Associate membership is divided into three sub-categories, each corresponding to primary areas of conservation practice

1. Evaluation typically represents skills sets associated with the activities of historians, archaeologists, historic buildings inspectors and advisers, some surveyors and others involved in determining the nature and cultural values of the built and historic environment

Accreditation as an IHBC Associate in ‘Evaluation’ means that you should describe yourself as an ‘IHBC Associate, accredited in conservation practice that evaluates change in the built and historic environment’.

2. Management, typically for planners, conservation officers, some project managers and building preservation trust officers and heritage site and city managers, and others involved in managing change in the built and historic environment

Accreditation as an IHBC Associate in ‘Management’ means that you may describe yourself as an ‘IHBC Associate, accredited in conservation practice that manages change in the built and historic environment’.

3. Intervention, typically for architects, engineers, urban design and regeneration specialists, as well as some developers, crafts and trades people, contractors, project managers and building preservation trust officers, and others involved in work that generates change in the built and historic environment

Accreditation as an IHBC Associate in ‘Intervention’ means that you should describe yourself as an ‘IHBC Associate, accredited in conservation practice that generates change in the built and historic environment’.

Stipulations: Associates
Accreditation as an Associate invariably is specific to the individual’s generic area of practice. It is represented by the sub-category of Associate membership and, by using the statements above, should always be explicit in any profiles or notices relating to your accreditation by the IHBC.

As accreditation as an Associate is specific to an area of practice, it is distinct from the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary accreditation represented by full membership of the IHBC, as discussed below.

All Associates are listed on the IHBC’s online and publicly accessible ‘database of IHBC accredited conservation practitioners’, which also details the Associate sub-category as described below. This serves as part of the regulatory infrastructure for monitoring practice.

All Associates are required to carry out at least 50 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) over any two years. Such CPD must be in line with the IHBC’s guidance IHBC CPD page.

Associates are not permitted to serve in the role of ‘Designated Service Adviser’ on the IHBC’s ‘HESPR’ scheme, our listing of business and organisations that work to the IHBC’s conservation and service standards.

Associates may apply for accreditation as a Full Member of the IHBC where they have EITHER five years of relevant experience OR two years of relevant experience alongside successful completion of a conservation course recognised by the IHBC.

Accreditation as an Associate must be renewed every five years. However, without prejudice to existing Associate status, submissions for full membership or renewal may be made at any time during the five-year period by using the full membership application form. There is no charge for this service.