Before you apply

Requirements

To apply to become a Chartered Geologist or Chartered Scientist you must first be a Fellow of the Society.

You will need to demonstrate how you meet the respective Chartership competency criteria for each title. The validation process consists of your application, which is reviewed by Chartership assessors and is followed by a validation interview. The whole process should take less than four months from the submission deadline.

Please read all the relevant guidance before starting your application.

There is a one-off admission fee to be paid when you submit your application form. Once you become Chartered, an annual Chartership supplement will be added to your Fellowship fees.

Chartered Geologist (CGeol)

• You must be a Fellow of the Geological Society
• You must hold a recognised Master's level degree or equivalent qualification in Earth sciences, or be able to demonstrate equivalent Master's level experience. Fellows without a geoscience degree are eligible for validation but they must be able to demonstrate professional experience practising in Earth sciences.
• You need to have a sufficient number of years of relevant post-graduate experience in the profession and practice of geology (CGeol) or science (CSci) to be able to demonstrate competency in all of the criteria applicable to the Chartership for which you are applying.
  The Geological Society no longer specifies the number of years' experience needed to apply for Chartership. The length of time you will need will depend on a number of factors, including your exposure to new and different work experiences, coupled with the rate at which you assimilate the knowledge to become competent, as well as your motivation.
  However, as a very general guide, the Society has found that most successful applicants have had at least 4 to 5 years' relevant post-graduation work experience to gain the necessary level of competency. Those applicants that have a degree accredited by the Geological Society and/or have participated in an accredited company training scheme are typically able to become Chartered a year earlier than those who do not.

Chartered Scientist (CSci)

• You must be a Fellow of the Geological Society.
• You must hold a recognised Master's level degree or equivalent qualification in science, or be able to demonstrate equivalent Master's level experience.
• You need to have a sufficient number of years of relevant post-graduate experience in the profession and practice of geology (CGeol) or science (CSci) to be able to demonstrate competency in all of the criteria applicable to the Chartership for which you are applying.
  The Geological Society no longer specifies the number of years' experience needed to apply for Chartership. The length of time you will need will depend on a number of factors, including your exposure to new and different work experiences, coupled with the rate at which you assimilate the knowledge to become competent, as well as your motivation.
  However, as a very general guide, the Society has found that most successful applicants have had at least 4 to 5 years' relevant post-graduation work experience to gain the necessary level of competency. Those applicants that have a degree accredited by the Geological Society and/or have participated in an accredited company training scheme are typically able to become Chartered a year earlier than those who do not.

Master's level equivalence

If you do not hold a Master's level degree, you must submit a 'Master's Level Equivalence Report' (MLER).

Any candidates who wish to confirm their eligibility ahead of submitting a Chartership application can provide their MLER to the Chartership Office for review and approval.

Candidates applying via the 20+ years' professional experience route who do not have a Master's level degree are not required to provide an MLER.

Chartered Geologist 

Chartered Geologist is appropriate for Fellows who have a Master's level degree in Geology or a related Earth sciences subject (or equivalent experience) and are practising professional geoscientists for whom geoscientific knowledge is an essential element for their work.

Chartered Scientist 

Chartered Scientist is appropriate for Fellows practising as professional scientists where scientific knowledge is essential for their work. Those Fellows who usually opt for the CSci title include either of the below

• Those with sciences Master's-level degrees (or equivalent experience) now working in an aspect of Earth sciences
• Those with geoscience Master's-level degrees (or equivalent experience) but whose work is now in wider science areas

An essential part of the Chartership application is for you to select the general area of geosciences/science for which you are claiming competency. This specialism is then assessed against the required criteria at interview. Please select from the dropdown list in the application form, or contact chartership@geolsoc.org.uk if you need further advice about how best to align your skills.

Fellowship of the Geological Society encompasses a very broad range of geoscience, including a wide cross-section of geoscience themes, specialist groups and areas of expertise. The primary areas of expertise are shown in the list below.

• Academic Research and Teaching
• Contaminated Land
• Engineering Geology and Geotechnics
• Geoenvironment and Waste Management
• Geophysics
• Ground/Site Investigations
• Hydrogeology
• IT and Data Management
• Mining, Quarrying and Mineral Exploration
• Natural Hazards
• Oil and Gas
• and many others

Please note you are applying to become Chartered as a Geologist or Scientist but only for the specialism in which you practise and are competent (as nominated in your application form) and not geoscience or science as a whole. Should you start working outside your area of competence you will need to be supervised by a competent person or gain competency in that area through additional training. Because you must demonstrate competency in any of each specialism nominated in your application, the Society recommends recording a maximum of two specialisms.

