Application guidance

Membership Application Guidance

The guidance you need for a successful application

The application process

As the home of expertise in the environmental profession, we need to ensure that professional members at all levels meet the high standards of skill, knowledge, and professionalism. That's why becoming a member of the IES is a significant step in your career in the environmental sciences.

Applications for professional membership are assessed by a membership panel that meets monthly and is made up of peers, leaders, and senior practitioners from across the sector.

The points system

Applications to the IES are graded on a points system, with the total made up from a combination of academic and work experience. The decision on the appropriate membership grade is made by the Application Review Panel (ARP).

Level	Points Required
Affiliate	0 - 4
Associate	5 - 11
Member	12+
Fellowship	19+ and "distinction"

Academic experience criteria

Qualification	Relevant	Non-relevant
PhD	10	5
Masters	7	3.5
PgDip	6.5	3
Bachelors	6	3
Foundation Degree / HND or other Level 5 technical qualification / Level 5 Apprenticeship	5	2.5
Level 4 Apprenticeship/ HNC or other Level 4 technical qualification	4	2
3 A Levels / a T-Level / Level 3 Apprenticeship / other Level 3 technical qualification	3	1.5

Work experience criteria

Years (and therefore points) accrued through relevant employment signal experience, commitment and achievement in the environmental science sector. Applicants, therefore, must demonstrate how their work aligns with the sector.

½ point for every six months of relevant work experience at graduate level.
Relevant placements may count towards your work experience.
The ARP can award points for partial relevance, e.g. a Health and Safety & Environmental Officer may be awarded 1 point for every 3 years of work.

IES Membership Application FAQs

How long will my application take?

Applications are assigned to our assessors on a monthly basis and are normally completed within a few weeks of this, with the candidates contacted shortly afterwards.

Is my work experience/degree relevant?

The IES publishes a list of approved environmental science courses (pdf). International qualifications should be translated into their UK equivalents. There are some additional degrees not mentioned on this list that will be considered relevant at the ARP's discretion. Candidates whose degrees do not appear on the list should submit a paragraph explaining how they use the learning from their degree in their current job.

For work experience, the ARP are looking for environmental science or sustainability content. The ARP can award points for partial relevance, e.g. a Health and Safety & Environmental Officer may be awarded 1 point for every 3 years of work.

Can I apply for Chartership or another Register at the same time as membership?

No. You must achieve the relevant grade of IES membership first, as this denotes the entry criteria for the designation. If you are confident that you meet the criteria, you can begin filling in your application while you await the result.

How do I maintain my membership once I've joined?

Membership will be maintained by paying your annual subscription each year and abiding by the Code of Conduct and CPD reporting requirements.

I was previously a member of the IES, can I rejoin?

The IES rules allow career breaks of up to two years without the need for the candidate to reapply. These individuals can rejoin by simply paying the current year's subscription. For those individuals who have been absent from the IES for longer than two years, they will need to reapply using the normal membership form.

Need help? Contact our membership team