Grades of Membership

The CISI has five different grades of membership. Whether you are just starting out in the professional field; have achieved a relevant professional qualification; or you are an established practitioner with a wealth of experience, there is a grade appropriate for your level. You also have the opportunity to become personally chartered – the pinnacle of professionalism.

Affiliate

Why become an Affiliate?

Becoming an Affiliate member of the CISI is a straightforward way to improve your career prospects.

As an Affiliate member of the CISI, you demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence. It shows colleagues and clients that you want to develop your knowledge and progress in your career.

Membership is also a way to show your commitment to ethical behaviour. All CISI members must complete an integrity test upon joining, as well as sign up to a code of conduct.

Affiliate membership is ideal for those forging a career in financial services, whose job role does not require a specialist financial qualification.

What you get...

The range of benefits means Affiliate members can keep up with the latest professional developments, access in-depth insight and develop wide-ranging professional connections – without having to undertake exams.

Members can also keep a tangible record of all of this through an automatically updated CPD record, demonstrating to employers a commitment to professional development.

With over 450 events held each year there are regular opportunities for networking and development. On top of this, our renowned professional publication, the Review, available in print and online, gives weekly updates of news, opinion and analysis from financial services experts. Other benefits include Professional Refresher modules, online lectures on CISI TV and exclusive online networks – to ensure members can build their connections and develop their knowledge, wherever they are based.

View the full range of membership benefits Table of benefits

How you can join

Becoming a member and taking this step forward in your career is easy:

Associate (ACSI)

Why become an Associate?

Associate membership gives you the competitive advantage you need to stand out from your colleagues.

Becoming an Associate publicly demonstrates your commitment to professionalism, integrity and excellence to clients and colleagues. It also shows the effort you have made to undertake financial qualifications and your determination to continue your professional development. The designatory letters that Associate members can use – ACSI – are a way of demonstrating membership of the leading professional body in your profession.

This level of membership is perfectly suited to professionals with experience of the profession, who are looking to progress to more senior positions. The knowledge, insight and expertise that Associate members can access helps them differentiate themselves from colleagues.

It is also a tangible demonstration of your commitment to ethical behaviour – all CISI members must complete an integrity test upon joining, as well as sign up to a code of conduct.

 

What you get...

The designatory letters you can use are a clear way to demonstrate your achievements to managers and clients, whilst the insight you can access as an Associate member helps you reach your potential.

Benefits such as our renowned professional publication, the Review, available on and offline, will help you stay up to date. And through the online portal MyCISI, members can access information on the major professional issues, using intuitive tools such as Professional Refresher and CISI TV.

View the full range of membership benefits Table of benefits

How to become an Associate

Associate membership requires a minimum of a qualifying level CISI qualification, a threshold competency qualification or an equivalent qualification from another professional body. If you have earned one of these qualifications you can either:



If you are an existing CISI member, and regularly complete continuing professional development (CPD) or have completed further CISI examinations, you may be eligible to upgrade your membership. You will be automatically notified when you become eligible to upgrade, via an automated email as well as a message which will appear within your MyCISI portal. You then just need to complete a simple form to upgrade your membership.

Member (MCSI)

Why become a full Member (MCSI)

Attaining full Member status indicates a high level of knowledge in financial services as well as a commitment to the principles of professionalism, integrity and excellence. It is both a sign of achieving a higher level financial qualification, and of a desire for professional development.

This is made clear to colleagues and clients through the designatory letters that all full Members can use – MCSI. This level of membership shows an ongoing ambition to develop knowledge and progress to senior levels.

It is also a tangible demonstration of your commitment to ethical behaviour – all CISI members must complete an integrity test upon joining, as well as sign up to a code of conduct.

What you get...

Full membership gives you access to the advanced insight you need to stand out as a professional.

The designatory letters you can use are an easy way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to colleagues and clients, whilst the insight you can access as a full Member helps to define you as an expert in your area.

Benefits such as our renowned professional publication, the Review, available in print and online, will help you stay up to date. And through the online portal MyCISI, members can access information on the major professional issues, using intuitive tools such as Professional Refresher and CISI TV.

