professional bodies
A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skil ...
in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
. Membership of a professional body does not necessarily mean that a person possesses qualifications in the subject area, nor that they are legally able to practice their profession. Many of these bodies also act as
learned societies
A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and science. Membership may ...
for the academic disciplines underlying their professions. The UK government has a list of professional associations approved for tax purposes (this includes some non-UK based associations, which are not included here). There is a separate
list of regulators in the United Kingdom
The following is a list of regulators in the UK. Regulators exercise regulatory or supervisory authority over a variety of endeavours.
In addition, local authorities in the UK provide regulatory functions in a number of areas. Professional ass ...
for bodies that are regulators rather than professional associations.
Chartered
The following professional bodies are incorporated by
royal charter
A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, bu ...
:
A–B
*
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Founded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification (ACCA). It has 240,952 members and 541,930 future members worldwid ...
(ACCA)
*
Association of Corporate Treasurers The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) is the international professional body specialising in the profession of corporate treasury. It was founded in 1979 and was awarded a Royal Charter on 1 January 2013. It is both an examining body, provid ...
(ACT)
*
Association for Project Management
The Association for Project Management is a British professional organisation for project and programme management. It received a Royal Charter in 2017, and is a registered charity. It has over 37,500 individual and 550 corporate members, and ...
(APM)
*
Association for Science Education
The Association for Science Education (ASE) is a professional association in the United Kingdom for teachers of science and science technicians. The association was formed in 1963 and is a member of the UK Science Council.
Aims
The Royal Chart ...
(ASE)
*
British Computer Society
Sir Maurice Wilkes served as the first President of BCS in 1957
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, known as the British Computer Society until 2009, is a professional body and a learned society that represents those working in infor ...
(BCS)
*
British Psychological Society
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is a representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom.
History
It was founded on 24 October 1901 at University College London (UCL) as ''The Psychological Society'', the organ ...
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is the global professional management accounting body based out of the UK. CIMA offers training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects. It is focused on accountan ...
(CIMA)
*
Chartered Association of Building Engineers
Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) is a professional body for building engineers in the United Kingdom and overseas.
History
Chartered Association of Building Engineers was founded as the Incorporated Association of Architects an ...
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is a global professional body for those in the financial and investment profession. It offers a range of qualifications and resources for professional development, as well as setting s ...
(CISI)
*
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (abbreviated as CIArb) is a professional organisation representing the interests of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practitioners. Founded on 1 March 1915, it was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabe ...
Chartered Institute of Building
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is a UK-based international professional association which exists to promote and advance for the public benefit the science and practice of building and construction. On official website Originating in ...
(CIOB)
*
Chartered Institute of Credit Management
The Chartered Institute of Credit Management (formerly the Institute of Credit Management, often abbreviated as CICM) is a United Kingdom-based professional body representing credit professionals formed in 1939. The company is based in South ...
(CICM)
*
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Chartered may refer to:
* Charter, a legal document conferring rights or privileges
** University charter
** Chartered company
* Chartered (professional), a professional credential
* Charter (shipping)
* Charter (airlines)
* Charter (typeface)
* Ch ...
(CIEEM)
*
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is a professional membership body concerned with environmental health and promoting standards in the training and education of environmental health professionals.
History
The history of the ...
Chartered Institute of Housing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the professional body for those working in the housing profession in the United Kingdom. It has a royal charter, gained in 1984. Currently CIH has over 17,000 members, mostly in the UK but also overseas, ...
(CIH)
*
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors
The Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors was founded in 1948 and attained its Royal Charter in 2010. It represents internal auditors in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is affiliated to the Global Institute of Internal Auditors, based in t ...
(IIA)
*
Chartered Institute of Journalists
The Chartered Institute of Journalists is a professional association for journalists and is the senior such body in the UK and the oldest in the world.
History
The ''Chartered Institute of Journalists'' was proposed during a meeting in Manches ...
*
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
The CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) is the professional body for over 20,000 paralegals, CILEX Lawyers and other legal professionals in England and Wales. It provides a cost-effective vocational route to qualification via the CI ...
(CILEX)
*
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, since 2017 branded CILIP: The library and information association (pronounced ), is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in the U ...
