Membership regulations

A1 Applicants for Affiliate membership (or one of its branches) may be required to name a supporter on their application form. This supporter should normally be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, or another recognised professional body, and should know the applicant personally.

Affiliates are not entitled to use designatory letters that show membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

All successful applicants will sign a commitment to uphold the RSC Code of Conduct.

AM1 (a) Applicants must provide a full description of all academic qualifications and professional experience.

(b) Applicants must name one referee, who should normally be a Member (MRSC) or Fellow (FRSC) of the Royal Society of Chemistry (or a member of another recognised professional body) and able to comment on the applicants’ studies and/or experience.

AM2 Applicants able to show evidence for one of the following may apply for Associate Member:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree recognised, accredited, or validated by the Royal Society of Chemistry. 
• A foundation degree, higher national diploma, NVQ Level 4, equivalent level vocational qualification or short-cycle qualification, together with relevant work experience in chemical science. 
• A pass in a course previously recognised for entry to the former Graduate or Licentiate categories. 

AM3 Applicants who do not meet the criteria above may still apply if they:

• Hold a university level qualification that includes the study of chemical science but does not fully meet the requirements above, or
• Have held a position of appropriate responsibility for several years in the practice, application or teaching of chemical science but cannot fully meet the requirements above.

In such cases, applicants are required to demonstrate their general chemical knowledge, particularly in relation to their work practice, within their application.

Associate Members can use the designatory letters ‘AMRSC’ after their name whilst they remain in membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

All successful applicants will sign a commitment to uphold the RSC Code of Conduct.

M1 (a) Applicants must provide a detailed description of their experience and professional activities since meeting the requirements for Associate Member.

(b) Applicants must also name two referees. One referee should normally be a Member (MRSC) or Fellow (FRSC) (or a member of another recognised professional body) and at least one referee should have been responsible for, or have a good knowledge of, the applicant’s recent work.

M2 Applicants who are Associate Members, or who have the recognised education and/or training needed for Associate Member, and who have at least three years of relevant professional experience may apply to become a Member (MRSC). 

M3 Exceptionally, applicants without a recognised education or training in chemical science may also be considered if they have made clear progress in the profession and can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of chemical science, particularly in relation to their work practice, within their application. They may be required to attend an assessment interview or complete other steps to confirm they are suitable for admission.

Members can use the designatory letters ‘MRSC’ after their name whilst they remain in membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

All successful applicants will sign a commitment to uphold the RSC Code of Conduct.

F1(a) Applicants must provide a detailed account of their professional experience and explicitly demonstrate the seniority, impacts, and outcomes of their work.

(b) Applicants must name two referees who should normally be Fellows of the Royal Society of Chemistry (or another recognised professional body or hold equivalent status). At least one referee should have knowledge of the applicant’s recent work.

F2 Applicants who are Members or who meet the requirements for Member through their chemical science knowledge and/or experience, and who can show at least five years senior responsibility, with clear evidence of significant impact may apply for Fellow.

Seniority and impact may be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

• Practicing,applyingor teaching chemical science at a senior level,
• Providing strategic oversight and directing the work of qualified chemical scientists,
• Holding senior management, strategic leadership,direction or commercial activities of organisations where the application of chemical science is of major importance.

F3 Applications may also be considered from individuals who have made outstanding contributions to chemical science and/or significantly advanced the profession, where they can provide clear evidence of their impact. 

Fellows can use the designatory letters ‘FRSC’ after their name whilst they remain in membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

All successful applicants will sign a commitment to uphold the RSC Code of Conduct.

Note: The Chartered Chemist (CChem) status of Members (MRSC) applying for Fellowship (FRSC) is not impacted by this transfer process.

CC1 All candidates for Chartered Chemist must be a Member (MRSC) or a Fellow (FRSC).

CC2 Candidates must provide evidence that they hold a Royal Society of Chemistry accredited master’s degree or equivalent, and are actively working in the practice, application and/or teaching of chemistry.

CC3 Candidates who do not meet the academic requirements must show that they have an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of a substantial area of chemistry. This is usually demonstrated through a suitable postgraduate qualification and/or relevant professional development. Candidates may be required to attend a professional interview or complete other steps to confirm the depth of their chemical knowledge.

CC4 All candidates must show evidence of professional skills and attributes in specific areas. This is done through either completing a two-year Professional Development Programme (PDP) for those with less than 6 years’ workplace and/or postgraduate experience, or the Direct Application route for those with greater than 6 years’ workplace and/or postgraduate experience. Candidates must register with the Royal Society of Chemistry at the start of the programme and nominate a CChem mentor who will guide them, help develop the required attributes and verify the evidence provided.

CC5 For the final assessment, candidates must provide the name of a referee. If the nominated CChem mentor does not hold Chartered Chemist status, the referee should normally be a Chartered Chemist or hold Chartered status in a relevant science or engineering profession. The referee must have sufficient knowledge of the candidate’s work.

Chartered Chemists can use the designation ‘CChem’ after their name whilst they continue to remit any required annual fees. Chartered Chemists are required to maintain their professional interests in the chemical sciences and may be required to provide information regarding recent development activities to determine whether professional interests are being maintained. Any member who fails to provide suitable information will be unable to retain the CChem designation.

All applicants will sign a commitment to continue to uphold the RSC Code of Conduct.