CILIP Professional Registration: what’s in it for you?

Our members work at a variety of levels and across a wide range of library and information sectors. The opportunity that all members have in common is the opportunity to participate in Professional Registration. What does it involve? And why should you consider it? 

The headlines

Through Professional Registration, you can:

• Acquire and develop new skills, knowledge, and experience

• Strengthen your CV and employment opportunities

• Demonstrate your value

Am I ready for it?

Whatever stage you are at in your career, there is a level of Professional Registration that’s right for you! If you’re just starting out, want to build core competencies, and want to gain confidence in the work you do, choose Certification. If you’ve been working in the profession for a few years and can reflect on and evaluate your performance in the context of your organisation, then Chartership could be for you. Fellowship is available to those who contribute to work across their sector, have substantial achievements in professional practice and can demonstrate significant impact.

Whichever level of Professional Registration is right for you, you can work flexibly to build your portfolio and can choose to have the support of a mentor. Additionally, there is a network of Professional Registration Support Officers (PRSOs) who can advise you on the process of applying.

How do I get started?

CILIP members pay an enrolment fee and will automatically be added to a Professional Registration Candidates Group. You will have access to a list of CILIP mentors, videos and other online support materials, and can participate in a range of webinars delivered by PRSOs, such as Getting Started with Professional Registration and Reflective Writing. 

Your next steps will be guided by the Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB). This is a tool that helps you map your skills against core competencies. You will choose to rate yourself against 12 – 15 PKSB areas which will, in turn, help you identify appropriate professional development activities. 

Assessment criteria

There are three assessment criteria, and you will need to assemble evidence that you meet all three equally. They address your personal performance; the organisational context of your work; and your engagement with the wider profession.

You will also need to include an evaluative statement, which allows you to tell the story of your professional development and Professional Registration journey.

Professional recognition

Once you’ve successfully undertaken Professional Registration, you will have demonstrated your commitment to improving your professional knowledge. Your CILIP membership will be upgraded as appropriate and you will be entitled to use post-nominals (ACLIP, MCLIP or FCLIP depending on the level).

If you choose to, you can then go on to Revalidate by completing 20 hours of CPD activities. Revalidation is free and shows you’re keeping in touch with the profession.

Find out more

What are you waiting for? Professional Registration is an investment in yourself. It’s about making time to develop yourself, getting formal recognition for what you’ve achieved in the workplace, and about considering your longer-term professional pathway. Find out more about Professional Registration: https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/ProfessionalRegistration. 

Melanie Wood (CILIP mentor and PRSO for CILIP NE)