Membership Regulation

Legal Notice

© 2026 Institute of Administrative Management. All rights reserved. This Regulation is made by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Administrative Management under Articles 55(1) and 28(1) of the Articles of Association. It may be cited, quoted, and reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial professional, educational, and research purposes, provided that the Institute is clearly acknowledged as the source and the document reference (IAM-MEM-REG-2026-001) is given. Reproduction or distribution for commercial purposes, or any modification of the text, requires the prior written permission of the Institute.

This Regulation establishes the rights, obligations, and procedures governing Professional Membership of the Institute of Administrative Management. It does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. The Institute, its officers, employees, and agents accept no liability for any loss, damage, or claim arising from the use of or reliance upon the content of this Regulation. Where matters of employment law, tax, data protection, or other regulation arise in the application of this document, members and applicants are advised to seek independent legal or professional counsel.

This Regulation is principle-based and jurisdiction-neutral. Where it refers to legal, regulatory, or compliance obligations, it does so in general terms. Members are responsible for identifying the specific laws, regulations, and standards that apply to their own role and jurisdiction, and for keeping their knowledge of those requirements up to date. Specific legislation, statutory instruments, and regulatory commencement dates are deliberately not cited in this Regulation; current legal information is provided through the Institute’s separate guidance notes, which are updated more frequently than this Regulation.

Consultation notice. This document is an Exposure Draft published for consultation. It is complete and approved for consultation by the IAM Professional Standards Committee, but it has not yet been made by the Board of Directors, is not yet in effect, and may change before the First Edition is confirmed. Comments are invited by 16 October 2026 (17:00 UK time) through the online response form at www.instam.org/standards/respond, or by email to enquiry@instam.org with the subject line “IAM-MEM-REG-2026-001 Exposure Draft response”. The First Edition is due to be published on 30 November 2026 and to take effect on 1 January 2027.

Comment is welcome on any part of the Regulation. The Committee particularly invites views on: the evidence required for admission under Regulation 3 and the Statement of Professional Experience at Schedule A; the maximum decision periods in Table 2; the three-tier fee structure in Regulation 5; and the transitional provisions in Regulation 12.5.

Accessibility: The Institute is committed to publishing this Regulation accessibly. The electronic edition is prepared to meet internationally recognised digital accessibility standards, and the document is available in alternative formats on request to membership@instam.org.

Recommended citation: Institute of Administrative Management (2026), IAM Membership Regulation, Edition 1.0, IAM-MEM-REG-2026-001, available at www.instam.org.

Document Control

Edition History

Alignment with the Professional Standards and the Code of Ethics

This Regulation operates as a single coherent framework with the IAM Professional Standards for Administrative Management (IAM-PS-2026-001) and the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001), both effective 1 January 2027. Provisions of this Regulation cited in those documents (Regulation 3, Regulation 4.9, Regulation 9, Regulation 9.6, Regulation 9.9, and Regulation 10) carry the corresponding provisions of the Standards and the Code into effect. The principal points of alignment are:

Regulation 1: Authority, Scope, and Interpretation

1.1 This Membership Regulation (“this Regulation”) is made by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Administrative Management (“the Institute” or “the IAM”) under Article 55(1) of the Articles of Association. Article 55(1) empowers the Board to make such reasonable and proper rules as it may deem necessary or expedient for the proper conduct and management of the Company. The Board also acts under its general power to manage the business of the Company under Article 28(1). In accordance with Article 55(5), no provision of this Regulation shall be inconsistent with, or shall affect or repeal anything contained in, the Articles of Association. Where any conflict arises between this Regulation and the Articles, the Articles take precedence.

1.2 This Regulation supersedes all previous membership regulations, membership rules, and membership by-laws of the Institute. Where any conflict arises between this Regulation and earlier subsidiary documents, this Regulation takes precedence.

1.3 In this Regulation:

“Affiliate” means an IAM member at the workforce-level recognition tier established under Regulation 2, open to individuals working in administrative roles who wish to be associated with the profession through the Institute without seeking assessed Professional Membership. Affiliate is a destination grade rather than a preparatory one; it does not require formal qualifications, assessment, or experience, and does not carry a post-nominal. Affiliates are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001).

“Articles” or “Articles of Association” means the Articles of Association of the Institute of Administrative Management, as registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (Companies House) and as amended from time to time.

“Associate” or “Associate (AInstAM)” means a Professional Member admitted under Regulation 3 at Stage 1 (Practitioner) of the assessed Career Stage framework, who has demonstrated the corresponding competence and is entitled to use the post-nominal AInstAM.

“Career Stage” means one of the four assessed levels of professional competence defined in the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001): Stage 1 (Practitioner), Stage 2 (Professional), Stage 3 (Strategic Professional), and Stage 4 (Strategic Leader), each aligned to a Professional Membership grade and an IAM Certified Programme.

“Certified Programme” means a structured programme of professional learning that is developed, assessed, and quality-assured by the IAM under the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001). Certified Programmes are internally regulated by the IAM under its own quality assurance framework and are not regulated by external qualifications regulators.

“Continuing Professional Development” or “CPD” means the ongoing learning, development, and reflective activity by which Professional Members at assessed grades maintain and develop the knowledge, skills, and competence required for their grade. CPD is governed by the IAM CPD Regulation (IAM-CPD-REG-2026-001) and applied uniformly across assessed grades as set out in Regulation 2.3.

“CPD Year” means the twelve-month period beginning on 1 January and ending on 31 December in each calendar year. The CPD Year is aligned with the calendar year in accordance with Regulation 6 and the IAM CPD Regulation (IAM-CPD-REG-2026-001).

“Fellow” or “Fellow (FInstAM)” means a Professional Member admitted under Regulation 3 at Stage 3 (Strategic Professional) of the assessed Career Stage framework, who has demonstrated the corresponding competence and is entitled to use the post-nominal FInstAM.

“Good Standing” means that the member’s subscription is current (fees fully paid), CPD obligations are met (where applicable), no disciplinary sanction is in effect, and the member is in compliance with the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001) and the IAM Prevention of Harassment Policy (IAM-PHP-2026-001). A member subject to a disciplinary sanction in effect is not in Good Standing.

“Honorary Fellow” means an individual on whom the Board has conferred the status of Honorary Fellow of the Institute under Regulation 4. Honorary Fellow status is not conferred through the assessed Professional Membership framework.

“IAM Membership Platform” or “Membership Platform” means the Institute’s online membership system through which applications are made, CPD is recorded, notices are given, and fees are paid, together with any successor system designated by the Board.

“Member” or “Member (MInstAM)” means a Professional Member admitted under Regulation 3 at Stage 2 (Professional) of the assessed Career Stage framework, who has demonstrated the corresponding competence and is entitled to use the post-nominal MInstAM. Where the context requires, references in this Regulation to “members” generally are references to all individuals bound by this Regulation and not to Member grade alone.

“Professional Member” means an individual admitted to one of the Professional Membership grades established by the Board under this Regulation. Professional Membership is a subscription-based professional relationship between the individual and the Institute, established under the Board’s rule-making power at Article 55(1) and the Board’s general management power at Article 28(1).

“Progression Matrix” means the reference tool set out in Section 7 of the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001), describing the competence expected at each intersection of Competency Domain and assessed Career Stage.

“Recognition of Prior Learning” or “RPL” means the process by which prior experiential or certificated learning is assessed and credited towards Professional Membership or course requirements, governed by the IAM Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (IAM-RPL-2026-001).

“Senior Fellow” or “Senior Fellow (SFInstAM)” means a Professional Member admitted at Stage 4 (Strategic Leader) under the assessed Career Stage framework set out in the IAM Professional Standards, and entitled to use the post-nominal SFInstAM.

“Statement of Professional Experience” means a written statement, in the form set out in Schedule A, given by an applicant’s current or former employer or, where Schedule A permits, by the applicant, confirming the role held, its dates, its scope, and the substance of its responsibilities against the Competency Domains of the IAM Professional Standards.

“Statutory Member” means a member of the Company admitted under Article 7 of the Articles of Association and recorded in the register of members maintained under Article 7(5). Statutory Members hold the rights and obligations prescribed by the Articles of Association and the company law applicable to the Institute, including voting rights at general meetings.

“Structured CPD” means formal, facilitated learning such as courses, webinars, conferences, workshops, and IAM Certified Programmes, as distinct from self-directed CPD, as defined in full in the IAM CPD Regulation (IAM-CPD-REG-2026-001).

