Certified membership launched by BIFM

15 October 2009

BIFM has announced a streamlined membership structure that recognizes academic achievement and formally recognises the BIFM's professionally qualified members. The changes start in January 2010.

The BIFM has overhauled its membership structure, introducing a new grade of Certified Member, denoted by the post-nominals CBIFM that replaces the BIFM (Qual). These changes are the culmination of a two year development programme which has resulted in a new membership structure aligned to the new qualifications.
The new grade structure and the launch of a complete new suite of FM qualifications in January 2010 are major components of BIFM's mission to advance the profession in response to calls for clarity and transparency from the BIFM's membership, employers and tuition providers. The changes map entry requirements alongside academic achievement and recognise formally the Institute’s professionally qualified members.
The new qualifications at levels 4, 5 and 6 have been approved by Asset Skills, the sector skills council for FM, and are due to be accredited onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework later this year. BIFM is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by Ofqual. Members who previously held the BIFM(Qual) grade have automatically been transferred to the new Certified grade and can use the post nominals CBIFM.
From January 2010, BIFM will, therefore, have five grades of membership: Associate, Member, Certified, Fellow and Honorary Fellow. Those who hold the current Member grade will retain this but the Institute hopes that many will aspire to the new Certified grade. The new Certified grade can be gained only through qualification, in one of four ways:
 Achievement of the current BIFM Part II examination
 Award of the new BIFM Level 6 Diploma in Facilities Management
 Completion of a BIFM accredited higher education course at level 6 and above
 Award of an exempting qualification*
All applicants for CBIFM will also need to demonstrate three years experience in facilities management, including two at middle management level. They will also need to provide additional information, including a Personal Statement, current job description and reflective CPD record.
From January 2010 you can join at Member grade through the non-academic route, although you will be required to demonstrate considerably more experience than is needed for the academic routes to membership. Alternatively, if you do not yet have the requisite number of years experience required for Member grade, you can apply for Associate grade.
A summary table of the entry requirements for all grades is on the BIFM website - see http://www.bifm.org.uk/bifm/membership/individualmembership/newgrades . Detailed entry requirements will be available later this year.
Entry to Member grade is available to both academic and non-academic applicants. For the academic route, achievement of either the new BIFM Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Facilities Management will fulfil the qualification entry requirement. For the non-academic route, the Institute has retained an experiential option which requires applicants to have a greater number of years experience than is required of academic entrants. These applicants will also need to demonstrate their experience across the BIFM's revised competences.
A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is at http://www.bifm.org.uk/bifm/membership/individualmembership/newgradesfaqs