(CILIP)
*
Chartered Institute of Linguists
Founded as the Institute of Linguists in 1910, the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) received its Royal Charter in 2005, and is a professional association for language professionals. CIOL supports linguists throughout their careers, and pro ...
(CIOL)
*
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is a professional body representing the transport and logistics industries worldwide. It is a membership-based organisation with over 30,000 members in over 30 countries. This i ...
(CILT)
*
Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters is the professional body representing loss adjusters in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a countr ...
(CILA)
*
Chartered Institute of Marketing
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) was founded in 1911. It has over 30,000 members, including more than 3,000 registered Chartered Marketers. CIM offers 130 study centres in 36 countries, and exam centres in 132 countries.
In 1952 Prince ...
(CIM)
*
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), formerly known as the Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (IMSPA), is the professional body for the United Kingdom's sport and physical act ...
(CIMSPA)
*
Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) is the British professional body of patent attorneys.
History
The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) was founded in 1882 as the ''Chartered Institute of Patent Agents'' and incorpor ...
(CIPA)
*
Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) is a chartered professional association
A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) usually seeks to advocacy, furth ...
(CIPP)
*
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is an Trade association, association for human resource management professionals. Its headquarters are in Wimbledon, London, England. The organisation was founded in 1913 - it is the worl ...
(CIPD)
*
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the United Kingdom plumbing and heating industry. Its membership comprises approximately 8,000 individuals, including consultants, specifiers, designer ...
(CIPHE)
*
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), formerly the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, is a global professional body working for the procurement and supply profession in many regions of the world. It promotes best prac ...
(CIPS)
*
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is a professional institute for accountants working in the public services, national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies where public money needs to be ma ...
(CIPFA)
*
Chartered Institute of Public Relations
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is a professional body in the United Kingdom for public relations practitioners. Founded as the Institute for Public Relations in 1948, CIPR was awarded Chartered status by the Privy Council o ...
(CIPR)
*
Chartered Institution of Railway Operators
The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (founded in 1999 and registered in 2000 as the Institution of Railway Operators (IRO)) is the professional body for all those engaged or interested in railway operations and its allied disciplines. It ...
(CIRO)
*
Chartered Institute of Taxation
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) is a registered charity (number 1037771) and the leading professional body in the United Kingdom concerned solely with taxation. The CIOT deals with all aspects of direct and indirect taxation.
Activit ...
(CIOT)
*
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE; pronounced 'sib-see') is an international professional engineering association based in London, England that represents building services engineers. It is a full member of the Co ...
(CIBSE)
*
Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors
The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors or CICES is a professional association in the field of civil engineering surveying. CICES is recognised as a leading chartered professional body for civil engineering surveyors. CICES memb ...
(CICES)
*
Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (formerly the Institution of Highways and Transportation) is a UK-based learned society (with worldwide membership) concerned specifically with the planning, design, construction, maintenan ...
(CIHT)
*
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is a professional body for the waste management industry in the United Kingdom and other countries. Based in Northampton, it has ten regional centres throughout England, Scotland, Wales, North ...
Chartered Insurance Institute
The Chartered Insurance Institute (also known as the CII) is a professional body dedicated to building public trust in the insurance and financial planning profession. The CII's purpose, as set out in its 1912 royal charter, is to 'Secure an ...
(CII)
*
Chartered Management Institute
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is a professional institution for management based in the United Kingdom.
The major membership classes are ''Member'', ''Fellow'' - for those with significant expertise - and ''Companion'' - the most sen ...
Chartered Society of Designers
The Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) is a professional body for designers. It is the only Royal Chartered body of experienced designers. Its membership is multi-disciplinary – representing designers in all design, disciplines including I ...
(CSD)
*
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional body and trade union for physiotherapists in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1894, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has grown to become the profession's largest membership org ...
(CSP)
*
Chartered Trading Standards Institute
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is a professional association which represents and trains trading standards professionals working in local authorities, business and consumer sectors and in central government in the UK and overseas ...
(CTSI)
*
College of Optometrists
The College of Optometrists is the professional, scientific and examining body for optometry in the United Kingdom, working for the public benefit. Their headquarters is at 41-42 Craven Street, London WC2, of which no 41 is a Grade II listed bu ...