“Student Member” means an individual admitted to Student Membership under Regulation 3 on evidence of current enrolment in a recognised programme of study. Student Members are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics for the duration of their enrolment.

“Subscriber” means an individual registered with the Institute for access to its content, events, and public-facing resources, without being admitted to Professional Membership. Subscribers are not members of the profession, are not subject to mandatory CPD, and are not bound by the IAM Code of Ethics in the disciplinary sense.

“The Board” means the Board of Directors of the Institute of Administrative Management.

“Working day” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday in England on which the Institute’s offices are open for business. Timeframes expressed in working days are counted in the Institute’s working days regardless of the location of the member or applicant.

1.4 Professional Membership and statutory membership of the Company are wholly distinct categories. Professional Members are not admitted under Article 7 of the Articles of Association, do not hold voting rights at general meetings of the Company, do not give the £1 guarantee under Article 3(2), and are not subject to the provisions of Articles 7, 8, 9, or 51 of the Articles of Association. The rights and obligations of Professional Members are governed exclusively by this Regulation and the other subsidiary documents made under it. Where a single individual happens to hold both Professional Membership and Statutory Membership, the rights and obligations attaching to each category operate independently.

1.5 Practical guidance on Professional Membership, including benefits, application procedures, and CPD recording, is set out in the IAM Individual Membership Guidance (IAM-IMG-2026-001) and the IAM Corporate Membership Guidance (IAM-CMG-2026-001). Those documents explain and illustrate the provisions of this Regulation; where any conflict arises, this Regulation takes precedence.

1.6 This Regulation governs individual Professional Membership and Subscriber registration. Organisational or corporate engagement with the Institute is governed separately by the IAM Corporate Membership Guidance (IAM-CMG-2026-001).

Regulation 2: Membership Grades

2.1 The Board, exercising its rule-making power under Article 55(1) of the Articles of Association, establishes the following tiers and grades. The four assessed grades correspond to the four assessed Career Stages set out in the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001): Associate to Stage 1 (Practitioner), Member to Stage 2 (Professional), Fellow to Stage 3 (Strategic Professional), and Senior Fellow to Stage 4 (Strategic Leader). Affiliate is the workforce-level recognition tier and a destination grade in its own right; it sits below the assessed framework and is not assessed against the Progression Matrix. Subscriber is a non-member registration tier outside the assessed framework. Honorary Fellow is conferred separately under Regulation 4 and is not a tier within the assessed framework.

Table 1. IAM tiers and grades

2.2 Post-nominal designations may be used only while Professional Membership is current and in Good Standing. Use of post-nominals after membership has lapsed, been suspended, or been terminated is prohibited. Student and Affiliate members may use descriptive titles only (“Student Member” and “IAM Affiliate” respectively). Subscribers are not members of the profession and may not use any IAM designation.

2.3 Structured CPD, ethics, and sustainability hours are included within (not additional to) the total annual CPD hours, which are 30 hours per year at every assessed grade as set out in Table 1 (Associate, Member, Fellow, and Senior Fellow). All assessed members shall complete a minimum of 15 hours (50 per cent) of Structured CPD, a minimum of 3 ethics hours, and a minimum of 2 sustainability hours per year as part of their annual CPD requirement. The sustainability requirement shall increase to 3 hours with effect from the CPD Year commencing 1 January 2028. The annual requirement is uniform across grades: the Institute reflects seniority not in additional hours but in the nature, complexity, and mandatory composition of the CPD undertaken, which are expected to deepen with Career Stage.

2.4 The rights and obligations attaching to any grade of Professional Membership may be varied by the Board, subject to not less than 60 calendar days’ written notice to affected members before the variation takes effect. Substantive variations (including changes to fee levels, CPD requirements, or post-nominal entitlements) shall be subject to a period of member consultation of not less than 30 calendar days.

Regulation 3: Admission Criteria

3.1 All applications for Professional Membership shall be submitted through the IAM Membership Platform or by such other means as the Board may prescribe. The Board retains discretion to refuse any application for Professional Membership, subject to Regulation 3.6. The Board may prescribe criteria for admission but shall not be obliged to accept persons who fulfil those criteria.

Subscriber Registration

3.2 Subscriber registration is open to any individual aged 18 or over who wishes to access the Institute’s content, events, and public-facing resources without seeking Professional Membership. No qualifications, experience, or assessment are required. Subscriber registration is governed by the terms of service published by the Board and does not confer any membership rights, post-nominal designations, or voting rights. Subscribers may register and cancel at any time through the IAM Membership Platform.

The Three Admission Routes

The Institute’s admission process is designed to be simple for working professionals and is completed online through the IAM Membership Platform. Each of the four assessed grades (Associate, Member, Fellow, and Senior Fellow) may be entered by any of the three parallel admission routes established in the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001):

• The Certified Programme route: completion of the IAM Certified Programme specified for the grade, together with the period of qualifying experience specified for the grade.

• The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route: structured assessment, under the IAM Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (IAM-RPL-2026-001), of prior certificated learning at the level specified for the grade, together with the period of qualifying experience specified for the grade.

• The Experience-Assessed route: qualifying experience alone, over a longer period than the Certified Programme and RPL routes require, evidenced through the applicant’s curriculum vitae and Statements of Professional Experience, for applicants who do not hold an IAM Certified Programme or accepted prior certificated learning.

The three routes are parallel and lead to the same grade. What matters is the competence the grade represents: the Certified Programme route recognises competence developed and assessed through the Institute’s own programmes; the RPL route recognises competence developed through certificated learning assessed as equivalent, together with professional practice; and the Experience-Assessed route recognises competence developed through a longer period of professional practice, evidenced through verified professional experience. In every route, applications are assessed by the Institute against the standards described in the IAM Professional Standards for Administrative Management (IAM-PS-2026-001), including the Progression Matrix descriptors and the Annex A competence descriptions for the Career Stage corresponding to the grade, on the evidence set out in this Regulation 3.

Prior Certificated Learning (RPL Route)

Prior certificated learning is accepted under the RPL route where it is assessed under the IAM Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (IAM-RPL-2026-001) as being at the level specified for the grade and in a field relevant to administrative management. Accepted fields include business administration; business or organisational management; administrative, office, or operations management; public administration; project or programme management; human resource management; finance or accounting; governance, risk, and compliance; and other cognate management or administration disciplines. Consistent with the international applicability of the IAM Professional Standards, the level required for each grade is expressed generically: Associate corresponds to higher technical or early undergraduate study; Member to a completed first degree; Fellow to postgraduate study; and Senior Fellow to advanced postgraduate or executive level. These comparisons are indicative only, are expressed generically, do not confer academic credit, and are not tied to the qualifications framework of any single country. An applicant whose prior learning does not meet the field or level requirement may instead apply through the Experience-Assessed route.

Qualifying Experience

Qualifying experience, required under all three routes, is experience gained in a role involving professional administration or administrative management. Such roles include, for example, administrative officer or coordinator; executive, personal, virtual, or team assistant; office or administrative manager; business support manager; operations manager or operations director; practice manager; facilities manager; programme or project manager; company secretary or governance officer; departmental or functional manager; and chief administrative or chief operating officer. Experience is assessed on the substance and responsibilities of the role, not on job title alone. Part-time experience is counted in proportion to full-time hours; concurrent roles are not counted twice; and experience gained as an independent practitioner, including as a virtual assistant, is assessed on the same basis as employed experience.

Evidence Required

An application for an assessed grade is decided on documentary evidence. Every applicant supplies:

• a curriculum vitae, setting out the applicant’s employment history in date order with, for each role, the employer, the job title, the dates, the reporting line, and a summary of responsibilities;

• evidence of qualifications relied on: certificates and, where the RPL route is used, transcripts, from the issuing institution, in the original language with a translation into English where required;

• evidence of completion of the IAM Certified Programme, where the Certified Programme route is used, which the Institute verifies from its own records;

• Statements of Professional Experience covering the period of qualifying experience relied on, in the form set out in Schedule A: from the employer for employed roles, and, for experience gained as an independent practitioner or where an employer no longer exists or cannot reasonably be approached, in the alternative form Schedule A permits;

• evidence of identity, verified electronically through the IAM Membership Platform.

