Chartered Meteorologist (CMet)
Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) is the highest level of professional recognition in meteorology available in UK, no matter which discipline or sector you work in. It is well-respected for reaching and maintaining an outstanding level of professional performance and scientific knowledge, with a specialist area of meteorology.
Accreditation as a Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) will assure clients and employers that the individual has reached, and continues to maintain, a high level of competence in their specialist areas of meteorology and has agreed to subscribe to a code of conduct laid down by the Society.
The scheme is relevant to all professional meteorologists, whether consultants, academics or operational meteorologists.
Resources
Requirements
All those working in the science, practice, application, advancement or teaching of meteorology can become accredited, subject to the appropriate combination of qualifications and experience.
A feature of the CMet scheme is that knowledge of meteorological science and practice can be demonstrated by extensive practical experience.
Those not meeting the standard requirements, but who might still be eligible to be accredited, are recommended to view the guidelines documents for further information.
Standard Requirements:
- Degree in any science, engineering or computational subject*
- Knowledge of meteorological science and practice as specified in the WMO BIP-M syllabus (Part II)
- Minimum of five years recent work at an appropriate professional level
- Evidence that the CMet competencies are satisfied
- Ability to communicate clearly in English
Additionally:
- Membership of the Royal Meteorological Society
- Willingness to abide by the code of conduct
- Commitment to continued professional development
If you feel you are close to meeting the requirements above, or are not quite sure, then contact us, for advice and guidance on how to proceed.
*If you have either an alternative degree-equivalent, or lower qualifications, then you may still be accepted if you have sufficient and relevant practical experience.
Application Process
There are four stages when completing your first application, followed by a renewal every two years.
A tailored framework allows you to easily record developmental activities. You can gradually build on this throughout your career to demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
Step 1: Completing the application
You must complete the application process using ACCSYS. You need to be a member of the Society to access ACCSYS.
The main parts of the application are recording your CPD activities, writing an appraisal of your career, and providing evidence for how you meet the 5 key competencies. Compiling your CPD record can take time, but do not be put off by the first step – once this part is complete, the remainder of the application takes only a few hours to complete.
Step 2: Society Evaluation
The Society will check your submission and will seek references from your nominated referees.
Step 3: Interview process
The Society will arrange for you to be interviewed by a panel of two assessors. This is not an exam – it’s more of a stimulating peer to peer discussion, that will last about an hour. The interview provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate that you to the panel that you:
- have a good level of specialist knowledge (including in your declared specialisms).
- have a broad knowledge of the current national and international context in which meteorological services are provided.
- meet the competency requirements.
Step 4: Decision
Following the interview, your application will be considered and decided by the Accreditation Board. On becoming a fully accredited meteorologist you will be issued a certificate, and will be eligible to use the post-nominals CMet after your name.
In general, the accreditation process takes approximately 4 months from receipt of your application to receiving confirmation of successfully completing the process.
Renewal
Every two years your CPD will need to be renewed. Keeping your CPD record up-to-date during that time will make it easy to generate a report at the time of renewal. You can do this using our ACCSYS tool or simply keep detailed records yourself. The Society will contact you to request that you submit a CPD Report and the Accreditation Panel will review it. Once approved, you can continuing practising as a CMet.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application fee for CMet is £218.00.
There is an annual renewal fee for CMet of £55.00. You must be a member of the Royal Meteorological Society to apply, so these fees are in addition to membership.
To remain accredited, the renewal fee is due on an annual basis. You will also need to agree to the code of conduct annually, which can be done at the same time as fee payment. In terms of updating your record, CPD reports are required every 2 years.
The Council of the Royal Meteorological Society oversees the accreditation scheme and appoints an Accreditation Board (made up of at least 8 members) to manage it. The Accreditation Board is responsible for recommending acceptance or rejection of an application.
The Society recognises the significant value in providing support to those on career breaks from their professional work in meteorology, (for example, for parental leave, a sabbatical or other reasons).
If this is expected to be more than eighteen months, Chartered and Registered Meteorologists may apply to be placed upon the Society’s Dormancy Register in order to allow them to remain connected with their professional background but with a reduced requirement to maintain CPD.
Accredited meteorologists are permitted to use post-nominals for a period of 2 years from the end of the period covered by the last acceptable CPD Report submitted regardless of when dormancy is applied for (unless ruled otherwise).
During absences exceeding 2 years, post-nominals cannot be used.
During a period of dormancy:
· The fees for Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) and Registered Meteorologist (RMet) are reduced to 50%
· The accredited meteorologist should keep up to date in the field so far as possible and log any CPD activity in ACCSYS. However, CPD Reports will not be requested whilst someone is on the Dormancy Register.
· There remains an expectation that within five years, a CPD report of sufficient standard will be submitted to the Society so that they are reinstated onto the RMet or CMet register.
Those on a career break of more than 5 years will be required to attend a professional interview (CMet) or Workplace Assessment (RMet) to confirm that they have sufficiently maintained their professional competence before full accreditation will continue.
A full list of specialisms recognised by the Society can be found in the resources section on the CPD page.
Register of Chartered Meteorologists
Those who have successfully completed the application for Chartered Meteorologist and continue to maintain the standard may use the appellation CMet as a measure of professional competence in meteorology. A Register of all current Chartered Meteorologists can be found here.