Chartered Physicist (CPhys) is a
chartered status and a
professional qualification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply ''certification'' or ''qualification'', is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task. Not all certifications ...
awarded by the
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 Physic ...
. It is denoted by the postnominals "CPhys".
Description
Achieving chartered status in any profession denotes to the wider community a high level of specialised subject knowledge and professional competence. According to the Institute of Physics, holders of the award of the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) demonstrate the "highest standards of professionalism, up-to-date expertise, quality and safety" along with "the capacity to undertake independent practice and exercise leadership" as well as "commitment to keep pace with advancing knowledge and with the increasing expectations and requirements for which any profession must take responsibility".
The status of Chartered Physicist was introduced in 1985 following approval from the
Privy Council. It was originally granted automatically with corporate membership of the Institute of Physics (IoP). Reform of the membership structure in 1998 saw Chartered Physicist established as a separate qualification from 2001 that could be gained either alongside or after the status of Member or Fellow of the IoP. In order to gain the qualification, a physicist must be appropriately qualified (an accredited MSci or
MPhys A Master of Physics honours (or MPhys (Hons)) degree is a specific master's degree for courses in the field of physics.
United Kingdom
In England and Wales, the MPhys is an undergraduate award available after pursuing a four-year course of study a ...
integrated master's degree is standard, although experience leading to an equivalent level can be counted), have had a minimum of two years of structured training and a minimum of two years responsible work experience, have demonstrated a commitment to continuing professional development, and have gained a number of competencies. For physicists gaining the status from 2012, revalidation through proof of
continuing professional development
Professional development is learning to earn or maintain professional credentials such as academic degrees to formal coursework, attending conferences, and informal learning opportunities situated in practice. It has been described as intensive ...
is required every three years.
Chartered Physicist is considered to be equal in status to
Chartered Engineer
Regulation and licensure in engineering is established by various jurisdictions of the world to encourage life, public welfare, safety, well-being, then environment and other interests of the general public and to define the licensure process thr ...
, which the IoP also awards as a member of the
Engineering Council UK
The Engineering Council (formerly Engineering Council UK; colloquially known as EngC) is the UK's regulatory authority for registration of Chartered and Incorporated engineers and engineering technician, holding a register of these and providin ...
, and other chartered statuses in the UK. It is also considered a "regulated profession" under the
European professional qualification directives
The main European legal instruments covering the mutual recognition of professional qualificationsis: Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. The directive covers the European Economic Area and has been amended sev ...
.
See also
*
Chartered Engineer
Regulation and licensure in engineering is established by various jurisdictions of the world to encourage life, public welfare, safety, well-being, then environment and other interests of the general public and to define the licensure process thr ...
*
Chartered Scientist
*
Chartered Chemist
*
European Engineer
European Engineer (EUR ING) is an international professional qualification and title for highly qualified engineers used in over 32 European countries. Contemporary EUR ING engineers are degree-qualified and have gained the highest level of profes ...
*
European Chemist
European Chemist (EurChem) is an international professional qualification awarded by the European Chemist Registration Board of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) for chemists and is for use in many European countries.
As Europe increasingly ...
References
{{Institute of Physics, state = collapsed
Institute of Physics
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the field of physics, which encompasses the interactions of matter and energy at all length and time scales in the physical universe.
Physicists generally are interested in the root or ultimate cau ...
Physics education