The Institute assesses the evidence against the requirements of the route and grade and against the Progression Matrix descriptors and the Annex A competence descriptions for the corresponding Career Stage. What the Institute looks for is set out in Annex A of the IAM Professional Standards: the scope of the role, what the applicant was accountable for, and the decisions they took. A Statement of Professional Experience that confirms a title and dates but does not describe the substance of the role does not evidence competence at the grade.

Every document supplied shall be genuine and every statement accurate. The curriculum vitae and any statement made by the applicant shall be the applicant’s own work. An application containing false, altered, or misleading evidence shall be refused; where the applicant is an existing member, the submission may constitute professional misconduct under Regulation 9, consistent with Sections 2.2.3 and 5.1.2 of the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001), and the IAM Malpractice and Maladministration Policy (IAM-MMP-2026-001) applies. Practical guidance on assembling an application is set out in the IAM Individual Membership Guidance (IAM-IMG-2026-001).

Assessment by the Institute

Admission at every grade is determined by the Institute alone, on the evidence supplied by the applicant and verified by the Institute. Referees, endorsers, interviews, and panel reviews form no part of any route. The Institute assesses each application against the criteria for the route and grade, and the Institute’s assessors are trained and standardised so that the same evidence receives the same decision whoever assesses it and wherever the applicant is.

The Institute verifies evidence on a risk-based and random basis, before or after the decision, by confirming qualifications with issuing institutions and roles with employers, using the consent given at application. Verification is routine and is not an indication of doubt about any individual applicant.

Minimum Admission Criteria by Grade

Senior Fellow (SFInstAM)

• Certified Programme route: the IAM Strategic Leader Certified Programme (IAM-STL-2026-001), plus 8 years of senior-management experience including at least 3 years at board or apex-equivalent level.

• RPL route: prior certificated learning at advanced postgraduate or executive level, plus 8 years of senior-management experience including at least 3 years at board or apex-equivalent level.

• Experience-Assessed route: 15 years of senior-management experience including at least 3 years at board or apex-equivalent level.

In every route the Institute assesses the evidence against the Stage 4 descriptors of the Progression Matrix, looking for sustained strategic leadership at organisational or cross-organisational scope, demonstrable organisational impact, and a consistent record of professional and ethical conduct.

Fellow (FInstAM)

• Certified Programme route: the IAM Strategic Professional Certified Programme (IAM-STP-2026-001), plus 5 years of qualifying experience including at least 3 years in a senior role.

• RPL route: prior certificated learning at postgraduate level, plus 5 years of qualifying experience including at least 3 years in a senior role.

• Experience-Assessed route: 10 years of qualifying experience including at least 3 years in a senior role.

Member (MInstAM)

• Certified Programme route: the IAM Professional Certified Programme (IAM-PRO-2026-001), plus 2 years of qualifying experience including at least 1 year in a management or supervisory role.

• RPL route: prior certificated learning at the level of a completed first degree, plus 2 years of qualifying experience including at least 1 year in a management or supervisory role.

• Experience-Assessed route: 5 years of qualifying experience including at least 1 year in a management or supervisory role.

Associate (AInstAM)

• Certified Programme route: the IAM Practitioner Certified Programme (IAM-PRA-2026-001), plus 1 year of qualifying experience.

• RPL route: prior certificated learning at higher technical or early undergraduate level, plus 1 year of qualifying experience.

• Experience-Assessed route: 3 years of qualifying experience in a role involving professional administration or administrative management.

Affiliate

Affiliate is the destination grade for the wider administrative workforce and a recognised membership tier in its own right; it is not preparatory or transitional. It is open to individuals working in administrative roles who wish to be associated with the profession through the Institute without seeking assessed Professional Membership. Affiliate membership is open access: no formal qualifications, prior experience, or assessment are required, and admission is automatic on registration and payment through the IAM Membership Platform. Affiliates do not hold a post-nominal designation but may use the descriptive title “IAM Affiliate”. Affiliates are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001) and may be subject to disciplinary action under Regulation 9 for breach of its provisions. The IAM Essentials Foundation Programme is available to Affiliates as an optional pathway, either as preparation for upgrade to Associate or as continuing development; completion of the Programme does not in itself confer Associate grade, which requires admission under this Regulation 3.

Student

Open to individuals currently enrolled on an IAM Certified Programme or other recognised programme of study, on evidence of current enrolment. Student Members are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics for the duration of their enrolment. Student status lapses on cessation of enrolment or after five years, whichever is earlier.

Retired

Available to Senior Fellows, Fellows, and Members who have transitioned from active professional practice. A retired member may continue to use their post-nominals with the (Rtd) suffix, for example SFInstAM (Rtd), FInstAM (Rtd), or MInstAM (Rtd). Part-time work up to 16 hours per week is permitted, and a trial retirement concession is available for up to 12 months. Retired members are not required to maintain CPD but remain bound by the IAM Code of Ethics in respect of any continuing professional activity, including mentoring, advisory work, and use of post-nominals.

3.3 Applications are assessed against the requirements of the route and grade on the documentary evidence set out above. An application is complete when every item of evidence required for the route and grade has been received and the application fee has been paid. Where the Institute needs to clarify or test the evidence provided, it may request further information, and the applicant shall be given one opportunity to address any shortfall within 60 calendar days; time under Regulation 3.4 stops while the Institute is awaiting the information requested and resumes when it is received.

3.4 The Institute shall acknowledge receipt of an application within two working days and notify the applicant of the admission decision within the period set out in Table 2. The period runs from the working day after the Institute receives a complete application, stops while the Institute awaits information it has requested under Regulation 3.3 or a response from an employer or issuing institution to a verification enquiry, and is the same for every route at the grade concerned. The periods in Table 2 are maxima; the Institute aims to decide sooner.

Table 2. Maximum decision periods (working days from receipt of a complete application)

3.5 Upon admission, members shall receive a unique membership number, digital certificate, digital membership card, and access to the IAM Membership Platform. Associate, Member, Fellow, and Senior Fellow shall also receive confirmation of post-nominal entitlement, a verifiable digital badge via the IAM Badge Platform, and listing in the IAM Member Directory.

3.6 Where an applicant is refused admission, they may request a written statement of the grounds for refusal and may submit a fresh application after a period of not less than six months. This provision does not limit the Board’s discretion under Regulation 3.1. An applicant who is refused may also request a review of the decision under the IAM Appeals and Complaints Policy (IAM-APP-2026-001).

3.7 The Institute shall make reasonable adjustments to the application and assessment process for applicants with a disability or other protected need, and shall give special consideration where circumstances beyond an applicant’s control affect their application, under the IAM Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy (IAM-RASC-2026-001) and in accordance with the equality and accessibility legislation applicable in the applicant’s jurisdiction.

3.8 Applicants shall provide accurate and complete information and shall make, at the time of application, a declaration that the evidence supplied is genuine, that every statement made is true and complete, and that the applicant consents to the Institute verifying it with issuing institutions and employers. The declaration is made under the IAM Code of Ethics and binds the applicant as if they were already a member. The Institute may verify qualifications, experience, and identity with issuing institutions and employers at any time before or after the decision, and may refuse an application that contains false or misleading information. Professional Membership obtained on the basis of false or misleading information may be terminated under Regulation 9. Applicants shall declare at the time of application any matter that would be notifiable under Regulation 8.11 if they were already a member; the Board may take any such matter into account in deciding the application.

3.9 A Professional Member may apply at any time for admission to a higher grade. The application is assessed under this Regulation 3 against the criteria and route for the higher grade; the upgrade fee in Regulation 5.5 applies; and the member’s existing grade and rights continue until the decision. Where the application is refused, the member’s existing grade is unaffected.

3.10 Applicants for Affiliate membership and for assessed Professional Membership shall be aged 18 or over. Applicants for Student Membership shall be aged 16 or over.

Regulation 4: Honorary Fellow

4.1 The Board may, on its own authority and by formal resolution, confer the status of Honorary Fellow of the Institute on individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the administrative management profession, to the Institute, or to the field as a whole. Honorary Fellow is conferred by nomination only and is not available by application. It is awarded outside the assessed Career Stage framework set out in the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001) and is not a route to Senior Fellow grade.

Categories of Recognition

4.2 Honorary Fellow status recognises contribution that the assessed framework cannot otherwise capture. The three categories of recognition are:

(a) Contribution from outside the assessed profession: academics whose research and writing has shaped administrative management thinking; senior policymakers whose work has influenced the profession; leaders from adjacent disciplines (governance, operations, organisational design) whose contribution to administrative management or to the Institute deserves recognition.

