What is being Chartered?

Many people will have heard of a chartered accountant but did you know you can become chartered in other professions too? A 'Chartered' title is an internationally recognised professional designation. Post-nominal letters are used to display the level of experience and the associated institute, for example: the post nominals 'CMILT' stand for 'Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport' (CILT). In the UK, Chartered titles may still only be awarded by institutions that have been incorporated under Royal Charter.

Code of Conduct

Chartered institutes have a code of professional conduct which ensures each chartered individual must display the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. For example, the code of conduct for the CILT is:

• Act with integrity and professionalism and carry out their duties in such a way as to promote a positive image of the Institute and the profession.
• Act responsibly to secure the welfare, health and safety of all members of their organisations and take account of the impact of their activities on the environment and the community.  
• Continue their professional development throughout their careers and actively assist and encourage fellow members, as well as non-members, to advance their knowledge and expertise.
• Endeavour to serve the interests of their employers and employees without compromising professional integrity or ethics.
• Strive to build their professional reputation on merit and compete fairly where competition is appropriate.
• Promote actively international understanding, goodwill and co-operation

How to become Chartered

To become a chartered professional you would need to apply to the relevant institute for your industry. A successful application requires a combination of: dedication to the industry, experience and professional qualifications.

Continuous improvement is a large part of being Chartered with a focus on 'life-long learning'. Once you become chartered you will need to continuing learning to keep your industry knowledge up-to-date and relevant. This learning is monitored by providing evidence of 'Continuing Professional Development' (CPD). CPD refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work. It’s a record of what you experience, learn and then apply - ensuring you are up-to-date on industry developments. Many professional courses will show the number of 'CPD points' or 'CPD hours' a course will provide once completed.

If you are determined to progress within your industry or just to display your current experience becoming Chartered is certainly an achievement to strive for.

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