• This grade is designed to encourage those new to the industry to get networking and making valuable contacts within the sector. It is offered at a significant discount on the membership fee and carries no joining fee.
• It's 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.
• After three years Student and Pre-Associate Members would normally be expected to apply to advance to Associate or another grade of Membership.
• Gain access to our Membership Pathways mentoring service, where you are paired with an experienced IOR member to help plan your career progression to full Member status.

• This grade is for anyone with an active involvement in the industry but insufficient direct experience or qualifications to be eligible for other grades. 
• It is particularly suitable for anyone who wants to keep up with developments associated with the sector but is in a non technical role.
• There are no initials, voting rights or the opportunity to stand for election to the Board of Trustees, vote in election or AGM.  
• Applications are not subject to the evaluation of the Membership Committee so it can be a quick way of signing up to get immediate access to news and information.

• IOR Technician Members (TMInstR) have at least three years’ experience in an engineering technician level role eg service and maintenance engineer, and hold a current F Gas Certificate qualification
• You will be able to access good practice guidance notes written for service engineers and receive a quarterly mailing as well as the IOR membership benefits.
• You can use the initials TMInstR after your name and apply for Engineering Technician registration with the Engineering Council.
• The IOR can work with employers to provide access to Technician Member benefits for all suitable staff. Contact us for more information.

• An IOR RACHP EngTech Section subscription is available to anyone working in the field who wants to keep up with industry developments and improve their technical knowledge
• You will receive four postal mailings a year with good practice guides, tool box talks and newsletters, as well as a free Torque Tool !
• In addition subscribers gain access to free downloads of service engineers' section publications on the website; an annual CPD Certificate as evidence of your commitment to developing your skills
• There is no criteria for joining and you can join on line immediately to start downloading publications and guides as a low cost way of accessing this information.
• There are no voting rights or initials after the name and subscribers cannot apply for Engineering Council recognition. If you want to gain initials and become a member of the IOR at a later date you can transfer to IOR Technician Membership.

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 by the IOR Nominations Committee on behalf of the Board of IOR Trustees.  IOR Fellows, who can use the designation FInstR after their name, must meet these criteria:

1. Committed to and involved in the advancement of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps beyond their day-to-day work responsibilities
2. Leaders at work with a depth of technical knowledge  
3. Involved actively in shaping the IOR and have usually been in membership for at least 10 years 

Find out more about how Fellows are appointed here.

More details of about Membership Grade Requirements

Download a printable summary of membership grade requirements and fees

Find out about the IOR Membership Pathways initiative - supporting those new to the industry to gain full IOR membership recognition.