(b) Retired senior practitioners: individuals who held substantive senior leadership roles in administrative management before the assessed framework was available to recognise them, and whose lifetime contribution merits recognition independently of current practice.

(c) Exceptional service to the Institute: long-serving Board members, founding members of committees, and individuals whose work building or governing the Institute itself merits recognition.

Nomination and Conferral

4.3 Nominations may be made by Fellows or Senior Fellows in Good Standing, or by members of the Board. Self-nomination is not permitted. Nominations shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Board, with supporting evidence demonstrating contribution within one or more of the categories set out in Regulation 4.2.

4.4 The Board shall consider nominations not more than twice in any calendar year. Each nomination shall be considered on its merits and the Board may approve, defer, or decline without giving reasons. The total number of Honorary Fellowships conferred in any one year shall not normally exceed three.

4.5 The Board shall publish the criteria for nomination on the IAM website and shall maintain a public register of Honorary Fellows.

Designation, Tenure, and Obligations

4.6 Honorary Fellows are entitled to use the post-nominal HonFInstAM. The “Hon” prefix marks the designation as honorary and distinguishes it from the assessed Fellow designation (FInstAM).

4.7 Honorary Fellow status is held for life, subject to Regulation 4.9 below. It is not subject to annual renewal and is not transferable. Honorary Fellows are exempt from annual subscription fees and from mandatory Continuing Professional Development.

4.8 Honorary Fellows are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001) and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the standing conferred. Where a breach of the Code is committed by an Honorary Fellow, the procedure for rescission of Honorary Fellow status under Regulation 4.9 applies in place of the disciplinary procedure applicable to assessed members, in accordance with Sections 1.6 and 6.3 of the Code.

Rescission and Reconsideration

4.9 The Board may rescind Honorary Fellow status by formal resolution where the holder is found to have engaged in conduct incompatible with the standing conferred, or where rescission is necessary to protect the reputation of the Institute. Before rescission, the Board shall give the holder not less than 21 calendar days’ written notice and the opportunity to make representations. Rescission shall be recorded in the public register of Honorary Fellows maintained under Regulation 4.5 and may be made public where the Board considers it necessary in the public interest.

4.10 An Honorary Fellow who has received notice of proposed rescission may make written representations within the 21-day notice period under Regulation 4.9. Where rescission proceeds, the former Honorary Fellow may petition the Board for reconsideration of the rescission on the same grounds as are available on an appeal under Regulation 9.9. The Board shall consider any such petition at its next scheduled meeting, and its decision on the petition is final.

4.11 Honorary Fellow status ceases automatically on the death of the holder. The post-nominal HonFInstAM may continue to be used in posthumous references and memorials.

Regulation 5: Fees, Lapse, and Termination

Fee Structure

5.1 The Board shall set annual subscription fees for each grade of Professional Membership and for Subscriber registration. Annual subscription fees for assessed Professional Membership grades shall be structured in three tiers based on the member’s country of residence, using the World Bank country income classification: (a) Tier 1: high-income countries; (b) Tier 2: middle-income countries (combining upper-middle-income and lower-middle-income categories); and (c) Tier 3: low-income countries.

5.2 The applicable tier is determined at the point of application or renewal and is based on the member’s country of residence, not nationality. Country tier classification shall follow the World Bank Atlas method, as published annually by the World Bank. The Board shall publish and maintain a country tier schedule on the IAM website, updated within 90 calendar days of each annual World Bank reclassification. All fees are denominated in pounds sterling. The Institute may publish equivalent fees in other currencies for administrative convenience; the sterling amount shall prevail in the event of any discrepancy.

Subscriber Fees

5.3 Subscriber registration carries a single annual fee, not tiered by country, payable through the IAM Membership Platform. The Subscriber fee is the lowest annual fee charged by the Institute and reflects content access only, with no membership benefits, no post-nominal entitlement, and no CPD or assessment obligations. The Board may waive or reduce the Subscriber fee for students of non-IAM programmes, partner organisations, or on a case-by-case basis.

Application and Administration Fees

5.4 A one-off, non-refundable application and administration fee is payable upon first application for assessed Professional Membership at Associate, Member, Fellow, or Senior Fellow grade. This fee contributes to the cost of application processing, competence assessment, credential issuance, and platform setup. The fee does not apply to Subscriber, Affiliate, or Student registration, nor to annual renewals.

5.5 A separate fee shall apply to grade upgrades. Application and administration fees are not tiered by country and are payable at the same rate by all applicants. The Board may waive or reduce the application fee in cases of financial hardship on a case-by-case basis. Honorary Fellow status, conferred under Regulation 4, carries no application fee, no upgrade fee, and no annual subscription.

Fee Schedule

5.6 The current Fee Schedule, including annual subscription fees by grade and tier, the Subscriber fee, application and administration fees, and the country tier classification, shall be published by the Board on the IAM website (www.instam.org), which is the authoritative statement of the amount payable at any time; the IAM Individual Membership Guidance (IAM-IMG-2026-001) describes the fee structure and refers to the website for amounts. The Fee Schedule shall display the total cost payable upon first application (comprising the annual subscription fee and the application fee) prominently at the point of joining, in accordance with the consumer protection requirements applicable in the practitioner’s jurisdiction. The Board may amend the Fee Schedule from time to time, subject to the notice and consultation requirements in Regulation 2.4. The Fee Schedule does not form part of this Regulation and may be updated without a formal revision to this Regulation.

Payment, Lapse, and Termination

5.7 Where applicable in the practitioner’s jurisdiction, IAM membership subscriptions may qualify for tax relief, exemption, or deduction available to subscriptions paid to recognised professional bodies. The Institute makes no representation as to the availability of such relief in any particular jurisdiction, and members are advised to consult their local tax authority or a qualified tax adviser for guidance on their personal position. Subscriber registration is not a professional body subscription and is not expected to qualify for such relief.

5.8 Fees are payable annually in advance from the date of admission or renewal.

5.9 Non-renewal within 60 calendar days of the due date shall result in Professional Membership being classified as lapsed. Upon lapse, the member’s rights shall be suspended: the member shall lose the right to use post-nominals, access the Membership Platform, receive member benefits, appear in the Member Directory, and use their digital badge and certificate. For the avoidance of doubt, Article 9(3) of the Articles of Association (which concerns the termination of statutory company membership where sums due remain unpaid for six months) does not apply to Professional Membership, which is governed exclusively by this Regulation. Certificates, cards, badges, and other credentials issued by the Institute remain the property of the Institute. On lapse, suspension, or termination, the member shall cease to use them and, where the Institute so requests, return or destroy them.

5.10 Lapsed Professional Membership may be reinstated by payment of the outstanding fee within 12 months of the due date. After 12 months of non-payment, Professional Membership shall be terminated. Following termination within three years of the due date, a former member may apply for simplified reinstatement by submitting a written request, payment of the current annual subscription fee, and payment of the applicable application fee; no new evidence of experience or assessment is required. After three years, a fresh application under Regulation 3 is required in full.

5.11 A cooling-off period of 14 calendar days applies for new members and a further cooling-off period of 14 calendar days applies at each annual renewal, in accordance with the consumer protection law applicable in the practitioner’s jurisdiction. During the cooling-off period, a full refund of the subscription fee shall be given; the application fee is non-refundable.

5.12 Pro-rata fee adjustment shall apply for mid-year grade upgrades. Financial hardship provisions are available on application. Corporate partners may negotiate reduced rates.

5.13 A Professional Member or Subscriber may resign by giving written notice to membership@instam.org or through the IAM Membership Platform. Where the Institute offers online joining, it shall also offer an equivalent online cancellation facility through the Membership Platform. No fee refund shall be given on resignation. Resignation takes effect upon receipt of written notice or upon submission through the Membership Platform, except that resignation shall not take effect while disciplinary proceedings under Regulation 9 are pending against the member. Where a member submits a resignation while under investigation or subject to ongoing disciplinary proceedings, the proceedings shall continue to conclusion as if the member had not resigned, in accordance with Regulation 9.14 and Section 6.9 of the IAM Code of Ethics. If the proceedings result in a sanction less than expulsion, the resignation shall take effect upon conclusion of the proceedings.