(CoO)
*
College of Paramedics
The College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for paramedics in the United Kingdom. The role of the College is to promote and develop the paramedic profession across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The college rep ...
(CoP)
*
The Chartered College of Teaching
The Chartered College of Teaching is a learned society for the teaching profession in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1846, the college was incorporated by Queen Victoria into a royal charter as the College of Preceptors in 1849. A supplemental cha ...
(CCT)
E–H
*
Energy Institute
The Energy Institute (EI) is a professional organization for engineers and other professionals in energy-related fields. The EI was formed in 2003 by the merger of the Institute of Petroleum (dating back to 1913) and the Institute of Energy (d ...
(EI)
*
English Association
The English Association is a subject association for English dedicated to furthering the study and enjoyment of English language and literature in schools, higher education institutes and amongst the public in general.
It was founded in 1906 by ...
(EA)
*
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London, known commonly as the Geological Society, is a learned society based in the United Kingdom. It is the oldest national geological society in the world and the largest in Europe with more than 12,000 Fellows.
Fe ...
I–J
*
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries is the professional body which represents and regulates actuaries in the United Kingdom.
History
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries came into being on 1 August 2010 as a result of the merger of the Insti ...
(IFoA)
*
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is a professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports chartered accountants and students around the world. As of July 2022, it has over 198,000 members ...
(ICAEW)
*
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Chartered Accountants Ireland was established by Royal Charter on 14 May 1888, and is Ireland's largest accountancy body. According to its website, it represents over 30,000 members globally.
Chartered Accountants Ireland is part of the Con ...
(ICAI, operates in
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
)
*
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) is the world's first professional body of Chartered Accountants (CAs). It is a regulator, educator, influencer and thought leader.
ICAS act as a thought leader and voice of the professiona ...
(ICAS)
*
Institute of Chartered Foresters
The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) is the professional body for foresters and arboriculturists in the United Kingdom. Its royal charter
A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters paten ...
(ICF)
*
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
The Chartered Governance Institute (previously known as The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, ICSA) has divisions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong/China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Southern Africa, the United Kingdom an ...
(ICSA)
*
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) is a professional and learned society for all members of the commercial shipping industry worldwide. After being founded in 1911 in London, the ICS was granted a Royal Charter in 1920.
The Institute ...
(ICS)
*
Institute of Conservation
The Institute of Conservation (Icon) is the professional charitable body, representing and supporting the practice and profession of conservation. It has around 2500 members worldwide, including professional conservators, scientists and teachers i ...
(Icon)
*
Institute of Directors
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is a British professional organisation for company directors, senior business leaders and entrepreneurs. It is the UK's longest running organisation for professional leaders, having been founded in 1903 and incor ...
Institute of Health and Social Care Management
Overview
The Institute of Health and Social Care Management (IHSCM) is a professional organisation within the United Kingdom, for managers in the health and social care sectors. Its membership covers the National Health Service, independent ...
(IHSCM)
*
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is the international membership body and learned society for marine professionals operating in the spheres of marine engineering, science, or technology. It has registered c ...
(IMarEST)
*
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) is a UK engineering institution whose activities encompass the whole materials cycle, from exploration and extraction, through characterisation, processing, forming, finishing and applicatio ...
Institute of Measurement and Control
Founded in 1944 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1975, The Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) is a professional members institution for individuals and companies that operate within the measurement and control industries. Its aims a ...
(InstMC)
*
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application.
It was founded in 1874 and has a worldwide membership of over 20,000. The IOP is the Physica ...
(IoP)
*
Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), incorporated by a Royal Charter, is the trade body and professional institute for agencies and individuals working in the UK's advertising, media and marketing communications industry.
History
F ...
(IPA)
*
Institute of Refrigeration
The Institute of Refrigeration is an organisation in the UK that supports the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.
History
The Institute was formed in 1899 as the Cold Storage and Ice Association, the first national society in the world f ...
(InstR)
*
Institution of Chemical Engineers
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is a global professional engineering institution with over 33,000 members worldwide. It was founded in 1922 and awarded a Royal Charter in 1957.
