Membership Upgrades

Professional Track Membership may be upgraded at any time. The Member wishing to upgrade should write to OTHM’s Head Office supplying supporting evidence – for example, employer’s references – to confirm the amount of relevant industrial experience that the Member now has. (see Membership Overview for requirements for different membership levels). The matter will then be considered by the OTHM Membership Board and the Member will be informed of the Board's decision in due course. No fee will be charged.

Should the application to upgrade membership be successful, the new relevant membership fee will be charged next time the membership becomes due for renewal.

Examination Track Membership Upgrades

Members who are following the OTHM Examination Track may apply to upgrade their membership status as they proceed through the different OTHM qualification levels. Applications to upgrade membership should initially be in the form of a letter addressed to the Chairman of the OTHM Membership Board in the United Kingdom.

Typically, a member following OTHM’s examination track will begin as a Student Member. Once the Student Member has passed the OTHM Diploma qualification he or she may apply to upgrade his or her membership to Associate Member status but only if the Member is able to supply evidence that he or she has 6 months relevant industrial experience. This work may be in the form of part-time work done whilst studying. The Student Member must indicate how many hours of work they have done in support of his or her application.

Similarly, an Associate Member who passes the OTHM Higher Diploma may apply to upgrade their membership to Full Member status if he or she is able to supply evidence that he or she has one year’s relevant industrial experience – that is, six months experience since obtaining Associate Member status. This work may be in the form of part-time work done while studying. The Associate Member must indicate how many hours of work they have done in support of his or her application.

If a Member is permitted to join the OTHM examination track at the Higher Diploma level without having completed the OTHM Diploma, he or she will have Student Membership status. Once the member has passed the OTHM Higher Diploma he or she may apply to upgrade his or her membership to Full Member status but only if he or she is able to supply evidence that he or she has one year’s relevant industrial experience. This work may be in the form of part-time work done whilst studying. The Student Member must indicate how many hours of work they have done in support of his or her application.