Becoming a Member of the RSES
Join a Recognised Community of Security Professionals
Admission to the Register
To be accepted into the Register you must satisfy the competence requirements set out in the guidance document here. In brief, these are:
- Demonstrate an appropriate level of security knowledge, whether general or specialist, and either by academic achievement or via experiential learning to an equivalent level. Applications at Principal Grade require a Level 7 qualification (Master’s degree), Member level applications require a Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree).
- Have sufficient practical experience in the application of this knowledge. Some categories of membership allow both broad and specific “areas of expertise” to be proposed and recognised in the application process.
- Hold, or demonstrate experience of, a post with leadership responsibility and accountability.
- Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills in English at a professional level.
- Undertake to always act in a professional manner; maintaining currency of knowledge relevant to their role (including legislation and regulation),understanding limitations of their knowledge and expertise, and acting for the good of the security profession.
The process for applying to be admitted to the Register is administered by the Institution of Civil Engineers. Applicants who specialise in providing counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness advice to venues and events should apply to join the General Security Advisor (GSA) category. Work is underway to develop a suite of descriptors that GSAs will be able to use to communicate their area(s) of practice.
Candidates who already hold a Chartership from an appropriate awarding body may use this to demonstrate elements of competence. Those without the appropriate academic qualifications should demonstrate knowledge and expertise to an equivalent level via their application submissions.
All candidates submit a written application and are interviewed by a review panel of peers.
Eligibility Criteria – Technician
Academic Base Relevant HNC or equivalent
Generic competence Technician or equivalent
Indicative experience Necessary and sufficient experience on relevant work at EngTech level of responsibility or equivalent
Specific competencies Technician or equivalent RSES Guidance Document
Eligibility Criteria – Ordinary Member
Academic Base Relevant BSc or equivalent
Generic competence Incorporated or equivalent
Indicative experience Necessary and sufficient experience at IEng level of responsibility or equivalent in relevant discipline
Specific competencies Incorporated or equivalent RSES Guidance Document
Eligibility Criteria – Principal
Academic Base Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent
Generic competence Chartered or equivalent
Indicative experience Necessary and sufficient experience on relevant work at CEng level of responsibility or equivalent in relevant discipline
Specific competencies Chartered or equivalent RSES Guidance Document