Full membership (FMBPsS)

We know that learning and development doesn’t stop after completing university.

Whether through postgraduate study or experience in the workplace you continue to develop your skills – and that’s why we’ve created a new member grade for you.

So if you’ve expanded your knowledge and skills and are applying them at work then our full membership could be perfect for you.

Routes to becoming a member

Graduate membership

First of all, you must hold eligibility for graduate membership with the graduate basis for chartered membership (GBC) plus meet the criteria listed in one of the routes below.

If you’re not already a graduate member we’ll assess your eligibility for this as part of your application. We’ll need you to provide detail of your undergraduate degree/conversion course submitting the transcript for this.

Route A

In addition to graduate membership, or eligibility for graduate membership you must hold a BPS-accredited Stage 1 master’s degree (please note a stage 1 master’s is not a conversion course) followed by at least one of the following:

1. Successful completion of the first year (or equivalent) of your PhD. This should be evidenced with a letter on headed paper from your Head of Department.  You will need to submit this evidence as part of your application.
2. Successful completion of your first year (or equivalent) of your BPS-accredited doctoral qualification. This should be evidenced with a letter on headed paper from your Head of Department and should confirm successful assessment of some elements of knowledge and of practice.  You will need to submit this evidence as part of your application.
3. Successful completion of your first year (or equivalent) of your BPS Stage 2 Qualification. This should be evidenced with a letter on headed paper from the Chair of the relevant Qualifications Board and should confirm successful assessment of some elements of knowledge and of practice, or successful achievements of some elements of the agreed training plan.  You will need to submit this evidence as part of your application.
4. Confirmation of employment for at least one year as an Assistant Psychologist in the UK. This should be evidenced with a letter on headed paper from the Head of Service.  You will need to submit this evidence as part of your application.

Route B

In addition to graduate membership, or eligibility for graduate membership you must have been awarded a qualification that has been accredited against the BPS Standards for the Accreditation of Associate Psychology.

These programmes of study currently are:

1. Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP)
2. Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP, Scotland)

You will need to submit a copy of your academic transcript as part of your application

Check if your course is accredited

Route C (professional recognition route)

If you don't meet the eligibility criteria via Routes A or B, you may be able to apply for full membership through our upcoming professional recognition route.

In addition to graduate membership, or eligibility for graduate membership this route will allow you to provide evidence that you meet the required competencies by submitting a portfolio.

This route is currently being developed in collaboration with our members and will be made available shortly.

How to apply

You can apply for full membership online using our online application form.

You'll be asked to submit evidence that demonstrates your qualifications and depth of knowledge and experience in psychology.

Submit your application online

What this membership offers you

As a member of the British Psychological Society you’re part of something bigger.

Not only do you benefit from being connected to our 70,000 strong community, we benefit from being connected to you.

And in turn, society benefits too. Because the bigger our organisation is, the better we can advance psychology and the good it can do.

You’ll also get a number of benefits:

• Demonstrate your advanced skills and experience by using the title FMBPsS
• Online, app and print access to The Psychologist, the BPS’s flagship publication
• Continue your professional development with discounts on CPD courses, webinars and events
• Connect, collaborate and network with other professionals by joining our member networks – there are over 100 to choose from

View the full list of member benefits

If you’re an existing BPS member wanting to move to full membership, you can apply for full membership without having to pay the application fee.

Fees and payment

If you aren’t already a BPS member, you'll have to pay a one-off application fee of £42 when you submit your full membership application. Please note: this fee is non-refundable.

Once your application has been assessed by our membership team, if you're eligible, you'll need to make payment for the 12-month membership subscription with the rates as follows:

• If you’re a current postgraduate student or you’re enrolled on a BPS qualification: £39.84 (have the details of your postgraduate course on hand when you start your application)
• If you graduated from your qualification in the last five years: £74.28
• Standard full membership fee: £148.68

Need extra support to help pay for your membership? We offer reduced rates for individuals who are unemployed, on maternity, paternity or carers leave or other special circumstances.

Find out more about our reduced rates

Renewals

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

If you pay for your membership by Direct Debit, your membership will automatically renewal every 12 months.

How to pay for your subscription

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

• Online card payment (preferred)
• Set up a Direct Debit (UK bank accounts only)
• Bank transfer
• By phone

Apply for full membership now