Professional Marine Registration – FAQs

Registration Home | Candidate Handbook | Competency Standards | Marine Technologist | Marine Scientist | FAQs | CPD Requirements

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the term Registration mean?

What is the Marine Technologist Register?

What is the Marine Science Register?

What are the benefits of Registration?

What is the cost to apply for Registration?

What level of Education is required to apply for Registration?

What areas of competence are assessed?

What is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement?

What is the application process?

How do I prepare for my Professional Review Interview (PRI)?

Is Registration recognised by any professional body?

Is Registration required by any professional body?

Where can I find more information about the Marine Technology Registration Program?

Where can I find more information about the Marine Scientist Registration Program?

---

What does the term Registration mean?

Registration is a certification. The Chartered Marine Technologist, Registered Marine Technologist, and Marine Technician programs were founded in the United Kingdom and the language used to designate professional certification in the UK is registration. Your registration gives you a certification that is respected throughout the globe. SUT and MTS use the terms registration and certification interchangeably.

What is the Marine Technologist Register?

The Chartered Marine Technologist (CMarTech), Registered Marine Technologist (RMarTech), and Marine Technician (MarTech) are registered by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology (IMarEST), which has a Royal Charter from the United Kingdom, to award suitably qualified and experienced applicants Marine Technologist Registries. CMarTech, RMarTech, and MarTech are professionals, who harness, exploit, manage, use or apply marine technology in the pursuit of wealth creation and/or the provision of services in the marine sector. They are characterised by their ability to deal with complex issues, both systematically and creatively, and can make sound judgments in the absence of complete data to develop solutions to problems and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

In 2020, the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) and the Marine Technology Society (MTS) entered into a pilot program to offer the Chartered Marine Technologist (CMarTech) credential, in an effort to provide members with an opportunity to advance their professional profile through credentialing. Beginning in May 2021, all SUT and MTS members will have the opportunity to apply to the Marine Technologist Register through your own professional society.

The application process requires candidates to demonstrate competency in sixteen core areas, including:

• Specialist knowledge,
• Theoretical and practical methods of analysis,
• Technical and commercial leadership,
• Interpersonal skills, and
• A commitment to professional standards and obligations to the profession and the environment.

Candidates’ credentials and experience are scrutinized by at least three experts in Marine Technology in a rigorous vetting process. Only the most highly qualified and experienced candidates are invited to join the elite group of Marine Technologists.

Typically, Marine Technologists will be professionals from disciplines such as: Fleet Managers, Hydrographers, Marine Superintendents (Deck), Meteorologists, Pilots, Marine Logisticians, Deck Officers and Ratings, Marine Surveyors, Shipping Professionals, Harbormasters, University faculty, Navigators, Radar/Sonar Maintenance Experts, ROV Developers and Pilots, Warfare Officers and Ratings and Naval Officers and Ratings, Instrumentation and Platform Designers and Developers.

Applicants seeking professional registration will need to demonstrate through their professional education/training and experience in roles directly related to the use or management of marine technology that they are eligible for Registration.

What is the Marine Science Register?

The Chartered Marine Scientist (CMarSci) and Registered Marine Scientist (RMarSci) are registered by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science, and Technology (IMarEST), which has a Royal Charter from the United Kingdom, to award suitably qualified and experienced applicants Marine Scientist Registration (certification). CMarSci and RMarSci are professional scientists, who harness, exploit, manage, use or apply marine science in the pursuit of knowledge, understanding of the marine environment, wealth creation and/or the provision of services in the marine sector. They demonstrate effective leadership, using their specialist knowledge and broader scientific understanding to develop and improve the application of science and technology by scoping, planning, and managing multifaceted projects. CMarSci and RMarSci reflect the wide variety of sciences and their practice, recognizing high levels of skill and experience, independent of discipline.

In 2020, the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) entered into a pilot program to offer the Chartered Marine Technologist (CMarTech) credential, in an effort to provide members with an opportunity to advance their professional profile through credentialing. Beginning in June 2021, MTS and SUT have been licensed by the IMarEST to offer the Marine Technologist and Marine Scientist certification program. The Marine Scientist Certification launched in January 2022.

The application process requires candidates to demonstrate competency in sixteen core areas, including:

• Specialist knowledge,
• Theoretical and practical methods of analysis,
• Technical and commercial leadership,
• Interpersonal skills, and
• A commitment to professional standards and obligations to the profession and the environment.

Candidates’ credentials and experience are scrutinized by at least three experts in Marine Science in a rigorous vetting process. Only the most highly qualified and experienced candidates are invited to join the elite group of Marine Scientists.

Typically, Marine Scientists will be professionals from disciplines such as:

commercial shipping, defense and naval engineering, coast and ocean mapping & hydrography, coastal & shelf seas, marine law, governance, and regulation, oceanography climatology & marine meteorology, underwater technology & operations, publishing/media, societies, associations, and NGOs, ship design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning, marine engineering systems and equipment, navigation & communication, fishing, aquaculture, and biotechnology, marine renewables, natural hazards, marine leisure, ports and harbors, power & propulsion, marine environment & pollution, marine finance, insurance, and risk, marine safety, and security, offshore oil & gas, education & training, research & consulting, artificial intelligence, cyber safety and security, and other areas of marine science.

