Professional Registration

The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) has been awarded Licensed Body Status by the Science Council, therefore members of RCPod can apply to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci), a Registered Scientist (RSci) or a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

What is professional registration?

Professional registration represents a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognising high levels of professionalism and competence in science. There are currently over 13,000 Chartered Scientists, Registered Scientists and Registered Science Technicians working in a vast array of settings and across all scientific and related sectors. The professionally registered practitioner is amongst an array of chartered professionals who will have gained a specific level of skill or competence in a particular field of work, which has been recognised by the award of a formal credential mainly by chartered professional bodies and learned societies.

The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) has been awarded Licensed Body Status by the Science Council, therefore members of RCPod can apply to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci), a Registered Scientist (RSci) or a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

In the video below, the Science Council explains how it promotes the professional practice of science and the professional values that unite practising scientists.  Professional registration acknowledges skills, not just qualifications.

This is your opportunity to be recognised for your expertise and the contribution you make to the practise of podiatry.

Why?

Being chartered is the mark of professional recognition. Being a Chartered Scientist, Registered Scientist or Registered Science Technician allows all scientists working at the full professional level to be recognised on an equal footing.

It gives an assurance of current competence through mandatory revalidation, and encapsulates the interdisciplinary nature of science in the 21st Century.

By benchmarking professional scientists at the same high level, professional registration aims to re-engage public trust and confidence in science and scientists.

Who?

All those working in the practice, application, advancement or teaching of science can become professionally registered with the appropriate combination of qualifications and experience.

Chartered Scientists, Registered Scientists and Registered Science Technicians work in an ever growing, diversity of settings, from food science to environmental waste management, health psychology to nuclear physics, and mathematical modelling to chemical engineering.

What? 

Applicants must demonstrate various competencies including the ability to deal with complex issues and communicate their conclusions to a range of audiences.

They show originality in problem solving and substantial autonomy in planning and implementing tasks

Through a commitment to continuing professional development, professionally registered members will continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and competence throughout their career.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CPD comprises learning activities that you undertake to gain knowledge and experience in order to help you in your professional career as a podiatrist. Thus, CPD is ADDITIONAL to the normal duties of your day-to-day employment. For example, training days, professional mentoring of colleagues or others, attendance at conferences, etc. are clearly CPD activities.

The Science Council require that professionally registered individuals demonstrate their commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within their careers.

The Royal College of Podiatry satisfies this requirement on behalf of the Science Council by requiring that its professionally registered members complete an annual CPD return specific to their professional registration.

Find out how to apply for professional registration

For information on the Science Council, please visit their website: https://sciencecouncil.org/