About registration
Professional registration is a way for technicians to gain formal accreditation of their professionalism. It is a status awarded by licensed bodies that represent either the Science Council (for technical scientists) or the Engineering Council (for engineering technicians). Gaining professional registration is an important milestone for technical staff and demonstrates your knowledge, understanding and competence. It can also help you to gain credibility and confidence in the workplace.
Imperial is supportive of professional registration for our technical community, which is in line with our status as an Employer Champion. We fund all costs associated with professional registration and professional body membership for our technicians on an ongoing basis. We also offer a structured programme of support for professional registration for technical scientists, and are available to signpost professional body support for our engineering technicians.
We have collated some resources here, and you might also like to join the next cohort of Working Towards Professional Registration or to contact us for further support and guidance.
As President of the Institute of Science and Technology (IST), the professional body run by technicians, for technicians, I am keenly aware of the latest challenges to and support for the technical community.
Technicians are a key part of the modern world, in which science and technology are continually and rapidly changing. Technicians are vital to the success of business, research, and education, and they will play an increasingly important part in the global economy in the years to come. The IST believes that professional registration not only provides public recognition for knowledge and experience, it can develop skills and confidence too. As careers progress, registration highlights areas of strength and what can built on in order to move up through the various levels.
Technical staff in the College have great roles in a great institution. With national initiatives and social discourse aplenty more than ever, now is the time for technicians to take control, to get stuck in and to make a difference.
Dr Helen Sharman, UK Outreach Ambassador, Imperial College London