CIEEM membership grades and chartered status
CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) is the recognised UK professional body for ecologists and many conservation specialists. Membership grades indicate technical competence and carry measurable salary uplift.
Grade progression in plain English
- Student - in undergraduate study, no portfolio required.
- Graduate (GradCIEEM) - degree-qualified, building experience.
- Qualifying (QCIEEM) - working towards Associate competence.
- Associate (ACIEEM) - assessed competence to act independently in core areas. Portfolio + peer review.
- Full (MCIEEM) - senior technical competence, leadership of work, peer review.
- Fellow (FCIEEM) - distinguished contribution to the profession.
Chartered Ecologist (CEcol)
CEcol is awarded by CIEEM to MCIEEM members who pass an additional chartership panel review focused on ecological practice. It is recognised by Defra ALBs and senior consultancies as evidence of principal-technical competence.
Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
CEnv is awarded by the Society for the Environment via CIEEM (or other licensed bodies). It is broader than CEcol and crosses into environmental management more widely.
Salary uplift by grade
CIEEM 2024 survey medians: ACIEEM £32,000, MCIEEM £45,000, MCIEEM + CEcol £53,000. The uplift from ACIEEM to MCIEEM is typically £8,000-£13,000; from MCIEEM to CEcol typically £5,000-£10,000. See /inserts/cieem-chartered-uplift for the full breakdown.