It has offices in Rugby, London, Melbourne, Wellingto ...
(IChemE)
*
Institution of Civil Engineers
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is an independent professional association for civil engineers and a charitable body in the United Kingdom. Based in London, ICE has over 92,000 members, of whom three-quarters are located in the UK, whi ...
(ICE)
*
Institution of Engineering and Technology
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a multidisciplinary professional engineering institution. The IET was formed in 2006 from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), dating back to 1871, and ...
(IET)
*
Institution of Engineering Designers
The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) is a British professional engineering institution founded in 1945. The IED is the UK’s only professional body representing those working in the fields of Engineering and Technological Product Desig ...
(IED)
*
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is an independent professional association and learned society headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that represents mechanical engineers and the engineering profession. With over 120,000 member ...
(IMechE)
*
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is a global organisation for health and safety professionals, based in UK.
Structure
IOSH is the chartered professional body for health and safety in the workplace. It acts as a champion, ...
Institution of Structural Engineers
The Institution of Structural Engineers is a professional body for structural engineering based in the United Kingdom.
The Institution has over 30,000 members operating in over 100 countries. The Institution provides professional accreditation ...
(IStructE)
K–P
*
Landscape Institute
The Landscape Institute (LI) is a UK based professional body for the landscape profession. Its membership includes landscape architects, urban designers, landscape planners, landscape scientists and landscape managers. The LI also has a catego ...
(LI)
*
The Law Society
The Law Society of England and Wales (officially The Law Society) is the professional association that represents solicitors for the jurisdiction of England and Wales. It provides services and support to practising and training solicitors, as ...
(LS)
*
Law Society of Northern Ireland
The Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland, commonly known as the Law Society of Northern Ireland, is a professional body established by Royal Charter granted on 10 July 1922 and whose powers and duties are to regulate the solicitors' prof ...
*
Linnean Society of London
The Linnean Society of London is a learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of information concerning natural history, evolution, and taxonomy. It possesses several important biological specimen, manuscript and literature colle ...
(LS)
Q–Z
*
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a British multi-disciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community. Founded in 1866, it is the oldest aeronautical society in the world. Members, Fellows ...
(RAeS)
*
Royal Agricultural Society of England
The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) promotes the scientific development of English agriculture. It was established in 1838 with the motto "Practice with Science" and received its Royal Charter from Queen Victoria in 1840. RASE is bas ...
(RASE)
*
Royal Anthropological Institute
The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland (RAI) is a long-established anthropological organisation, and Learned Society, with a global membership. Its remit includes all the component fields of anthropology, such as biolo ...
(RAI)
*
Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, commonly known as the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS), was established, according to its royal charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the en ...
(RAS)
*
Royal Astronomical Society
(Whatever shines should be observed)
, predecessor =
, successor =
, formation =
, founder =
, extinction =
, merger =
, merged =
, type = NGO ...
(RAS)
*
Royal College of Anaesthetists
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom. It sets standards in anaesthesia, critical care, pain management, and for the training of anaestheti ...
*
Royal College of General Practitioners
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the professional body for general (medical) practitioners (GPs/Family Physicians/Primary Care Physicians) in the United Kingdom. The RCGP represents and supports GPs on key issues including l ...
(RCGP)
*
Royal College of Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is a registered trade union in the United Kingdom for those in the profession of nursing. It was founded in 1916, receiving its royal charter in 1928. Queen Elizabeth II was the patron until her death in 2022. ...
(RCN)
*
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is a professional association based in London, United Kingdom. Its members, including people with and without medical degrees, work in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, that is ...
(RCOG)
*
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists (RCO) is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, with members worldwide. Its role is to promote and advance organ playing and choral music, and it offers music education, training and de ...
(RCO)
*
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, often referred to as the RCPCH, is the professional body for paediatricians (doctors specialising in child health) in the United Kingdom. It is responsible for the postgraduate training of paed ...
(RCPCH)
*
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, is an institute of physicians and surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.
Founded by Peter Lowe after receiving a royal charter by James VI in 1599, as the Glasgow Faculty, it originally exist ...