Reaching full Member level also provides access to the advanced insight available in the Investment Management Review, a higher level publication analysing major issues in financial services.

View our the full range of membership benefits Table of benefits

How to become a Member

Full Membership is awarded to those who have attained higher level qualifications or those who have extensive experience within the profession. If you have earned one of these qualifications you can apply using one of the methods below:



If you are an existing CISI member, and regularly complete continuing professional development (CPD) or have completed further CISI examinations, you may be eligible to upgrade your membership. You will be automatically notified when you become eligible to upgrade, via an automated email as well as a message which will appear within your MyCISI portal. You then just need to complete a simple form to upgrade your membership.

Individual Charter... The mark of professionalism

Across the world, and across industries, an Individual Charter is recognised as a symbol of the peak of professionalism. Holding a Charter tells clients, colleagues and regulators that you have already demonstrated an outstanding commitment to achieving the highest levels of knowledge, skills and behaviour and that you are dedicated to maintaining this.

By holding an Individual Charter from the CISI, the UK’s leading securities and investment professional body, you achieve the highest membership grade we offer.

The CISI offers three grades of Chartered membership, Chartered Member (Chartered MCSI), Chartered Fellow (Chartered FCSI) and Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning).

Why be a professional with the CISI? Contact us to start your journey to an Individual Charter

What you get...

Aside from the professional recognition of holding an Individual Charter, members of the CISI who achieve Chartered status also have access to certain exclusive benefits, in addition to the benefits available as standard to CISI members.

View the full range of membership benefits Table of benefits

How to become Chartered

Holding an Individual Charter with the CISI requires a continuous demonstration of knowledge, skills and behaviour. Through a combination of qualifications and a consistent record of continuing professional development (CPD) a member can become Chartered. Individually Chartered members will need to abide by the Royal Charter, Bye-laws, Regulations, and to uphold the Institute's high standards as published in its Professional Code. You can view the Individual Charter Policy, which explains the process for Chartered members of any grade to maintain their Chartership.

How to become a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow
How to become a Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning)

How to become a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow

For more information please read the Chartership FAQs or refer to the table below to check if you are eligible

Qualification
Level 3 CISI and Non-CISI
Level 4/5 CISI
Level 4/5 (Non-CISI)
Level 6/7 CISI
Level 6/7 CISI
Level 6/7 CISI
Level 6/7 CISI
Level 6/7 (non-CISI)
Chartered Member of a relevant non-CISI Body*
Integrity Matters
+ CPD Years at member Level
5 as an Associate
4 as an Associate
5 as an Associate
1 as an Associate
1 as a Member
1 as a Member
1 as a Member
1 as a Member
1 with the relevant non-CISI body
Eligible for Chartered Member
+ CPD Years at member Level
 
 
 
 
+2 as a CISI Member or Chartered Member
+3 as a Chartered Member of a relevant Body*
+1 as a CISI Member or Chartered Member
+2 as a Chartered Member of a relevant Body*
 
 
Eligible for Chartered Fellow
 
 
 
 
 
 

* Your CPD must have been logged in the consecutive years immediately preceding your CISI membership. You will need to provide written confirmation of your relevant membership history with the relevant Chartered Body, this should be included with your application. For the accepted relevant bodies, please see the Chartered Membership via another Chartered body FAQs.

 Link to PDF flow chart

How to Apply

  1. Complete the application form (new members should use the form here)
  2. Return it to applications@cisi.org or address: Customer Support Centre, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3BY
  3. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome. This may take up to 15 working days. If you have not received a response or if you have any other queries regarding Chartership, please contact us.

Application and upgrade Fees

Current Grade of Membership  Grade of Chartership Application and upgrade cost from 1 April 2023
Associate Chartered Member £125.00
Member Chartered Member £55.00
Member Chartered Fellow £80.00
Chartered Member Chartered Fellow £80.00
Chartered Member of another Chartered Body* Chartered Member £55.00
Fellow Chartered Fellow £55.00


*Your CPD must have been logged in the consecutive years immediately preceding your CISI membership. You will need to provide written confirmation of your relevant membership history with the relevant Chartered Body, this should be included with your application. For the accepted relevant bodies, please see the Chartered Membership via another Chartered body FAQs.