5.14 Professional Membership and Subscriber registration cease upon the death of the holder. The Institute shall, upon receiving notification of a death, remove the individual from the Member Directory and deactivate any digital badges and Membership Platform access. Post-nominal designations may continue to be used in posthumous references and memorials. No fees are payable in respect of any period following the date of death, and any overpayment shall be refunded to the estate upon request.

Regulation 6: Continuing Professional Development

6.1 Professional Members at the four assessed grades shall complete the annual CPD hours specified in Table 1 (Regulation 2.1): 30 hours per year at every assessed grade (Associate, Member, Fellow, and Senior Fellow), including the required Structured CPD, ethics, and sustainability hours within that total as set out in Regulation 2.3. A minimum of 15 hours (50 per cent) of CPD shall be Structured CPD. CPD at Senior Fellow grade shall reflect the strategic, board-level, and profession-shaping scope of the role, with emphasis on governance, organisational strategy, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, AI governance, and substantive contribution to the profession. Subscribers, Student Members, Affiliates, and Retired members are exempt from mandatory CPD but are encouraged to undertake voluntary professional development.

6.2 The CPD Year for all assessed Professional Members runs from 1 January to 31 December, in accordance with the CPD Year definition in Regulation 1.3. Members admitted during a calendar year are exempt from CPD requirements for that partial year; the obligation commences from 1 January in the year following admission. CPD hours may not be carried forward from one CPD Year to the next.

6.3 All assessed members shall complete a minimum of one reflective practice record per CPD Year. Reflective practice records and competence statements shall be the member’s own work and shall evidence the member’s own judgement and learning. Producing such records wholly or substantially through generative artificial intelligence, or presenting AI-generated reflection as one’s own, is a breach of the IAM Code of Ethics (Sections 2.2.3 and 5.1.2) and constitutes professional misconduct under Regulation 9.

6.4 CPD activities shall be recorded on the IAM Membership Platform within 30 calendar days of completion. Activities completed in December of the CPD Year may be recorded by 31 January of the following year.

6.5 Non-compliance with CPD requirements shall be managed in accordance with the IAM CPD Regulation (IAM-CPD-REG-2026-001), which sets out the three-stage escalation procedure for CPD non-compliance. The Board retains ultimate authority over Professional Membership status, including the powers to reduce grade, suspend rights, or terminate Professional Membership as final sanctions where non-compliance is referred under Regulation 12 of the IAM CPD Regulation. Such final sanctions shall be imposed only following the disciplinary procedures set out in Regulation 9 of this Regulation.

6.6 Temporary exemptions from CPD requirements may be granted in cases of long-term illness, parental leave, bereavement, career break, or other exceptional circumstances, as set out in the IAM CPD Regulation (IAM-CPD-REG-2026-001) and the IAM CPD Guidance for Individuals (IAM-CPD-IND-2026-001).

6.7 Retired Senior Fellows, Retired Fellows, and Retired Members who undertake mentoring activities under the IAM Mentoring and Professional Supervision Framework (IAM-MEN-2026-001) and record ten or more CPD or mentoring hours per year, of which a minimum of five hours shall be mentoring or mentoring-related CPD, may apply for “Active Retired” status. Active Retired status operates as a mentoring quality assurance mechanism, signalling to mentees and the public that the mentor has demonstrated continued professional currency and current ethical and professional standing. Full provisions governing Active Retired status are set out in Regulation 11 of the IAM CPD Regulation.

6.8 Honorary Fellows are not subject to mandatory CPD. Where Honorary Fellows undertake CPD activities on a voluntary basis, the Institute encourages such activities to be recorded and made visible on the IAM Membership Platform.

Regulation 7: Rights and Benefits of Professional Membership

7.1 All Professional Members in Good Standing are entitled to the rights and benefits associated with their grade, as set out in the IAM Individual Membership Guidance (IAM-IMG-2026-001). These include the right to use the descriptive title and (where applicable) post-nominal designations of their grade, access to the IAM Membership Platform and CPD resources, listing in the IAM Member Directory, and such other benefits as the Board may determine from time to time. The full schedule of rights and benefits by grade is published in the IAM Individual Membership Guidance. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of Professional Members do not include voting rights at general meetings of the Company, which are reserved to Statutory Members under the Articles of Association.

7.2 Subscribers are entitled to the access to content, events, and public-facing resources specified in the terms of service applicable to Subscriber registration. Subscribers are not entitled to any rights or benefits attaching to Professional Membership, and may not represent themselves as members of the profession.

7.3 Honorary Fellows are entitled to the rights and benefits applicable to Fellow grade, with the exception that they pay no annual subscription and are not subject to mandatory CPD. Honorary Fellows may use the post-nominal HonFInstAM, appear in the Member Directory under a clearly designated Honorary Fellows section, and participate in IAM events and consultations.

7.4 Digital member badges (Associate and above, including Senior Fellow and Honorary Fellow) are issued via the IAM Badge Platform and link to the IAM Member Verification page (www.instam.org/verify). Badges may be used on professional profiles and stationery. Badges shall not be used to imply IAM endorsement of products or services.

7.5 Members may refer to their membership grade and use their post-nominal designations on business cards, correspondence, websites, professional profiles, and CVs. Members shall not use the IAM name, crest, coat of arms, or logo in any way that implies IAM endorsement, approval, or guarantee of their business, products, services, or employer without prior written consent from the Board. The IAM crest and logo remain the property of the Institute at all times.

7.6 The Institute shall maintain an online “Verify a Member” facility through which any person, including employers, may confirm the current membership status, grade, post-nominal entitlement, and Good Standing of a Professional Member. The facility shall be updated in a timely manner and shall not disclose personal information beyond that necessary for verification. Verification may also be requested by writing to membership@instam.org.

7.7 A Professional Member may ask for their Member Directory entry to be limited to name, grade, and Good Standing status, or to be withheld from public view. Verification of membership status under Regulation 7.6 remains available in every case.

Regulation 8: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Application of the Code

8.1 All Professional Members at Associate, Member, Fellow, and Senior Fellow grade, together with candidates (applicants for Professional Membership and individuals enrolled in an IAM Certified Programme), Affiliates, Student Members, Retired members (in respect of any continuing professional activity), and Honorary Fellows, are bound by the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001). The Code comprises nine Principles: (1) Integrity; (2) Professional Competence; (3) Professional Behaviour; (4) Confidentiality; (5) Objectivity; (6) Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; (7) Accountability; (8) Sustainability; and (9) Service. The nine Principles give binding expression to the nine Professional Values defined in Section 3.2 of the IAM Professional Standards (IAM-PS-2026-001); each Principle is separately binding and separately enforceable.

8.2 Subscribers are not members of the profession and are not bound by the Code of Ethics in the disciplinary sense. Subscribers are subject to the terms of service applicable to Subscriber registration, which incorporate the general standards of lawful and respectful conduct expected of users of any IAM service. Conduct by a Subscriber that would constitute professional misconduct under the Code if undertaken by a member may result in termination of Subscriber registration.

8.3 Compliance with the Code of Ethics and the professional conduct obligations set out in this Regulation is a condition of Professional Membership and of enrolment in any IAM Certified Programme. Breach of any Principle or obligation may result in disciplinary proceedings under Regulation 9. Where a member faces an ethical dilemma that cannot be resolved by applying the nine Principles and exercising professional judgement, they should seek advice from the Institute at conduct@instam.org or from an appropriate professional adviser. Section 1.9 of the Code and Section 8.1 of the IAM Professional Standards describe a five-step approach for working through a dilemma.

Duty of Care

8.4 All Professional Members shall exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in their professional practice. Members shall not undertake professional work beyond their competence without appropriate supervision, support, or training, and shall maintain and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for the competent performance of their professional duties.

Health and Safety

8.5 All Professional Members shall comply with the workplace health and safety legislation applicable in the jurisdiction in which they practise. Members who manage or supervise others have a particular responsibility to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of those under their direction. A member who becomes aware of a serious and imminent risk to health or safety in a professional context shall take reasonable steps to bring the matter to the attention of the relevant authorities.

