Chartered Chemist (CChem)
You’re helping to advance the chemical sciences. Demonstrate that with a Chartered Chemist status.
Whichever path brought you to the chemical sciences, you can become a Chartered Chemist.
Our global community of over 10,000 Chartered Chemists work within a wide variety of roles and sectors. Research scientists, entrepreneurs, teachers, technicians, policymakers and regulators 鈥� they all play their part in advancing the chemical sciences.
CChem gives you formal recognition of your commitment to maintaining high professional standards and continued learning. It recognises more than your chemical science knowledge and skills. With CChem, you demonstrate how you are helping to advance excellence in the chemical sciences.
A competence-based award, CChem gives structure to your continuing professional development, whether you're just starting out or an established professional.
Interested? to find out more about the award.
On this page
Why should I apply?
Achieving CChem status means you have:
- built on your academic achievements and developed professional skills
- gained in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of your chosen area of the sciences
- developed strong scientific and transferable skills and are committed to improving them and developing your career
- contributed to the success of your organisation, business or institution
shown personal and professional integrity - made a contribution to the profession and are committed to advancing excellence in the sciences
Who can apply?
CChem is for those working in the chemical sciences who have:
- membership of the 浪花直播 (MRSC or FRSC)
- a Master's-level (M-level) qualification in the chemical sciences, or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through experience
- evidence that you meet the CChem attributes
- a commitment to continuing your professional development
Early career or established in your field?
Path 1 鈥� those with fewer than six years鈥� experience at or above the Master鈥檚 level in the chemical sciences can apply for our Professional Development Programme. It's a structured two-year route that allows you to work with your mentor to develop all the right skills needed to achieve CChem status.
Path 2 鈥� if you have more than six years鈥� experience at or above Master鈥檚 level in the chemical sciences, you can apply for the Direct Programme. Working with a mentor, this route enables you to look back over the last two years, self-reflect on your experiences, and explore the impact you've made.
Not currently in work?
You can register to apply for CChem if you stopped working within the last six months. For your application, you will need to provide evidence of fulfilling the professional attributes from your last two years of work.
In postgraduate study?
You may be able to register to apply for CChem if you are currently studying for a PhD. You must hold full Member status (MRSC) and be able to provide evidence of fulfilling the professional attributes from your postgraduate level experience.
If you're not already a member, it's easy to join.
To upgrade to MRSC, visit the .
What does it cost?
- The application fee is 拢100
- The annual retention fee is 拢34 per year, paid with your membership renewal
Not a member of the RSC? It's easy to join.
How to apply
Please read our guide Achieving Chartered Chemist status before registering and going to the next step.
You'll be asked to demonstrate that you have developed a breadth and depth of chemical science knowledge, along with the necessary supporting transferable skills.
Before you start, make sure you have:
鉁攁n up-to-date CV 鈥� you'll need to submit this when registering
鉁攖he name of your mentor to support you in your application and, if your mentor is not familiar with your work, the name of a referee
Need help finding a mentor? Get in touch and we'll help you identify a mentor from within your workplace or network, or from our CChem mentor pool.
Work with your mentor to identify which of the 14 attributes you can provide evidence for. Then, identify and plan how you can develop evidence against the attributes that you don鈥檛 have evidence for.
You'll be asked to submit written statements detailing how you have met the 14 professional attributes, along with a portfolio of primary evidence.
We'll review your application to make sure you've provided everything that we need, and work with you to address any gaps.
Your application (the 14 written statements, your mentor鈥檚 comments, and your portfolio of evidence) will be assessed by two independent CChem assessors.
on what the CChem assessors are looking for in your application.
If you experience restrictions with sharing your evidence, please get in touch to find out what options are available.
I'm ready - take me to the members' area to register.
We are committed to ensuring full and equal participation from disabled chemists, and to making reasonable adjustments to our application process in support of this aim. If you wish to discuss any disability, health condition or impairment that may impact on your submission, please get in touch with the team to discuss the support and adjustments available.
The application process
- Complete the eligibly check. Prepare your CV, choose a mentor, then complete the registration form and submit with the application fee
- Complete your application. Work with your mentor to identify where you can meet the attributes with existing evidence or through your current role
- Develop your skills. Work with your mentor to identify and plan how you can develop evidence against the attributes that you don鈥檛 have evidence for
- Reflect on your development. Discuss your evidence with your mentor and reflect on its suitability for CChem
- Gather evidence. Identify suitable evidence to support your statements
- Submit your evidence. Submit your written statements about 14 professional attributes and portfolio of evidence. Your mentor will then add their comments
- Review. We'll review your submission and let you know if you need to make any changes
- Peer-review. After a final check by us, we'll send your submission to our independent CChem assessors for final review
Help with your application
- Launch of new CChem Attributes
鈫扐chieving Chartered Chemist status
鈫扡ist of Chem attributes
鈫扲oles and responsibilities of the CChem Mentor
鈫扝ow to succeed as a CChem mentor
鈫扖Chem frequently asked questions (FAQs)
We also offer support through:
- CChem events
- one-to-one consultations
- our informal online support group, CChemCaf茅
- reviewing your submission, either part way through or the final version
To book your consultation or submission review, please contact us.
Contact us about Chartered Chemist (CChem)
We're here to help. Get in touch with any questions about the Chartered Chemist (CChem) professional award.
Maintaining your CChem status
Keeping your knowledge and skills up to date is essential in a fast-changing world. And, like most professional awards, it's a mandatory requirement to commit to continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your CChem status. We offer members a free CPD recording tool to make this easier.
You may be selected for revalidation or you may choose to revalidate. If you are selected for revalidation, you'll be asked to submit a report describing:
- your CPD plans
- your relevant learning activities, linked to the 14 attributes, in three of the following five areas:
- work-based learning (for example, supervising staff/students, reflective practice)
- professional activity (involvement in a professional body, mentoring)
- formal/educational (writing articles/papers, further education)
- self-directed learning (reading journals, reviewing books/articles
- other (voluntary work, public service)
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