*
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) is a medical royal college in Scotland. It is one of three organisations that sets the specialty training standards for physicians in the United Kingdom. It was established by Royal charter ...
*
Royal College of Physicians of London
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is a British professional membership body dedicated to improving the practice of medicine, chiefly through the accreditation of physicians by examination. Founded by royal charter from King Henry VIII in 1 ...
*
Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the main professional organisation of psychiatrists in the United Kingdom, and is responsible for representing psychiatrists, for psychiatric research and for providing public information about mental health ...
*
Royal College of Radiologists
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) is the professional body responsible for the specialties of clinical oncology and clinical radiology throughout the United Kingdom. Its role is to advance the science and practice of radiology and oncol ...
(RCR)
*
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (abbreviated as RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and a registered charity. It was established on 6 January 1945 to promote the study of speech therapy ...
(RCSLT)
*
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is an independent professional body and registered charity that promotes and advances standards of surgical care for patients, and regulates surgery and dentistry in England and Wales. The ...
*
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is a professional organisation of surgeons. The College has seven active faculties, covering a broad spectrum of surgical, dental, and other medical practices. Its main campus is located on ...
*
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, established in 1844 by royal charter. It is responsible for monitoring the educational, ethical and clinical standards of the v ...
(RCVS)
*
Royal Economic Society
The Royal Economic Society (RES) is a professional association that promotes the study of economic science in academia, government service, banking, industry, and public affairs. Originally established in 1890 as the British Economic Association, ...
(RES)
*
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers), often shortened to RGS, is a learned society and professional body for geography based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical scien ...
(RGS-IBG)
*
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society, founded in 1868, is a learned society of the United Kingdom which advances scholarly studies of history.
Origins
The society was founded and received its royal charter in 1868. Until 1872 it was known as the Histori ...
(RHS)
*
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is the professional body for architects in Scotland.
History
Previously the (lapsed) Architectural Institute of Scotland, it was re-founded in 1916 as the Incorporation of Architects in ...
(RIAS)
*
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally, founded for the advancement of architecture under its royal charter granted in 1837, three suppl ...
(RIBA)
*
Royal Institute of Navigation
The Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) is a learned society and a professional body for navigation. The RIN was founded in 1947 as a forum for mariners, pilots, engineers and academics to compare their experiences and exchange information. Toda ...
(RIN)
*
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is a global professional body for surveyors, founded in London in 1868. It works at a cross-governmental level, and aims to promote and enforce the highest international standards in the val ...
(RICS)
*
Royal Institution of Naval Architects
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (also known as RINA) is an international organisation representing naval architects. It is an elite international professional institution based in London. Its members are involved worldwide at all levels ...
(RINA)
*
Royal Meteorological Society
The Royal Meteorological Society is a long-established institution that promotes academic and public engagement in weather and climate science. Fellows of the Society must possess relevant qualifications, but Associate Fellows can be lay enthus ...
(RMetS)
*
Royal Microscopical Society
The Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) is a learned society for the promotion of microscopy. It was founded in 1839 as the Microscopical Society of London making it the oldest organisation of its kind in the world. In 1866, the society gained it ...
(RMS)
*
Royal Pharmaceutical Society
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPharmS or RPS) is the body responsible for the leadership and support of the pharmacy profession (pharmacists) within England, Scotland, and Wales. It was created along with the General Pharmaceutical Council ...
(RPS)
*
Royal Photographic Society
The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, commonly known as the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), is one of the world's oldest photographic societies. It was founded in London, England, in 1853 as the Photographic Society of London with ...
(RPS)
*
Royal Society for Public Health
Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is an independent, multi-disciplinary charity dedicated to the improvement of the public's health.
RSPH helps inform policy and practice, working to educate, empower and support communities and individuals ...
(RSPH)
*
Royal Society of Biology
The Royal Society of Biology (RSB), previously called the Society of Biology, is a learned society and professional association in the United Kingdom created to advance the interests of biology in academia, industry, education, and research. Fo ...
(RSB)
*
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is a learned society (professional association) in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemistry, chemical sciences". It was formed in 1980 from the amalgamation of the Chemical Society, the Ro ...
(RSC)
*
Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) is a medical society in the United Kingdom, headquartered in London.