Safeguarding

8.6 All Professional Members who work with or have a duty of care towards children, young people, or vulnerable adults shall comply with the safeguarding legislation applicable in the jurisdiction in which they work. Members shall report safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels in their organisation and, where required by law, to the relevant statutory authority. Failure to comply with safeguarding obligations may constitute professional misconduct under this Regulation.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption

8.7 All Professional Members shall comply with the anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation applicable in the jurisdiction in which they practise. Members shall not offer, promise, give, request, or accept any bribe, facilitation payment, or other improper inducement in the course of their professional activities, and shall report any suspected bribery or corruption to the appropriate authorities. In accordance with Principle 1 (Integrity) of the Code of Ethics, gifts and hospitality may be offered or accepted only where they are reasonable, proportionate, and transparent, are permitted by the law applicable in the practitioner’s jurisdiction and by the policies of the member’s organisation, and could not reasonably be perceived as influencing professional judgement. Where the member’s organisation maintains a register of gifts and hospitality, they shall be declared in it.

Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

8.8 All Professional Members shall use artificial intelligence and automated decision-making tools responsibly in their professional practice. The detailed obligations applicable to the use of artificial intelligence in administrative management practice, including transparency, human oversight, confidentiality, and the identification and reporting of shadow AI, are set out in Section 5 of the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001) and in the IAM AI Governance Guidance (IAM-AIG-2026-001). Breach of those obligations may constitute professional misconduct under this Regulation.

Whistleblowing and Public Interest Disclosure

8.9 A member who becomes aware of conduct that may breach the IAM Code of Ethics or this Regulation, or of unlawful, unethical, or unsafe activity in the course of their professional practice, has a duty to raise the concern. The duty is positive: silence in the face of serious wrongdoing is itself a breach of the Principles of Integrity and Accountability. Concerns may be raised through the internal channels of the member’s own organisation (line management, designated officers, internal audit, or board committees), through the Institute at conduct@instam.org, through the relevant regulatory or statutory authority in the practitioner’s jurisdiction, or (where appropriate and proportionate) through other lawful disclosure routes recognised by the applicable whistleblower-protection legislation. Concerns may relate to, but are not limited to, breaches of the Code of Ethics, fraud, financial irregularity, bribery, health and safety risks, safeguarding concerns, environmental damage, or a cover-up of any of the foregoing. Anonymous concerns may be raised, but the Institute’s ability to investigate fully may be limited where the source cannot be contacted; members are encouraged to provide their identity in confidence, with the protections in Regulation 8.10 applying in full.

8.10 No member shall be subjected to detriment, disadvantage, or disciplinary action by the Institute for making a disclosure in good faith under Regulation 8.9, regardless of whether the concern proves to be substantiated. The Institute upholds the principles of statutory whistleblower protection recognised in many jurisdictions and will not penalise members who act as whistleblowers in the public interest. Any attempt by a member to subject any person to detriment for making a good-faith disclosure shall itself constitute professional misconduct. Disclosures made vexatiously, in bad faith, or for personal advantage are not protected and may themselves constitute breaches of the Principles of Integrity and Professional Behaviour. Further guidance on raising concerns, including the support available to whistleblowers, is set out in Section 4 of the Code of Ethics and in the IAM Appeals and Complaints Policy (IAM-APP-2026-001).

Disclosure of Convictions, Sanctions, and Other Notifiable Matters

8.11 All Professional Members shall notify the Institute in writing at conduct@instam.org promptly, and in any event within 28 calendar days, of any matter that bears materially on their fitness to practise or on the reputation of the profession, including: (a) conviction of a criminal offence relevant to professional practice (excluding minor road-traffic offences not resulting in disqualification); (b) an adverse finding or sanction imposed by another professional body, regulatory authority, or statutory regulator; (c) disqualification from acting as a company director or equivalent office in the practitioner’s jurisdiction; (d) dismissal from employment for gross misconduct; or (e) personal bankruptcy or an equivalent insolvency arrangement that remains in force, where the member holds financial responsibilities in their role. Failure to notify is itself a breach of the Code of Ethics and a ground for disciplinary proceedings under Regulation 9. The Institute shall treat all disclosures as confidential and shall use the information solely for the purpose of assessing the member’s fitness to practise.

Regulation 9: Complaints, Disciplinary, and Appeals Procedures

Complaints Handling Standards

9.1 The Institute is committed to handling complaints about member conduct fairly, transparently, and in a timely manner, with full procedural protections. Complaints shall be handled in accordance with the following standards: (a) complaints shall be acknowledged within five working days of receipt; (b) the complainant shall be informed of the anticipated timeframe for investigation; (c) the member who is the subject of the complaint shall be notified and given a reasonable opportunity to respond; (d) investigations shall be conducted impartially by persons who have had no prior involvement in the matter; (e) decisions shall be communicated in writing with clear reasons; and (f) appeal rights shall be clearly explained at the point of decision. A substantive response, or an update on investigation progress, shall be provided to the complainant and to the member within 30 calendar days of acknowledgement, and at intervals of not more than 30 calendar days thereafter until the matter is concluded. These are the timeframes referred to in Sections 4.7 and 6.5 of the IAM Code of Ethics. Anonymous complaints may be submitted, but the Institute’s ability to investigate fully may be limited where the complainant cannot be contacted.

9.2 Complaints about the conduct of a Professional Member, Affiliate, Student Member, Retired member, or Honorary Fellow shall be submitted in writing to conduct@instam.org. An acknowledgement shall be issued within five working days of receipt.

Investigation

9.3 A Complaints Officer shall investigate the matter. The member shall have 14 calendar days to respond in writing to the substance of the complaint. Investigations shall normally be completed within 90 calendar days. Where the investigation cannot reasonably be completed within 90 days, the complainant and the member shall be informed of the reason and the revised timescale. Members who give evidence in investigations or disciplinary proceedings, whether as complainants, witnesses, or as members invited to provide professional context, are bound by the same duty to cooperate truthfully and in good faith; refusing without reasonable cause to cooperate with a properly constituted investigation may itself constitute professional misconduct.

Interim Suspension

9.4 The Board may impose an interim suspension of rights pending the outcome of an investigation where it is satisfied of two things: that the allegation, if substantiated, would be likely to result in expulsion; and that the member’s continued unrestricted exercise of post-nominals and member rights during the investigation would pose a material risk to the public interest or the reputation of the profession. The member shall be given written notice of the proposed interim suspension and the opportunity to make representations within seven calendar days before the suspension takes effect, except in cases of exceptional urgency where the suspension may take immediate effect subject to review within seven days. Interim suspension is not a finding of misconduct and shall not be recorded as a sanction.

Disciplinary Panel

9.5 An independent Disciplinary Panel, separate from the investigation, shall determine the case. The Panel shall comprise not fewer than three persons who have had no prior involvement in the matter, at least one of whom shall be a Professional Member at Fellow or Senior Fellow grade in Good Standing and at least one of whom shall be independent of the Institute, meaning not a member of the Board, an officer, or an employee of the Institute. Panel members shall declare any conflict of interest and shall not sit where one exists. The member shall receive the evidence relied on not less than 14 calendar days before any hearing, shall have the right to be accompanied at any hearing by a colleague, friend, family member, or legal representative, and shall be entitled to a written decision with reasons. Findings of fact are made on the balance of probabilities.

Sanctions

9.6 The Institute distinguishes between minor breaches, which may be addressed through corrective action and additional CPD, and serious breaches, which may attract more substantial sanctions up to and including expulsion. The seriousness of a breach is assessed against the nature of the conduct, its consequences, the member’s seniority and area of authority, and any pattern of prior conduct. The following sanctions may be applied, singly or in combination:

Table 3. Sanctions available to the Disciplinary Panel

9.7 Where expulsion is recommended by the Disciplinary Panel, the Board shall give the member at least 21 calendar days’ written notice of the Board meeting at which the resolution for removal will be considered, together with the reasons for the proposed removal. The member shall have the right, in person or through a representative, to make written or oral representations to the Board before the resolution is passed. This 21-day notice period mirrors the procedural protection afforded to Statutory Members under the Articles of Association, and the IAM applies the same standard of procedural fairness to Professional Members.

9.8 Where the member subject to disciplinary proceedings is an Honorary Fellow, the procedure for rescission of Honorary Fellow status under Regulation 4.9 applies in place of the disciplinary procedure in Regulations 9.3 to 9.7, in accordance with Sections 1.6 and 6.3 of the IAM Code of Ethics. An Honorary Fellow whose status has been rescinded may petition the Board for reconsideration under Regulation 4.10 on the same grounds as are available on an appeal under Regulation 9.9.

