About Chartered Scientist status
Chartered Scientist is a mark of achievement in science and its use seeks to promote public confidence in scientists by assurance of a common high standard of education, training and continued competence through the designation of Chartered Scientist (CSci).
In October 2003, the designation Chartered Scientist was added to the now familiar list of chartered professions: biologist, accountant, surveyor and so on.
'Chartered' is an internationally recognized benchmark of quality and excellence and it will do much to improve the profile of science and scientists. Although not all mineral scientists will wish to achieve the level of qualification necessary to earn the title, its existence confers chartered standing on the profession as a whole. Chartered status will become the cornerstone of the Society's professional qualification framework and is a prestigious achievement for ambitious professionals in mineral science (sensu lato).
The designation Chartered Scientist has been made possible by a Royal Charter issued to The Science Council on 14 October 2003.
The Science Council cannot confer Chartered Scientist status on individuals directly but only through professional member bodies that have been awarded a license. The term for such a member organization is Licensed Member Body, and as such it can charter individual members who meet the criteria.
The criteria for a Licensed Member Body have been laid down by The Science Council, as follows:
- The body is a member of The Science Council.
- The body has at least one membership standard at graduate level.
- The member body has a minimum of five years' experience administering that standard.
- Members holding the above standard are bound by a Code of professional conduct and the licensed body has disciplinary procedures.
- The member body is able to monitor the professional development of its members.
- The member body will be required to show that it has the necessary procedures in place in order to meet the standards required to become a licensed body.
The Mineralogical Society meets these criteria and was awarded Licensed Body Status on 12 April 2011.
The Science Council currently has more than 30 member bodies, 21 of which have been awarded a license.