History
The Society was established in 1805 as Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, meeting in two rooms in barristers’ chambers ...
(RSM)
*
Royal Statistical Society
The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is an established statistical society. It has three main roles: a British learned society for statistics, a professional body for statisticians and a charity which promotes statistics for the public good.
...
(RSS)
*
Royal Town Planning Institute
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is the professional body representing planners in the United Kingdom, and Ireland. It promotes and develops policy affecting planning and the built environment. Founded in 1914, the institute was gra ...
(RTPI)
*
Society for Radiological Protection
The Society for Radiological Protection is the leading UK professional body promoting learning and skills in the field of Radiological Protection. The Society was formed in 1963, and received its Royal Charter in 2007. It has the overall objective ...
(SRP)
*
Society of Dyers and Colourists The Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) is an international professional society, with headquarters in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK, specializing in colour in all its manifestations. Founded in 1884, it was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation ...
(SDC)
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The Textile Institute The Textile Institute is a professional body for those engaged in clothing, footwear, and textile's whose headquarters are at 8th Floor St James's Buildings, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FQ, UK. The institute was founded in 1910 and incorpora ...
(TEXI)
Non-chartered
A
*
The Academy of Experts The Academy of Experts (TAE; formerly the British Academy of Experts) is a UK legal institute for expert witnesses. It was founded in 1987 with the objective of providing a professional body for experts to establish and promote high objective standa ...
(TAE)
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Arboricultural Association
The Arboricultural Association is the largest body in the UK for the amenity tree care professional ( arboriculturalists).
Structure
There are over 3000 Arboricultural Association members and the trade body is recognised by local Government, th ...
(AA)
*
Archives and Records Association
The Archives and Records Association (ARA) is the principal professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in the UK and Ireland. The Archives and Records Association (ARA, UK & Ireland) came into existence on 1 J ...
Association of Taxation Technicians
The Association of Taxation Technicians or ATT, is a leading professional body in the UK for those providing tax compliance services and related activities. It is registered with The Charity Commission in the U(803480)
The association has over 9, ...
(ATT)
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Association of University Administrators
The Association of University Administrators (AUA) is the professional body for higher education administrators and managers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
The AUA was formed from a merger of the Association of Polytechnic Adminis ...
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists practising in the United Kingdom.
History
Originally founded in 1977 as the British Association for Counselling, aide ...
(BACP)
*
British Association of Social Workers
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is the largest professional association of registered social workers and qualified care managers in the United Kingdom. The association has a members' code of ethics that outlines best social work ...
(BASW)
*
British Guild of Travel Writers
The British Guild of Travel Writers Limited is a private company limited by guarantee formed in April 2015.
This private company is the successor organisation to the erstwhile voluntary association known as the British Guild of Travel Writers. ...
(BGTW)
*
British Occupational Hygiene Society
The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) is a Chartered, science-based, charitable body that provides information and expertise about workplace health risks or occupational hygiene. As of 2020, its chief executive officer is Kevin Bampton. ...
British Pest Control Association
British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is a not-for-profit organisation and trade association representing over 750 organisations and more than 3500 individuals with a professional interest in the eradication of public health pests without risk ...
(BPCA)https://bpca.org.uk/
*
College of Paramedics
The College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for paramedics in the United Kingdom. The role of the College is to promote and develop the paramedic profession across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The college rep ...
(CoP)
*
Direct Marketing Association
The Data & Marketing Association (formerly, Direct Marketing Association), also known as the DMA, is a trade organization for marketers. In 2017 their web site stated "Yes, 100 years ago we were the Direct Mail Marketing Association and then the Di ...
(DMA)
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Faculty of Advocates
The Faculty of Advocates is an independent body of lawyers who have been admitted to practise as advocates before the courts of Scotland, especially the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary. The Faculty of Advocates is a constitu ...
*
Freshwater Biological Association
The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) is an independent scientific organisation founded in 1929 in Cumbria by Felix Eugen Fritsch, William Harold Pearsall, Francis Balfour-Browne, and Robert Gurney among others. Whilst originally created to ...