Appeals

9.9 A member may appeal a disciplinary decision within 30 calendar days by writing to appeals@instam.org. The grounds for appeal are: new evidence; error in the decision; procedural irregularity or flaw; unreasonable decision; or disproportionate sanction.

9.10 An independent Appeals Panel of not fewer than three persons, none of whom was involved in the original decision, shall review the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Panel is final.

9.11 Complaints about IAM service quality (as distinct from member conduct) shall be directed to enquiry@instam.org. A substantive response shall be provided within 20 working days.

Reinstatement After Expulsion

9.12 A person who has been expelled from the Institute under Regulation 9.7 may petition the Board for reinstatement after a minimum period of five years from the date of expulsion. The petition shall be in writing and shall demonstrate that the grounds for expulsion have been addressed and that the petitioner is a fit and proper person to hold Professional Membership. The Board may grant reinstatement unconditionally, grant reinstatement subject to such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate (including a requirement to re-apply under Regulation 3 and to pay the applicable application fee), or refuse reinstatement. The Board is not obliged to give reasons for its decision. A person whose petition is refused may not submit a further petition for a period of at least two years.

Medical Incapacity

9.13 Where the Board has reason to believe that a member may be unable to meet their professional obligations by reason of serious illness, injury, or mental incapacity, the Board may, as a measure distinct from disciplinary proceedings under this Regulation, suspend the member’s membership rights pending medical evidence. The member (or their representative) shall be given 21 calendar days’ written notice of the proposed suspension and the opportunity to provide medical evidence or make representations. Suspension under this provision is not a disciplinary sanction and shall not be recorded as such. The member’s rights shall be reinstated upon the Board being satisfied, on the basis of medical evidence, that the member is able to resume professional practice. Fees shall not be payable during the period of medical suspension. Where the Board initiates a review under this provision, the reasonable cost of obtaining medical evidence shall be borne by the Institute. Where a member voluntarily provides medical evidence in support of reinstatement, the cost shall be borne by the member.

Continuing Jurisdiction

9.14 Resignation, lapse, or termination of membership does not extinguish the Institute’s ability to investigate and determine a complaint concerning conduct that occurred while the individual was bound by the IAM Code of Ethics. Where an individual resigns, or their membership lapses or is terminated, while an investigation or disciplinary proceeding is pending, the Institute may complete the proceeding, record its outcome, and take that outcome into account in any future application for membership, readmission, reinstatement, or Honorary Fellowship, in accordance with Section 6.9 of the Code.

9.15 Publication of outcomes. The Institute does not publish the outcomes of disciplinary proceedings. The current membership status, grade, and Good Standing of any member may be verified under Regulation 7.6, and a member whose rights are suspended, whose grade is reduced, or who is expelled is shown accordingly. The Board may nevertheless publish the outcome of proceedings resulting in expulsion, including the former member’s name, where it considers publication necessary to protect the public, for example where the individual continues to claim IAM membership or designations. Publication does not take place until any appeal has been determined or the time for appeal has passed.

Regulation 10: Data Protection

10.1 The Institute is the data controller for all personal data processed in connection with Professional Membership and Subscriber registration. Personal data shall be processed in accordance with the data protection and privacy legislation applicable to the Institute, and any successor or equivalent legislation, with appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms of data subjects. The Institute’s privacy notice, published on the IAM website, describes the personal data processed, the purposes and legal bases of processing, and the rights of data subjects.

10.2 Personal data processed in connection with Professional Membership and Subscriber registration shall be retained for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. The following retention periods apply:

(a) Membership and Subscriber records (contact details, grade, membership number, dates of admission and termination): duration of membership or registration plus six years. Legal basis: limitation periods for contractual claims under the law of the relevant jurisdiction.

(b) Financial records (fee payments, invoices, refund records): six years from the end of the financial year to which they relate. Legal basis: company law and tax authority record-keeping requirements applicable to the Institute.

(c) Disciplinary and complaints records, including records of rescission of Honorary Fellow status: six years from the date of the final decision, or duration of membership plus six years, whichever is longer. Where a member has been expelled, or Honorary Fellow status has been rescinded, the records shall be retained indefinitely and may be used to inform future disciplinary proceedings, any reinstatement petition under Regulation 9.12, any future application for membership or readmission, and any nomination for honours and recognition, in accordance with Section 6.7 of the IAM Code of Ethics.

(d) Application and assessment records (including the curriculum vitae, evidence of qualifications, Statements of Professional Experience, verification correspondence, the assessor’s record, and the decision): six years from the date of the admission decision.

(e) CPD records: duration of membership plus three years. No statutory minimum; retained for audit and quality assurance purposes.

(f) Certificate and post-nominal records (confirmation of which grades were held and when, and Honorary Fellow conferrals): indefinitely. Legal basis: archiving in the public interest. As a professional body, the Institute has a continuing obligation to verify the authenticity and dates of professional designations it has conferred.

10.3 Upon expiry of the applicable retention period, personal data shall be securely deleted or anonymised. Data that is anonymised so that the individual is no longer identifiable may be retained for statistical and research purposes without time limit.

10.4 Members, Subscribers, and former members have the right to request erasure of their personal data under the data protection law applicable to the Institute. The Institute may refuse an erasure request where the data is required for the establishment, exercise, or defence of legal claims, or for archiving in the public interest, in accordance with the exceptions recognised by that legislation. Where an erasure request is refused, the Institute shall inform the individual of the reasons and of their right to complain to the relevant data protection supervisory authority.

10.5 Members and Subscribers have the right to access, rectification, restriction of processing, data portability, and the right to object, in accordance with the data protection law applicable to the Institute. International transfers of personal data shall comply with the international transfer rules of that legislation.

10.6 Personal data breach notification shall be made to the relevant data protection supervisory authority within the period required by the data protection law applicable to the Institute, and to affected members and Subscribers without undue delay.

10.7 The Institute shall maintain a Professional Membership directory for the purposes of member verification, the Member Directory, and digital badge validation. The directory shall identify Honorary Fellows in a clearly designated section.

10.8 The Institute may collect and analyse anonymised equality and diversity data from members, Subscribers, and applicants on a voluntary basis, for the purpose of monitoring compliance with its equality obligations and identifying areas for improvement. Such data shall be processed in accordance with this Regulation and shall not be used in individual admission or disciplinary decisions.

Regulation 11: General Provisions

Transfer of Professional Membership

11.1 Professional Membership and Subscriber registration are personal to the individual and are not transferable. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Articles 7(6) to 7(8) of the Articles of Association concerning the transfer of statutory company membership do not apply to Professional Membership.

Equality and Accessibility

11.2 The Institute is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of Professional Membership and Subscriber registration. No person shall be refused membership, or subjected to less favourable treatment in respect of membership, on grounds of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political opinion, marital or family status, pregnancy or parenthood, socio-economic background, or any other characteristic protected by the equality and anti-discrimination legislation applicable in the applicant’s jurisdiction.

11.3 The Institute shall make reasonable adjustments to its membership processes, assessments, CPD requirements, and digital platforms for members and applicants with a disability. The IAM Membership Platform shall comply with current internationally recognised web content accessibility standards to ensure that digital membership services are accessible to all members.

11.4 The Institute shall seek to ensure that its assessment panels, disciplinary panels, appeals panels, and Board committees reflect the diversity of the membership. The Board shall monitor the composition of such panels and take reasonable steps to address any significant underrepresentation.

International Members

11.5 Professional Membership is open to individuals worldwide. Annual subscription fees are tiered by country of residence in accordance with Regulation 5.1. Where this Regulation refers to legislation applicable to the Institute, members outside the United Kingdom shall comply with the equivalent legislation in their own jurisdiction. All fees are denominated in pounds sterling. The Institute may publish equivalent fees in other currencies for administrative convenience; the sterling amount shall prevail in the event of any discrepancy.

11.6 Professional Members and Subscribers outside the United Kingdom shall receive all notices and communications through the IAM Membership Platform, which constitutes electronic communication for all purposes of this Regulation. For the avoidance of doubt, Article 51(2) of the Articles of Association (which restricts statutory company notices to members without a United Kingdom address) does not apply to Professional Members or Subscribers.

Reciprocal Recognition

11.7 The Board may enter into reciprocal recognition agreements with other professional bodies, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, for the purpose of facilitating the admission of members of those bodies to IAM Professional Membership and vice versa. Reciprocal recognition agreements may provide for expedited admission procedures, exemption from part or all of the competence assessment requirements under Regulation 3, and reduced application fees. Any such agreement shall be published on the IAM website. Reciprocal recognition does not confer automatic admission; applicants shall still meet the admission criteria for the relevant grade or demonstrate equivalence to the satisfaction of the Board.

