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IOR membership

IOR members are at the forefront of innovation in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. They represent a vast knowledge bank in applied research, practical experience and everyday good practice.

When you join the IOR you will gain access to all of our information about standards, legislation, safety, practice, research and sector news. As well as certified professional development opportunities and recognition of your skills, knowledge and experience. You will become part of a network of dedicated, specialist experts in your field.

Join our network of 2300 individual members now

Types of Membership

The IOR has a range of membership options for everyone

Become a member of the IOR

Subscribe to our technician mailings

Membership for Students

Advance your membership grade

Member (MInstR)

Members have extensive knowledge and important responsibilities in the sector.

They work in a wide variety of refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pump and allied sectors. For example Senior Managers, Designers, Sales Engineers, Plant Engineer, Senior Lecturers, Technical Consultants, Commissioning Engineer, Installation Supervisor, Food Technologists, Business Directors, Marketing or HR Experts.

The expected mix of qualifications and experience are:

A minimum of 10 years in a role with important responsibility for those without any formal qualifications
Between 5 and 10 years in a role with important responsibility for those with Level 2 or 3 qualifications such as NVQs, HNC etc
At least 3 years in a role with important responsibility for those holding a Degree

See our Grade Guidance for more information

Members can apply for Chartered or Incorporated Engineer Registration with the Engineering Council.

They have an active role in the IOR by voting in Elections and standing for election to the Board of Trustees.

To join you need to provide a complete career history detailing responsibilities of past and current roles (including those not related to RACHP) and an expert statement for consideration by the Membership Committee.

£105 per year renewable on 1st April
Plus a one-off £49 application fee

Start your application

Associate Member (AMInstR)

If you have significant knowledge related to your current role in the sector, together with a few years of management experience then Associate membership may be for you.

Associates are usually at a fairly early stage in their career and don't therefore have quite enough experience to apply for full Membership, but can usually apply for Advancement in a few years. There is no experience requirement for graduates who can apply straight from University.

Typical job roles include Technician, Junior Design Engineer, Service Co-ordinator, Business, Marketing, Administrator, Research Associate.

Associates can vote in elections and stand for election to the Board of Trustees. They can apply for Engineering Technician or Incorporated Engineer Level at the Engineering Council.

Our Membership Pathways mentoring service may help plan your career progression.

£95 per year renewable on 1st April
Plus a one-off £49 application fee

Start your application

Pre-Associate

This grade is designed to encourage those new to the industry to get networking and making valuable contacts within the sector. It is open to anyone in any role in the sector who does not yet have the necessary experience to meet the Associate member requirements, as well as student apprentices, undergraduates or post graduates.

Our Membership Pathways mentoring service may help plan your career progression.

After three years you will be expected to apply to advance to Associate or another grade of Membership. The grade is awarded for a maximum of three years.

£32 per year renewable on 1st April
No application fee

Start your application

Affiliate

This grade is designed for those with an active interest in the industry who want to keep up to date with sector developments and technical information available from the IOR.

Joining as an Affiliate is quick and easy as applications do not require a statement of experience.

There are no initials after your name or voting rights.

£95 per year renewable on 1st April
Plus a one-off £49 application fee

Start your application

Technician (TMInstR)

IOR Technician Members must have at least three years’ experience in a hands-on role eg service and maintenance engineer, and hold a current F Gas Certificate qualification.

They gain to access to regular good practice guidance notes written for service engineers and receive a quarterly mailing as well as the usual IOR membership benefits.

You can use the initials TMInstR after your name and apply for Engineering Technician registration with the Engineering Council. Technicians can vote in elections and stand for election to the Board of Trustees.

The IOR can help employers to provide access to Technician Member benefits for all suitable staff. Contact us for more information.

£60 per year renewable on 1st April
No application fee

Start your application

Not sure which grade you are eligible for?

If you are not sure which grade to select please complete the application form with as much detail as possible and the Committee will match your experience and qualifications to the most suitable grade of membership for you

£32-105 per year depending on grade allocated. Renewable on 1st April
Plus a one-off £49 application fee

Start your application

For those working in a hands-on technician or service engineer role the IOR provides a technical subscription service that will help you to keep your skills up to date, improve your knowledge of techniques and provide you with access to over 200 on line good practice guides, bulletins and safety notices.

The RACHP EngTech Section subscription is available to anyone working in the sector. You will receive four postal mailings a year and as a joining gift a free Torque Tool to help set schraeder valves and prevent refrigerant leakage.

At the end of each subscription year you will receive an IOR CPD Certificate as evidence of your commitment to developing your skills.

Join online straight away (no need for a full career history or sponsors to validate your application) and start downloading publications and receive your mailings.

RACHP Engineering Technician Section subscriber (UK)	£43 per year renewable on 1st April No application fee Subscribe now
RACHP Engineering Technician Section (Overseas)	£52 per year renewable on 1st April No application fee Subscribe now
Employer Discount for 5 or more subscribers to the section	£36 per year per named employee renewable on 1st April No application fee Contact us to sign up
RACHP Apprentices enrolled at a college Applications must be made via your course tutor direct to the IOR Membership Secretary membership@ior.org.uk	FREE for the duration of your course (maximum three years)

Discounted rate for companies signing up five or more staff at £36 per registration - contact membership@ior.org.uk for details.

Student membership

This grade is designed to encourage those new to the industry to get networking and make valuable contacts within the sector as well as providing access to useful technical information to support their studies. Students gain access to all IOR technical material and news.

Open to undergraduate students and post-graduate researchers. Students are eligible to apply for Student Membership of the Engineering Council.

After a maximum of three years student members are expected to apply to advance to Associate or another grade of membership.

£32 per year renewable on 1st April for a maximum of 3 years. No application fee

Join now

Free Apprentice membership

If you are registered on the RACHP EngTech Apprenticeship we can offer free student membership during your course to support your studies. Students gain access to all IOR technical material and news and an annual CPD Certificate as evidence of off the job learning.

Course tutors can subscribe all new students - ask us for details membership@ior.org.uk

Free for a maximum of 3 years.

Advance your membership grade

Members can apply at any time to have their Grade reviewed by the Membership Committee.

You must complete a full application form detailing your job responsibilities, experience and qualifications to show that these now meet the criteria for the grade you wish to advance to.

No Application fee is charged to members applying for advancement. Once your new grade is confirmed you will be charged the difference between your current and your new fee rate when your membership renews.

If you are not sure whether you are ready for advancement why not join our Membership Pathways Mentoring scheme ?

Apply for advancement

IOR Fellow membership (FInstR)

Recognition as a Fellow of the IOR is a substantial honour that distinguishes an individual as an ambassador and technical leader and recognises their unique contribution to the RACHP sector. Fellows are appointed each year by the IOR Nominations Committee on behalf of the Board of IOR Trustees.

Applicants for IOR Fellowship must meet these criteria:

Committed to and involved in the advancement of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps beyond their day-to-day work responsibilities eg involvement in committees, giving talks, setting standards, mentoring, STEM
Leaders at work with a depth of technical knowledge at a senior role in their area of expertise
Involved actively in shaping the IOR and have usually been in membership (at any grade) for around 10 years. Those who have made an exceptional contribution over a shorter period of membership may also be considered.

Find out more