(FBA)
*
General Council of the Bar
The General Council of the Bar, commonly known as the Bar Council, is the representative body for barristers in England and Wales. Established in 1894, the Bar Council is the 'approved regulator' of barristers, but discharges its regulatory functi ...
Incorporated Society of Musicians
The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK and Ireland's professional body for musicians representing over 11,000 individuals across all areas of the music industry. The ISM is also a subject association for music education and is an ind ...
(ISM)
*
Information and Records Management Society
The IRMS (Information and Records Management Society) (formerly known as the Records Management Society) was founded in 1983 as the main professional body for records managers in Great Britain and Ireland. Its objectives are to strive to further k ...
(IRMS)
* The
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. There are four Inns of Court – Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple.
All barristers must belong to one of them. They have ...
, comprising
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court (professional associations for barristers and judges) in London. To be called to the bar in order to practise as a barrister in England and Wale ...
,
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. (The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn.) Lincoln ...
,
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as the Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court and is a professional associations for barristers and judges. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wal ...
, and
Middle Temple
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known simply as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers, the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn an ...
*
Insolvency Practitioners Association
The Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) is a professional body whose purpose is to inform and regulate insolvency practitioners (IPs) within the UK and Ireland. There is a similar organisation in Australia.
History
Formed in 1961 as a di ...
(IPA)
*
Institute for the Management of Information Systems
The Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS), previously called the Institute of Data Processing Management (IDPM), is an international association in the field of Information Systems Management. Its headquarters is in the United ...
Institute of Administrative Management
The Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) is an awarding organisation and professional body for practising and aspiring administrative and business managers. They support students and members across 58 countries worldwide.
Topics
Admini ...
(IAM)
*
Institute of Biomedical Science
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the professional body for biomedical scientists in the United Kingdom. The IBMS was founded in 1912 and represents approximately 20,000 members employed mainly in the National Health Service and Unite ...
Institute of Commercial Management
The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), founded in 1979, is a Professional Body for Commercial and Business Development Managers, and an Examining and Professional Qualifications Awarding Body, for business and management students.
The ins ...
(ICM)
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Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
The Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) is a professional body dedicated to supporting Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability practitioners. It is the successor to the Corporate Responsibility Group.
ICRS was laun ...
Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) is the largest professional body for environmental practitioners in the United Kingdom and worldwide, with nearly 20,000 members.
Members receive updates on current environmental law ...
(IEMA)
*
Institute of Employability Professionals
The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) is the professional Trade association, association for the employability profession. The organisation was founded in 2011, and works to support the Professional development, continued professional ...
(IEP)
*
Institute of Financial Accountants
The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) is a professional accountacy body representing and providing certification for financial accountants in the United Kingdom. The IFA is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants.
H ...
(IFA)
*
Institute of Food Science and Technology
Institute of Food Science & Technology is an independent qualifying body for food professionals based in the UK that is concerned with all aspects of food science and technology.
The IFST was established to advance food science and technology, t ...
Institute of Information Security Professionals
The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec), formerly the Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP), is an independent, not-for-profit body governed by its members, with the principal objective of advancing the professio ...
Institute of Leadership & Management
The Institute of Leadership & Management is a professional membership body for leaders and managers. Its stated mission is to inspire great leadership - everywhere.
The institute is a charity registered in England, Wales and Scotland, with it ...
Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) is the UK's largest professional association for those involved in technical communication and information design. It encourages professional education and standards, provides guidance ...
(ISTC)
*
Institute of Tourist Guiding
Blue Badge Tourist Guides are a body of commonly associated tourist guides in the United Kingdom. They wear a Blue Badge to indicate their membership of this formalised association. They are recognised by local tourist bodies throughout the UK, an ...
Institute of Transport Administration
The Institute of Transport Administration (IoTA) is an international professional association for individuals who work in transport management (traffic management), including road, rail, sea and air. Founded in 1944, it was previously known as ...
(IoTA)
*
Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management
{{Infobox organization
, name = Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management
, image =
, image_border =
, size =
, alt =
, caption =
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, malt ...
(IWFM)
*
Institution of Agricultural Engineers
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) is a British professional engineering institution founded in 1938. It is licensed by the Engineering Council to assess candidates for inclusion on its Register of professional Engineers and Techni ...