Although the interview may focus strongly on meeting competency in the designated specialism (criteria I, ii and vii for CGeol, and criteria A and D for CSci), the other professional competencies are equally important and must be addressed within your application. These will also be discussed and assessed in the interview.

CGeol

In order to be validated as a Chartered Geologist, you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the seven competency criteria.

This criteria can be found on the 'pre-application compentacy checklist' for CGeol.

CSci

In order to be validated as a Chartered Scientist, applicants must demonstrate how they meet the requirements of the five competency criteria. These 5 criteria points can be found in the 'competancy report guidance' for CSci.  

Looking for tailored guidance for your sector or industry? Read more on guidance for specific sectors.

You need one Supporter who is a Chartered Geologist or Chartered Scientist, matching your application. Other professional qualifications may be accepted, but must be agreed in advance with the Chartership Officer.

Your Supporter should have current, first-hand knowledge of your professional experience over the last three years.

If your Supporter does not meet both criteria, please provide a second Supporter so that both criteria are covered. Although the Society does not hold a formal list of Mentors, our LinkedIn Mentors group will help you to make contacts who can support you. Regional Groups are also a great place to seek out a Supporter for your application as well as providing opportunities for CPD through their events.

Things to consider

Remember that validation as a Chartered Geologist or Chartered Scientist is based on your geological or scientific competencies, and not on your ability to do your job.

Your Supporter should be more than just a referee. They should be able to advise you on the preparation and focus of your application. Therefore, involve your Supporter early and discuss your application with them.

Your Supporter's statement will address each of the competency criteria, and you should ensure they have seen the entire application prior to submission.

Most of us benefit from having someone with whom we can discuss our aims, plans and problems. A mentor can offer:

• A different perspective
• Challenges based on experience
• Encouragement
• Help getting motivated when going through a tough patch
• Help with setting goals and defining how to achieve them

Fellows who have used a mentor in the past have found that the relationship has:

• Enhanced their training and career development
• Significantly influenced their attitudes and professional outlook
• Guided them round major procedural obstacles and pitfalls
• Improved their results by challenging their assumptions
• Enhanced their likelihood of a successful Chartership Application

How to acquire a Mentor

• Seek mentoring advice from a senior work colleague. If your employer already has a GSL Accredited Training Plan, they will have a mentor assigned to work with employees
• Join a Geological Society Regional Group as well as the Early Career Network and seek help from other CGeol and CSci members; as well as opportunities for CPD through their events
• Join the Chartership Mentor Group on LinkedIn and seek help from existing members

To find out more about Chartership, please join us at one of the events scheduled this year. These events are workshops which outline the benefits of obtaining professional membership with the Geological Society and the required competencies. The process for achieving Chartership is also explained and plenty of time is set aside for any questions regarding your own application.

The drop-in sessions are intended for those who are about to submit their application and are scheduled a few weeks before the next submission deadline, to ask any final questions on their application documents.

Our events are interactive and are therefore not recorded.

If your organisation has a number of staff looking to work towards Chartership in the next 12-18 months, we welcome enquiries to provide you with an online Chartership Q&A event. Please email chartership@geolsoc.org.uk for more details.

Don't forget to join the Chartership Mentor Group on LinkedIn to help you find a mentor, ask questions, and to get advice on the Chartership process and your application. We also recommend joining our Early Career Network if you are in the first ten years of your geoscience career for other networking and mentor opportunities, and make use of your Regional Group for further support and advice.

20+ years' professional experience route

The Society recognises that Fellows with more than 20 years of professional experience may find it more difficult to produce detailed documentary evidence of their early professional work.

That's why there is a '20+ years' route to Chartership which includes different documentation to make it easier for you to complete your application. Instead of a professional report, you can fill out a 'career account'.

Master's level equivalence

If you do not hold a Master's level degree, you must submit a 'Master's Level Equivalence Report' (MLER).

Retrospective award of Chartership

Those gaining Chartered Geologist status can be awarded Chartered Scientist status retrospectively up to a period of two years without the need of a further interview.