for GBC, followed by:

  • appropriate postgraduate training and experience of teaching psychology (typically 5 years full time, or full time equivalent)

Or:

  • psychology research to doctoral level

Apply for chartered membership

If you’re applying for Chartered membership via the research or teaching routes you’ll need to supply two references

Costs to apply

Membership subscription is £163.44 per year, plus a non-refundable application assessment fee of £45 for existing members, or £91 for non-members.

Our membership runs on a 12 month cycle. You will be asked to renew your membership with us every 12 months from the date you first joined.

If you pay for your membership by Direct Debit, your membership will automatically renew every 12 months from the date you first joined.

Payment

There are a number of ways you can pay your subscription:

  • Online card payment (preferred)
  • Bank transfer
  • By phone
Frequently asked questions
  • Which membership grade am I eligible for?

    Each membership grade has differing eligibility requirements which can be found on the relevant pages for each membership type.

    Eligibility for our membership grades is primarily based on society-accredited academic qualifications and experience, or their non-UK equivalent.

    Each membership grade has differing eligibility requirements. For further information, please visit the relevant pages for each membership grade.

    Please be aware that the information on each membership grade page provides a general guide to eligibility, it isn't exhaustive.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact the Membership Enquiries Team

     

  • What documents do I need to provide?

    You'll need to provide copies (we don’t require originals) of your psychology qualifications.

    Transcripts (the list of subjects and grades) are required for all undergraduate, conversion and non-UK qualifications.

    For any documents not in English translations are required.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries please contact the membership team.

     

  • How much is society membership?

    Find out more information about our membership fees.

    Our 2024 subscription and membership fees for new joiners are as follows.

    Current members due to renew from January should have already received notification of their subscription fees for 2024.

    Core subscription fees

    Chartered members / Fellows / Associate Fellows: £163.44

    Graduate members: £163.44

    Two reductions are available to Graduate members:

    1. If you graduated within the last five years from the qualification giving eligibility for Graduate membership: £81.72
    2. If you are a current postgraduate student or enrolled on a society qualification: £42.48

    Student members: £31.68

    Affiliates: £122.04

    e-subscribers: £14.52

    Non-refundable application processing fees (payable On First Application)

    All non-refundable application fee payments are subject to a 6 month time limit, in which all requirements for your application should be submitted. If you have not provided all of the requirements for your application, or have not continued with your application after such time, you will be required to pay the non-refundable application fee again.

    Chartered Members (non-members): £91

    Chartered Members (Graduate Members upgrading): £45

    Fellows: £61

    Associate Fellows: £45

    Graduate Members: £46

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact [email protected]

  • How can I upgrade my membership?

    Current Student members can complete the Graduate membership application process online. Graduate members looking to upgrade should complete the relevant Chartered membership application form.

    You won't be charged an application fee for upgrading from Student to Graduate membership.

    Apply to upgrade to Graduate membership

    Apply to upgrade to Chartered membership

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact the Membership Enquiries Team

     

  • How do I join a member network?

    Members can find information and how to apply on our Member Networks page. 

    Join a member network

    If you’re applying for Graduate membership and would like to join one, or more, of the Member Networks you can add these as part of the application process, each network carries an additional fee.

    If you’re applying for Chartered membership the application form enables you to join Member Networks at the relevant grade.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries, please contact the Membership Enquiries Team