Professional registration

Professional registration establishes your proven knowledge, understanding and competence, and is a hallmark of excellence. We have been licensed by the Science Council to provide two different levels of registration, Registered Scientist and Chartered Scientist.

 

Chartered Scientist

Chartered Scientist is a professional registration that recognises a high level of skill and experience independent of discipline. It provides recognition for professional practice and experience and thus complements the academic qualifications you might also have. Typically professionals need to have been working for 5 years to achieve this and must either have a Masters level qualification or be able to demonstrate that they are working at this level.

Registered Scientist

Registered Scientist is a professional registration that recognises your competence on-the-job independent of discipline. It provides recognition for professional practice and experience and thus complements the academic qualifications you might also have. Typically, professionals need to have been working for 2 years to achieve this and must either have a Foundation Degree qualification or equivalent (QCF Level 5) or be able to demonstrate that they are working at this level. Individuals who have achieved Regulatory Affairs Specialist Level 7 apprenticeship certificates are eligible to apply through the shortened application route.

Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Regulatory affairs professionals need to undertake continuing professional development to ensure they remain safe and effective in daily practice. All members of TOPRA are required to 'continually improve performance and update or refresh their skills and knowledge'. For Registered Members of TOPRA, those who use the designation MTOPRA, and those professional registered as a Chartered or Registered Scientist, this should be a minimum of 50 hours per year spent on learning. Use our CPD tool to record your progress.

 

Application deadlines in 2024/2025

  • 5 December 2024
  • 2 April 2025
  • 5 June 2025
  • 2 October 2025
 

TOPRA has been approved by the Science Council as an awarding body for Registered Scientist (RSci) and Chartered Scientist (CSci).