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How to qualify as a Chartered Director

There are three distinct learning and assessment stages comprising the Chartered Director award:

1. the Certificate in Company Direction (Cert IoD)
2. the Diploma in Company Direction (Dip IoD)
3. the Chartered Director (Peer) Interview.

These stages allow you to demonstrate (i) your understanding of the role of a director, and the role of the board across four broad learning modules followed by the Certificate examination; (ii) your application of your knowledge and your experience through the Diploma examination and finally, (iii) the demonstration of your significant experience as a director in five key areas, evidenced through interview by two peer reviewers, and supported by a portfolio which documents your directorial role(s).

Please see the Guide below for further details.

Stage 1 - The Certificate in Company Direction

There are several routes offered for the certificate programme:

• The standard programme which includes both attended courses and e-learning support;
• The IoD accelerated certificate programme comprising five residential days;
• The MBA alumni route.

For all routes, the certificate examination is compulsory for delegates wishing to proceed to the Diploma and then to Chartered Director.

Stage 2 - The Diploma in Company Direction

The Diploma in Company Direction provides an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge gained from the Certificate in a realistic environment.

It comprises a mandatory three day developing board performance exercise, where delegates run an organisation as its board. The programme encourages peer group support, challenge and discussion. in mirroring board activities, delegates will be faced with a number of issues and crises as they work through a period in the organisation's annual cycle and beyond. The programme is followed by the mandatory Diploma examination.

Stage 3 - Chartered Director

Chartered Director is about your experience as a director, which is assessed by two peer directors (professional review interviewers) and based on a portfolio of documents. It requires some preparatory work and reflection on the experience that has been gained over a specified period of time. The IoD supports delegates through the process, through workshops and feedback prior to interview.

You must have passed both the Certificate and Diploma examinations in order to apply for Chartered Director.

To ascertain whether you qualify, check if you satisfy the basic criteria to enable you to register for Chartered Director. These require that:

• You must be an IoD Member or Fellow - you are currently a full member of a formally constituted board (if this is not the case, please contact us).
  Please note that these are minimum criteria and a further assessment of your status will be undertaken once you have applied.
• You must be a director and have been so for a minimum of three years, or a minimum of five years if you do not hold a degree or recognised professional qualification
• Your board must meet at least four times a year, with at least three directors

As a first step you will need to register, by completing application and eligibility forms. If you are interested in applying, please contact the Chartered Director team on 020 7766 8951/2602, or e-mail chartered.director@iod.com.