Chartered Physicist (CPhys)
Chartered Physicist (CPhys)
Why become a Chartered Physicist?
Achieving Chartered Physicist status enhances your reputation and exemplifies your dedication to raising the standards within your sector, the physics community and society.
Registrants are assessed against recognised professional standards, as part of a rigorous process, providing confidence and trust in your expertise and leadership amongst employers, peers and stakeholders.
Further benefits for you
Registration provides recognition of your achievements. It will also provide you with increased career opportunities, enhanced credibility and greater influence in your field.
Additionally, you will be identified as an accomplished professional who acts with integrity, behaves ethically and is invested in learning and development, for the benefit of yourself and others.
Who can apply for CPhys?
This registration is for members who are effective leaders and experts in their fields. You will be using your physics knowledge and skills to develop solutions to complex problems and exercising significant levels of responsibility for a sustained period of time.
The IOP Membership team is here to support your through the application process.
"I became a Chartered Physicist many years ago and that has helped me in my career in that it recognises my competence."
How to become a Chartered Physicist
What are the requirements?
You will need to provide evidence demonstrating your competence across five areas. You will provide examples from your working life.
The competence areas are:
- Application of general and specialist knowledge
- Application of physics to the analysis and solution of problems
- Technical and managerial skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Professional conduct
For more information on the competences, read the application guidance (PDF, 739KB).
We recommend that you use the application template document (DOC, 78KB) to assist you in preparing your responses before completing the online application form. This approach ensures that you have collated your responses and are able to share it with your supporters before progressing to the online application.
What qualifications do I need?
For CPhys, you will need to demonstrate your breadth and depth of physics knowledge through an accredited qualification or demonstrate equivalence through one of the outlined options below.
Qualifications:
- IOP-accredited integrated Master’s degree (e.g. MPhys/MSci)
Demonstrating equivalence:
- An accredited Bachelor’s degree or completion of the Core of Physics along with any one of the following:
- Master’s equivalence report
- Abstract from a physics-related MSc project or PhD thesis
- Teaching qualification and statement of assessment
If you are unsure if your degree is accredited, please email [email protected] and provide the designation (BSc/MPhys/MSci) and full title of your degree, the awarding university and the date you graduated. If you graduated from the University of Cambridge or the Open University you should also provide your degree transcript. For full details on demonstrating equivalence, please contact [email protected].
How much CPD is required?
You will also have to demonstrate your commitment to regularly undertaking professional development activities to ensure your skills and knowledge remain up to date.
We provide our members with a broad range of learning activities to support their ongoing commitment to continuing professional development (CPD).
Is there formal guidance for applying?
Applicants should use the online application form which includes a Professional Review Report section and a dedicated section for demonstrating equivalence. Please refer to the application guidance (PDF, 739KB) before starting your application to ensure that you have all the relevant information.
We recommend that you use the application template document (DOC, 78KB) to assist you in preparing your responses before completing the online application form. This approach ensures that you have collated your responses and are able to share it with your supporters before progressing to the online application.
Do I need supporters?
Applicants will need to identify two supporters. Please read the guidance on choosing your supporters for guidance in this area.
IOP Professional Registration Adviser (PRA) Scheme
What is the PRA scheme?
The IOP's Professional Registration Adviser (PRA) Scheme is designed to support members who are in the process of applying for a professional registration with the Institute of Physics. Professional registration advisers are members who serve on the professional registration panels and are trained to provide point-in-time advice on your application.
How do I find out more and apply?
Find out more about the PRA Scheme for applicants, including how to apply to be matched with an adviser.