Find Your IIESMS Membership Grade
Use this guide to identify the likely IIESMS grade you can evidence through completed qualifications, experience, sector work and CPD commitment.
How to use this guide
This is a practical self-check before applying. It does not award a grade; the Membership Committee confirms the grade after reviewing the evidence supplied with your application.
Work through the three questions below. Base your answer on completed qualifications, relevant experience, sector evidence and CPD commitment that you can document now.
If your work spans disciplines, choose the core grade that fits your evidence and use the application to explain your sector or regional engagement preference.
Question 1: What is your highest relevant qualification?
Currently studying at NFQ Level 5 or above, with no completed higher award yet - Student member (EUR 30/year). No post-nominal. No experience required.
No formal qualification but working in the field - Associate Member, A.IIESMS (EUR 150/year). Open entry, 15 hours CPD annually.
NFQ Level 6 (Higher Certificate, Advanced Certificate) - Technician, T.IIESMS (EUR 195/year). 20 hours CPD annually.
NFQ Level 7 (Ordinary Degree, BEng Ordinary) - Graduate Member, G.IIESMS (EUR 220/year) with 2 years of experience. Or a discipline-specific grade (see Question 2).
NFQ Level 8 (Honours Degree, BEng Honours, HDip) - Member, M.IIESMS (EUR 275/year) with 3 years of experience. Or a certified discipline-specific grade (see Question 2).
NFQ Level 9 (Masters, Postgraduate Diploma) - you may be eligible for Fellow, F.IIESMS (EUR 325/year) with 5 years of senior experience. If a qualification is still in progress, list it on your application; the assessed grade is normally based on completed awards and evidenced experience unless the Membership Committee confirms equivalence.
Question 2: Do you work in a specific discipline?
If your work falls within one of these four specialist disciplines, you may apply for a discipline-specific certified grade:
Fire Safety - Fire Engineer, FEng.IIESMS (NFQ 7, 2 years) or Certified Fire Engineer, CFEng.IIESMS (NFQ 8, 4 years). EUR 295/year.
Industrial Engineering - Industrial Engineer, IndEng.IIESMS (NFQ 7, 2 years) or Certified Industrial Engineer, CIndEng.IIESMS (NFQ 8, 4 years). EUR 295/year.
Facilities Management - Maintenance Engineer, MaintEng.IIESMS (NFQ 7, 2 years) or Certified Maintenance Engineer, CMaintEng.IIESMS (NFQ 8, 4 years). EUR 295/year.
Safety and Health - Practitioner, PSH.IIESMS (NFQ 7, 2 years) or Certified Practitioner, CPSH.IIESMS (NFQ 8, 4 years). EUR 295/year.
If your work is in Healthcare or spans multiple disciplines, apply for the core grade that matches your completed qualification and experience. You may also choose a relevant certified discipline if your evidence fits that discipline's criteria.
Question 3: How many years of relevant experience do you have?
Currently studying, with no relevant professional experience yet - Student (EUR 30/year)
Working in the field with no completed NFQ award - Associate Member, A.IIESMS (EUR 150/year)
2 years with NFQ Level 7 - Graduate Member (EUR 220/year) or discipline-specific grade (EUR 295/year)
3 years with NFQ Level 8 - Member (EUR 275/year) or certified discipline-specific grade (EUR 295/year)
4 years with NFQ Level 8 in a specific discipline - Certified grade (EUR 295/year)
5+ years in a senior role with NFQ Level 9 - Fellow (EUR 325/year)
Grade Progression Pathway
You do not need to progress through every grade. Apply directly for the grade that matches your current qualifications.
Student
Currently enrolled at NFQ Level 5+. No experience required. EUR 30/year.
Associate (A.IIESMS)
Open entry. EUR 150/year. 15 hours CPD.
Technician (T.IIESMS)
NFQ Level 6. EUR 195/year. 20 hours CPD.
Graduate (G.IIESMS)
NFQ Level 7 + 2 years. EUR 220/year. 25 hours CPD.
Member (M.IIESMS)
NFQ Level 8 + 3 years. EUR 275/year. 30 hours CPD.
Fellow (F.IIESMS)
NFQ Level 9 or nomination + 5 years senior. EUR 325/year. 30 hours CPD.
Ready to apply?
Use your likely grade as a guide, then complete the membership application with your CV, completed qualification evidence and professional experience details.
Related Pages and Articles
Useful next steps connected to this page.
Membership Grades
Review the full grade list, fees, post-nominals and professional review routes.
Choosing Your Grade
Use the article guide alongside this page when preparing your application evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing your IIESMS membership grade
Yes. You do not need to start as a Student and work up. Apply for the grade that matches your completed qualifications and evidenced experience. Include qualifications in progress as supporting information, but do not count them as completed awards.
International qualifications are considered where equivalence to the stated NFQ level can be demonstrated. Provide certificates, transcripts and any available equivalence information with the application.
Core grades are open across all disciplines. Certified grades are discipline-specific and require both a relevant qualification and sector experience, plus a professional review.
Apply through the professional review process as you gain qualifications and experience. No requirement to progress through every intermediate grade.
Yes. Retired Associate Members pay EUR 75 per year.