(IAgrE)
*
Institution of Analysts and Programmers
The Institution of Analysts and Programmers is a professional body that represents those working in Systems Analysis, Design, Programming and implementation of computer systems both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Established in 1972 ...
(IAP)
*
Institution of Environmental Sciences
The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) is a professional body (professional association) in the United Kingdom. The organisation is a registered charity with the object of "to advance environmental protection and improvement by promoting ...
(IES)
*
Institution of Fire Engineers
Institutions are humanly devised structures of rules and norms that shape and constrain individual behavior. All definitions of institutions generally entail that there is a level of persistence and continuity. Laws, rules, social conventions a ...
(IFE)
*
Institution of Railway Signal Engineers
The Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) is a worldwide professional body for all those engaged or interested in railway signalling and telecommunications (S&T) and allied disciplines.
Local sections
The IRSE is based in London, with ...
(IRSE)
*
International Association of Hydrogeologists
The International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) is a scientific and educational organisation whose aims are to promote research into and understanding of the proper management and protection of groundwater for the common good throughout the ...
(IAH)
*
International Institute of Risk and Safety Management
The International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM) is a non-profit professional organization for occupational health and safety practitioners worldwide, based in the United Kingdom. It provides education, training, advice, resources ...
(IIRSM)
*
International Society of Typographic Designers
The International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) is a professional body run by and for typographers, graphic designers, and educators. The society has an international membership and its aims are to establish and maintain standards of typo ...
(ISTD)
*
Institute of Financial Accountants
The Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) is a professional accountacy body representing and providing certification for financial accountants in the United Kingdom. The IFA is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants.
H ...
(IFA)
J–Z
*
Museums Association
The Museums Association (MA) is a professional membership organisation based in London for museum, gallery and heritage professionals, museums, galleries and heritage organisations, and companies that work in the museum, gallery and heritage s ...
(MA)
*
Operational Research Society
The Operational Research Society (ORS), also known as The OR Society, is an international learned society in the field of operational research (OR), with more than 3,100 members (2021). It has its headquarters in Birmingham, England.
History
The ...
(ORS)
*
Palaeontological Association
The Palaeontological Association (PalAss for short) is a charitable organisation based in the UK founded in 1957 for the promotion of the study of palaeontology and allied sciences.
Publications
The Association publishes two main journals: ' ...
(PalAss)
*
Professional Publishers Association
The Professional Publishers Association (PPA), formerly known as the Periodical Publishers Association until 2011, is the main publishing industry body which promotes companies involved in the production of media, supporting the creative economy at ...
(PPA)
*
Royal Society of Ulster Architects
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) is the professional body for registered architects in Northern Ireland.Security Institute (SyI)
*
Society of British and International Interior Design
The Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) is the Professional association, professional organisation and accreditation body to the interior design profession, operating across commercial and residential design sectors.
SBI ...
(SBID)
*
Society of Indexers
The Society of Indexers (SI) is a professional society of indexers based in the UK, with its offices in Sheffield, England, but has members worldwide. The society was established in 1957, while its quarterly journal, ''The Indexer'' has been publ ...
(SI)
*
Society and College of Radiographers
The Society of Radiographers (SoR) is a professional body and trade union that represents more than 90 percent of the diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in the United Kingdom. The College of Radiographers (CoR) is a charitable subsidiary o ...
(SCoR)
*
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) was founded by George Tasker in 1991 and is the international professional body for advisers who specialise in inheritance and succession planning. Its members are mainly solicitors, barrister ...
(STEP)
*
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a professional association of psychotherapy organisations and practitioners in the United Kingdom. It is restricted to registered clinical psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsell ...
(UKCP)
See also
*
List of organisations in the United Kingdom with a royal charter
List of organisations in the United Kingdom with a royal charter is an incomplete list of organisations based in the United Kingdom that have received a royal charter from an English, Scottish, or British monarch.
There are over 900 bodies ...
*
List of regulators in the United Kingdom
The following is a list of regulators in the UK. Regulators exercise regulatory or supervisory authority over a variety of endeavours.
In addition, local authorities in the UK provide regulatory functions in a number of areas. Professional ass ...
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...