Former grades
The Associate (ACIOB) and Incorporated (ICIOB) grades closed to new members on 1 July 2015.
This revision was made following consultation with members and the wider industry when a grade review identified a lack of clarity across the built environment sector about what ACIOB and ICIOB represented.
These grades were intended to be stepping stones towards Chartered status. However, our data has since suggested that many ACIOB and ICIOB members are already well qualified to progress to Chartered membership.
What does this mean for me as an ACIOB or ICIOB member?
For current ACIOB and ICIOB members, your status will remain unchanged until June 2025.
CIOB offers various tailored pathways for ACIOB and ICIOB members to become Chartered, including a time-limited Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) pathway to Chartership (available until 2024). APEL will rigorously assess your practical experience and knowledge in lieu of a Level 6 qualification.
You will still retain all membership benefits you have been entitled to.
My employee holds ACIOB or ICIOB. What does this mean?
Associate membership (ACIOB) was often awarded to those in a management position for a couple of years with an academic qualification comparable to a HNC or other Level 4 qualification.
The Incorporated (ICIOB) grade was one step above Associate and was intended for experienced managers with the equivalent of a foundation degree, HND or Level 5 qualification.
Why become a Chartered Member of CIOB?
Achieving Chartered status means your skills, capabilities and experience can clearly be recognised by others. It becomes easier to get involved in projects, and it will help you win tenders that make a big difference to your career.
Progressing to Chartered Membership enhances your membership in several ways:
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It benchmarks your skills against other Chartered Professions
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You can stand for Governance positions, and have your say by gaining voting rights
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Chartered Professionals are, on average, £152,000 better off throughout their careers
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Studies show that your employability will see a 9% increase as a Chartered Professional
How do I become Chartered?
As a current Associate or Incorporated Member, you could be eligible to progress to Professional Review through the new Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) Process, available for a limited time.
What is it?
A process to assess your experience to allow access to Chartered Membership for those who do not hold a qualifying award at degree level. You may hold an HNC or HND qualification, CIOB qualification such as Member Part 1, our Level 4 Diploma in Site Management or another technical qualification.
Who is this for?
This process is only available for existing Incorporated and Associate members who do not meet our current academic requirements for Chartered Membership.
What do you need to do?
You will need industry experience to draw upon, from within the last 3 years, or at most 5 years where you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. If this applies to you, you should contact a CIOB Approved APEL Provider (from the list at the link below) to learn more.
Our approved providers can also give you support and mentoring to complete the Professional Review once you have completed the APEL assessment.
Not suitable for you?
If the APEL process is not suitable for you, our assessment partners will work with you to meaningfully assess your qualifications, practical experience and knowledge. Please get in touch with us to discuss your options on +44 (0) 1344 630 700 or via the website.
APEL Providers
You can find a list of APEL providers on the right.