Continuing Professional Development (CPD) & Chartered Marketer Status

The upper echelon of the marketing sector is Chartered Marketer status, something which can only be achieved via the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) via membership and continued professional development (CPD). Achieving this demonstrates your unrivalled knowledge and skills in marketing to peers, colleagues and employers/potential employers.

Stand out from the crowd with an internationally recognised status. 

Who can become a Chartered Marketer?

The pathway to becoming a Chartered Marketer is now more accessible than ever. You can accomplish this prestigious status at Associate (ACIM) as well as Member (MCIM) or Fellow (FCIM) membership grade with the CIM. 

You must also complete 2 consecutive years of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) logged through the CIM app, and pass the Chartered assessment. 

Associate (ACIM): To become an ACIM member you must have 3 years' experience reporting to marketing management or a CIM Level 6 or Level 7 qualification or equivalent qualification

Member (MCIM): To achieve MCIM status you must hold a CIM Level 6 Marketing Qualification or higher and/or five to ten years of relevant experience, preferably at a senior strategic level. You will need to submit evidence of this to the CIM when applying for membership. 

Fellow: (FCIM): To achieve FCIM you will most likely be working in a directorial/consultancy position and have between 10 - 15 years of relevant experience, you will need to evidence this experience to a great degree with the CIM.  

How can I become a Chartered Marketer?

Once you have achieved the appropriate membership level you will be able to couple this with the CIM CPD Programme to work towards Chartered Marketer status over a mandatory 2 year period.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

CPD is a way to keep up to date with current marketing practices and ensures you are always bettering yourself as a marketing professional. It's relevant throughout your career at all levels, whether you're just starting out or are an experienced marketer. You need to gain 35 CPD credits across each year; these can include:

Self-directed learning: e.g. general reading, research and informal networking (social media contribution, blogging)

Practice-based learning: e.g. on the job training, work shadowing, projects outside scope of role

Professional activity: e.g. job promotion, professional journals, attending exhibitions

Formal learning: e.g. qualifications*, training, eLearning

FCIM and MCIM members must complete four reflective statements aligned with the Professional Marketing Competencies framework during each CPD year. 

*Completing the following qualifications will count towards Charted Marketer Status (coupled with Membership and CPD):

CIM Marketing Leadership Programme

  • Students who commence the new level 7 Marketing Leadership Programme at either MCIM or FCIM grade of membership may use their studies towards the CPD requirements of achieving Chartered Marketer status. If they record two consecutive years of CPD and complete the qualification in full, the final step for achieving Chartered status – the online assessment – will be waived.

CIM Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing

  • The CIM Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing will count towards CPD and demonstrate a high level strategic marketing understanding on completion which can be submitted as part of your evidence for higher level membership as well as CPD.  

Additional qualifications

The qualifications below are eligible for earning you 35 hours towards your CPD.

CPD and Private Study

In addition to your study reading, we encourage all our students to do private study and reading to expand your knowledge and performance. We are continually developing a range of resources which are accessible through the online members area, and we will keep you updated when additional resources are added.

For further information about how Professional Academy can help you achieve Chartered Marketer status or gain CPD hours please contact us.

You can register for the CPD programme and find further information on eligible activities on the CIM website.

Why not download our CIM marketing prospectus today?

If you are unable to download a prospectus using this form, please contact one of the team either via the webchat, by emailing enquiries@professionalacademy.com, or by calling 01223 365 505, and a qualifications adviser will send you a prospectus.