Applicants seeking professional certification will need to demonstrate through their professional education/training and experience in roles directly related to the use or management of marine science that they are eligible for certification.

What are the benefits of Registration?

Registration has many benefits for individuals, employers, and the public as a whole. Registry ensures high and improving standards across all technological disciplines; it reflects best practice and is set at an internationally recognised benchmark level. Registry encompasses high-caliber professionals in the practice, research, application, and teaching of technology, and recognizes the increasing focus on trans-disciplinarity for the future of science, engineering, and technology. Furthermore, Registration provides employers with additional assurance of the quality of their workforce. It is of benefit to:

Society, which will be more confident in the competence of an individual and need no longer be confused by a platform of letters and descriptions.

Individual practitioners, by identification as a professional that sets them at the forefront of their profession and offers a passport to job mobility.

Employers, with confirmation, through the designation, of the quality of a job applicant’s qualifications.

Government offices, seeking to hire or appoint permanent staff, advisers, or consultants would have an assurance about the level of an individual’s expertise.

Professional societies and organisations, by providing – through the new designation – additional opportunities to benchmark their qualifications.

Higher education, which will be better able to set and monitor benchmarks for their technology courses, and to promote programs of study to meet the high standards required of Registration.

Regulatory Authorities, who could be confident in specifying the designation in legislation and regulations.

Legal credibility, enabling expert witness participation at a defined standard.

Professional standing, recognising equality of excellence across the technology professions.

What is the cost to apply for Registration?

Fees are set by IMarEST, are published on the SUT and MTS websites, and are subject to change. Fees are payable in GBP to SUT and in US dollars to MTS and may be submitted by credit card at the time of application, or you may request an invoice. Note that all fees submitted via the MTS website are collected in US Dollars. Currency exchange fees may apply. Applicants may not receive a scheduling request for the PRI and may not receive a final determination from the Professional Review Interview until all fees have been paid. Note that successful applicants must remain a member in good standing with the Marine Technology Society or the Society for Underwater Technology and pay an annual registration fee to remain registered. In addition to the annual membership fee, the application fees are as follows:

*please note that exchange rates may vary

Annual Registration Fees – Members of the Professional Register will be billed annually to remain on the Register. Annual fees are listed below. The program year runs from 1st October to 30th September. We will collect the annual fee each year prior to 30th September.

Professional Registration	Annual Fee	Annual Fee (Retired)
CMarSci, CMarTech	£71* /$96 *	£39 / $52
RMarSci, RMarTech	£65 /$88	£35 /$48
MarTech	£50 /$68	£29 /$39

*please note that exchange rates may vary   

What level of Education is required to apply for Registration?

Chartered Marine Technologist & Chartered Marine Scientist

Normally, formal education is an essential prerequisite for registration as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Chartered Marine Technologist or Chartered Marine Scientist Certification:

An accredited Master’s degree
or
An accredited Bachelor’s degree, plus either an appropriate accredited Master’s degree or appropriate further learning to Master’s level.

If an accredited Master’s level qualification is not presented, it is possible to demonstrate Master’s level achievement through a combination of academic awards and/or appropriate experiential learning. Candidates applying through this route must clearly demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding, as those with the accredited qualifications. For example, a Bachelor’s qualification supported by appropriate professional experience may be sufficient to demonstrate a Master’s level knowledge.

Registered Marine Technologist & Registered Marine Scientist

Normally, formal education is an essential prerequisite for registration, as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Registered Marine Technologist or Registered Marine Scientist certification:

An accredited Bachelor’s degree
or
A Higher National Certificate or Diploma or Foundation Degree, plus appropriate further learning to degree level.
or
An NVQ4 or SVQ4

If an accredited Bachelor’s ordinary degree-level qualification is not present, it is possible to demonstrate Bachelor’s level achievement through a combination of academic awards and/or appropriate experiential learning. Candidates applying through this route must clearly demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with the accredited qualifications. For example, an HND (or other Associate’s level or Vocational training) qualification supported by appropriate professional experience may be sufficient to demonstrate a Bachelor level knowledge.

Marine Technician

Normally, formal education is a prerequisite for registration, as it demonstrates the underpinning knowledge and understanding for professional competence. The following qualifications exemplify the required knowledge and understanding for Marine Technician registration.

Standard Route

Integrated training and experience such as is provided by many Advanced Apprenticeships can provide most, or all, of the knowledge and experience necessary, and may lead directly to Marine Technician registration. Other qualifications can provide a straightforward way of demonstrating that part of the necessary competence has been acquired. The following are examples of qualifications that an applicant for Marine Technician registration might hold:

• An approved National Certificate (UK), Certificate (US), National Diploma (UK), or Diploma (US)
• An approved qualification at level 6 in the Scottish Qualifications and Credit Framework
• A City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma (UK)
• A technical certificate as part of an Advanced Apprenticeship Program
• An NVQ3 or SVQ3
• A work-based learning route
• Qualifications in similar areas providing they are assessed as equivalent by SUT or MTS
• An accredited Associate’s Degree program.