Duty to Report Misconduct

11.8 Professional Members have a positive duty to raise concerns about conduct that may breach the IAM Code of Ethics or this Regulation, or about unlawful, unethical, or unsafe activity, that they observe in the course of their professional practice, in accordance with Regulation 8.9 and Section 4 of the Code. Reports to the Institute shall be made to conduct@instam.org in good faith and with such supporting information as the member can reasonably provide. Members who make reports in good faith are protected from retaliation under Regulation 8.10.

Notices and Service of Communications

11.9 Any notice, communication, or document required or permitted to be given under this Regulation by the Institute to a Professional Member or Subscriber may be given by email to the registered email address, by post to the registered postal address, or through the IAM Membership Platform. A notice sent by email shall be deemed received 48 hours after sending. A notice sent by post shall be deemed received five working days after posting (or ten working days for international post). A notice sent through the Membership Platform shall be deemed received upon the recipient’s next login or 14 calendar days after posting, whichever is earlier. Members and Subscribers are responsible for maintaining an up-to-date email and postal address on the Membership Platform.

11.10 Any notice, communication, or document required or permitted to be given under this Regulation by a member or Subscriber to the Institute may be given by email, by post to the Institute’s registered office, or through the IAM Membership Platform. Email shall be sent to the address specified in this Regulation for the matter concerned or, where none is specified, to membership@instam.org. A notice sent by email shall be deemed received upon delivery confirmation or, in the absence of a delivery failure notification, 48 hours after sending.

Interpretation and Disputes

11.11 This Regulation shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising from or in connection with Professional Membership or Subscriber registration which cannot be resolved by the appeals procedure set out in Regulation 9 shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

11.12 Official contact channels. The Institute maintains the following channels for communications under this Regulation and the documents made under it: membership@instam.org for membership administration and applications; conduct@instam.org for complaints about member conduct, reports under the Code of Ethics, and whistleblowing disclosures; appeals@instam.org for appeals against disciplinary or other decisions; enquiry@instam.org for general enquiries and for complaints about the Institute’s service quality; dpo@instam.org for data protection enquiries and access requests; corporate@instam.org for Corporate Membership matters; centres@instam.org for matters under the IAM Centre Recognition Scheme; and endorsement@instam.org for matters under the IAM Qualifications and Courses Endorsement Scheme. Advice on ethical dilemmas under Section 1.9 of the Code of Ethics and notifications under Regulation 8.11 are directed to conduct@instam.org. The Institute may add to or vary these channels from time to time and shall publish the current list on the IAM website.

11.13 This Regulation is made in English. Where the Institute publishes a translation, the translation is provided for convenience only and the English text prevails in the event of any inconsistency.

11.14 The Board may, in exceptional circumstances and on written request, waive or vary the application of a provision of this Regulation in an individual case, provided that the waiver or variation is consistent with the Articles of Association and the IAM Code of Ethics. This power does not extend to the sanctions available under Regulation 9.6 or to the grounds for rescission under Regulation 4.9.

Regulation 12: Commencement, Supersession, and Review

12.1 This Regulation comes into effect on 1 January 2027, the first day of the first CPD Year and the same date as the IAM Professional Standards for Administrative Management (IAM-PS-2026-001) and the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001).

12.2 This Regulation supersedes all previous membership regulations, membership rules, and membership by-laws of the Institute.

12.3 This Regulation is subject to a two-year formal review cycle. The next scheduled review shall conclude by 1 December 2028, aligning the review cycle of this Regulation with those of the IAM Professional Standards for Administrative Management (IAM-PS-2026-001) and the IAM Code of Ethics (IAM-COE-2026-001), so that any revised edition can take effect on 1 January 2029, aligned with the CPD Year. Between formal reviews, minor corrections may be issued as errata. Substantive changes require approval by the Board of Directors.

12.4 In accordance with Article 55(3) of the Articles of Association, the Company in general meeting has the power to alter, add to, or repeal the rules or bye laws made under Article 55, including this Regulation.

12.5 Transitional provisions. (a) An individual who holds a grade of Professional Membership, Affiliate membership, Student Membership, or Retired membership of the Institute on 31 December 2026 continues in that membership from 1 January 2027 at the corresponding grade in Table 1, without re-application or re-assessment. Before 1 January 2027 the Board shall publish a mapping of any previous grade or designation that does not correspond directly to a grade in Table 1. (b) Post-nominal designations held on 31 December 2026 may be used from 1 January 2027 in the form set out in Table 1, subject to Good Standing. (c) The obligations of this Regulation, the IAM Code of Ethics, and the IAM CPD Regulation apply to existing members from 1 January 2027; the fees, terms, and renewal provisions of Regulation 5 apply to each existing member from their first renewal date on or after 1 January 2027. (d) An application received before 1 January 2027 and not determined by that date shall be determined under this Regulation. (e) Disciplinary proceedings pending on 1 January 2027 continue under this Regulation, save that no sanction shall be imposed that could not have been imposed under the rules in force when the conduct occurred. (f) An existing member who wishes to be admitted to a higher grade may apply under Regulation 3.9.

Schedule A: Statement of Professional Experience

A.1 A Statement of Professional Experience is the primary evidence of qualifying experience under Regulation 3. Its purpose is to let the Institute confirm what role the applicant held and to assess the substance of that role against the Competency Domains and the Career Stage descriptors of the IAM Professional Standards. A statement that confirms only a title and dates does not serve that purpose.

A.2 Who gives it. For each employed role relied on, the statement is given by the employer: by a person senior to the applicant in the organisation, or by the human resources function, who is in a position to confirm the facts stated. A statement may not be given by a relative of the applicant or by a person who reports to the applicant. For experience gained as an independent practitioner, or where an employer no longer exists or cannot reasonably be approached, the applicant may give the statement in their own name, supported by any documentary evidence reasonably available (contracts, engagement letters, client confirmations, company records), and the Institute may verify it as Regulation 3.8 provides.

A.3 Form. The statement is given on the employer’s letterhead or through the employer’s official email address, is dated and signed by the person giving it with their name, job title, and contact details, and is uploaded to the IAM Membership Platform by the applicant. The Institute publishes a template on the Platform; use of the template is not mandatory provided the content in A.4 is present.

A.4 Content. The statement confirms:

• the applicant’s name, job title, and the dates of the role, and whether it was full-time or part-time (with the hours);

• the reporting line: to whom the applicant reported, and who reported to the applicant, with numbers;

• the scope of the role: the function, team, site, or business unit administered, and any budget, headcount, contracts, or systems for which the applicant was responsible;

• the substance of the role: what the applicant was accountable for, the decisions they took, and, for senior roles, the organisational or cross-organisational matters in which they led; described where possible against the seven Competency Domains of the IAM Professional Standards;

• for applications at Fellow and Senior Fellow: whether the role was a senior role, and whether it involved board or apex-equivalent responsibility, in terms the person giving the statement can confirm;

• a declaration that the statement is true to the knowledge of the person giving it.

A.5 How the Institute reads it. The Institute reads each statement against Annex A of the IAM Professional Standards, which describes for each Competency Domain what competence looks like at each Career Stage in terms of scope, accountability, and decisions. The Institute assesses the role on its substance and not on its title, sector, organisation type, or country, and treats part-time and independent practice as Regulation 3 provides.

A.6 Language. A statement may be given in any language, accompanied by a translation into English. The Institute may verify the original.

Schedule B: Related Documents

The following documents give effect to, or provide guidance on, the provisions of this Regulation:

Issued for consultation by the IAM Professional Standards Committee

Exposure Draft for consultation · Institute of Administrative Management, 11 September 2026 · Proposed to take effect from 1 January 2027

Non Sibi Sed Toti: Not for Oneself but for All

www.instam.org

© 2026 Institute of Administrative Management. All rights reserved.

INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

Inspiring professionals since 1915

IAM Membership Regulation

IAM-MEM-REG-2026-001 • Edition 1.0 • Exposure Draft • 11 September 2026

Non Sibi Sed Toti

Not for Oneself but for All

www.instam.org • enquiry@instam.org

© 2026 Institute of Administrative Management. All rights reserved.

A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 09016031.