Qualifications at this level are subject to change as a result of policy developments. Please consult SUT or MTS for details of any changes or additions to this list.

Individual Route

Many potential professional Marine Technicians will not have had the advantage of formal training and will need to demonstrate they have acquired the necessary competencies through extended experience, some of this supervised. Experienced, practicing professional Marine Technicians are often found to have gained the necessary knowledge and skills for their job through working closely with other skilled colleagues over a number of years. Thus, individuals without the types of qualifications listed above may apply for an Individual Route assessment. This separate procedure, administered by SUT and MTS, involves an in-depth appraisal of the applicant’s competence. Evidence of employer recognition of competencies and relevant skills will assist in achieving registration. SUT or MTS may be able to provide a mentor to help applicants to address any gaps in their training and experience portfolio.

If one of these approved qualifications is not offered, it is possible to demonstrate the appropriate level of achievement through a combination of academic awards and/or appropriate experiential learning. Candidates applying through this route must clearly demonstrate that they have achieved the same level of knowledge and understanding as those with the accredited qualifications. Candidates must respond to each of the Competency Standards with specific examples of how they have met each standard through experiential learning. Candidates should be careful to explain what was learned from each experience.

Education Equivalency / Career Appraisal Route

If you do not possess the requisite academic credentials, but you believe your career or professional experience will merit consideration, please fill out and submit the Career Appraisal Route Form with your application.

What areas of competence are assessed?

Registration is open to everyone, who can demonstrate the required high-level knowledge, understanding, and professional competence. There are many routes that can be measured to meet this standard, including a combination of academic awards, vocational qualifications, and experiential learning through work. Competence includes the knowledge, understanding, and skills that underpin performance.

Chartered Marine Technologists are required to maintain their professional competence, work within professional codes of conduct, and participate actively within their profession. There is also a requirement for continuing professional development (CPD).

Areas of competence are detailed here in the candidate handbook.

What is the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement?

Professional development is a key part of developing the competence required to achieve the standard for Registry. Once registration has been achieved, you will have an obligation to maintain professional competence. Review guidance on CPD requirements or download the CPD form.

What is the application process?

Candidates submit applications via the SUT or MTS online portal. Applications are forwarded for documentary review to the Registrar, who verifies the application meets the minimum requirements for Registry. If the application is successful, the Candidate is forwarded for a Professional Review Interview (PRI). Only some candidates for the MarTech registry will be required to participate in the PRI; it is at the discretion of the Registrar to determine which candidates require further evaluation beyond documentary review. Candidates who pass the PRI are Registered. Note that applications require a Referee Form and signature on all credentials.

How do I prepare for my Professional Review Interview (PRI)?

The assessors will have been sent your application form, CV/professional report, and any other relevant documentation in advance. There is no need to bring these documents to the interview. However, applicants are welcome to bring further evidence of their recent work output if they wish to aid the discussion of responsibilities and competencies during the interview. Candidates will be expected to give a brief presentation offering an overview of their formative career experience, development, and current role at the start of the interview, and supporting material for this is welcome.

Any documentation brought on the day should not be too extensive but instead should support the points made in the presentation. This can either be through a brief report, a set of key slides or PowerPoint presentation slides, or a set of bullet points that draw attention to key facts and figures.

When making your presentation you will be expected to highlight key aspects of the activities in which you have been involved and identify the responsibilities that you have had, and competencies you have demonstrated as you have progressed through your career. Visual aids equipment may be provided in some circumstances. If you intend to use visual aids, please check with the assessors in advance to ensure that the appropriate equipment is available.

The assessors will occasionally request clarification during the presentation; however, they will try not to interrupt too frequently. Following the presentation (which should last 10-15 minutes) the assessors will move on from your presentation to wider issues, especially if you have not addressed all the areas of competence and commitment in your written report. The assessors must be satisfied that evidence for all competency areas has been provided, so when preparing for the interview it is prudent to consider which examples you can offer for each competency area. You will be asked both objective and subjective questions and be challenged to defend points of view. This provides direct evidence of communication skills and the ability to work with others as well as eliciting technical and scientific knowledge and reflection upon professional ethics.

At the end of the interview, you will be invited to ask any questions and make any further relevant comments. The recommendation of your Assessors will be forwarded to the Registration Panel, which will make the final decision on the disposition of your application.

Is Registration recognised by any professional body?

Registration offers international recognition for your skills, qualifications, and experience by identifying that you possess key competencies that employers value and that you meet the core standards for marine professionals worldwide. Registration is recognized by IMarEST, SUT, and MTS.

Is Registration required by any professional body?

Currently, no professional body requires Registration.

Where can I find more information about the Marine Technology Registration Program?

To learn more, review the Candidate Handbook online.

Where can I find more information about the Marine Scientist Registration Program?

To learn more, review the Candidate Handbook online.

---

Registration Home | Candidate Handbook | CMarTech | RMarTech | MarTech | FAQs | CPD Requirements | Apply