This page provides information about the application process and submission deadlines for:
- new or upgrade professional accreditation (PCIfA, ACIfA, MCIfA)
- student or affiliate (non-accreditated)
- rejoining CIfA and NVQ/Apprenticeship fast-track to PCIfA
For answers to common questions about applying for CIfA accreditation, please see our join CIfA FAQs. For information about the subscription fees, see our Current annual subscription fees.
CIfA is committed to promoting equality and diversity for all its members and seeks to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Please see our equal opportunities policy (PDF). While our online application is designed to improve accessibility, other formats are available on request, please contact us at membership@archaeologists.net and for any application queries.
New or upgrade accreditation applications
Please ensure that you have read the 'Preparing for your application' section and guidance on the relevant accreditation page before you begin your application.
To apply from Germany please see the Deutschland Group page (currently updating the information).
New accreditation
Please note you cannot save and return to the form later.
Upgrade accreditation
Upgrade accreditation -
apply now
Please note you can save the form to return to if you are logged in.
Deadlines to submit applications
Please refer to the following deadlines for accredited applications, these allow time to request and receive references and any additional information required.
We will email confirmation that we have received your application within one week.
- Practitioner (PCIfA) applications
- Apply anytime, as these will be assessed regularly approximately every month when both references are received (excluding March, May and September 2024).
- Associate (ACIfA) applications
- 27 January for 18 February meeting
- 17 March for 8 April meeting
- 16 June for 8 July meeting
- 4 August for 2 September meeting
- 17 November for 9 December meeting
- Member (MCIfA) applications only (including a professional review interview)
- Apply anytime from 27 November to 27 January 2025 for professional review interviews two-week window from 10 March to 21 March 2025 for 13 May committee meeting - please note this is on a first come basis due to capacity of the volunteers who undertake the interviews.
- Apply anytime from 4 June 2025 to 4 August 2025 for professional review interviews two-week window from 8 September to 19 September 2025 for 28 October committee meeting - please note this is on a first come basis due to capacity of the volunteers who undertake the interviews.
Student or Affiliate non-accredited applications
Please ensure that you read the information on non-accredited student and affiliate grades and subscriptions before applying. If you change your mind within two weeks of becoming a member we will refund the subscription fee paid.
Student membership
Student memberapply now
Affiliate membership
Affiliate memberapply now
To apply from Germany please go to Studentische und Reguläre (Affiliate) Mitgliedschaft.
Rejoining CIfA applications
If you have previously been accredited (PCIfA, ACIfA, MCIfA) but your subscription has expired you can re-apply to the same grade, provided we can ensure that your skills and knowledge still demonstrate the criteria of the grade you left at. We reserve the right to request further information or require a full application. There is no application fee to rejoin.
If you became a member before the introduction of the competence matrix in 2008, please apply in full as a new member.
If you were previously a Student (and still are) or Affiliate, please complete a new online application using the buttons above.
If you would like to reapply at a different grade you can either rejoin first and then upgrade (upgrade fee applies), or apply as a new applicant (new application fee applies), please see details on the relevant accreditation guidance page above.
Please download and complete the Re-joiners application form (Word .doc) below and provide the following documentation:
- An up to date CV - this should include details about your current role and responsibilities so we can ensure you still meet the criteria of the grade you expired at. See our CV guidance (PDF) for useful tips.
- Any new qualification certificates
- A CPD log and PDP from the last two years and a list of publications or other work (ACIfA and MCIfA applications only)
Rejoining application
Rejoin CIfA -download form
NVQ or Apprenticeship fast-track applications
The NVQ in Archaeological Practice is a level three qualification that demonstrates on-the-job learning and competence following the National Occupational Standards (NOS). This specific qualification acts as a ‘fast-track’ to our Practitioner (PCIfA) professionally accredited grade.
The Apprenticeships in archaeology and the historic environment has three levels of qualification - level three, Archaeological Technician, level four, Historic Environment Advice Assistant, and level seven, Archaeological Specialist or Historic Environment Advisor - that demonstrate on-the-job learning and competence. These specific qualifications act as a ‘fast-track’ to our Practitioner (PCIfA) (L3 and L4) or Member (MCIfA) (L7) professionally accredited grades.
If you have undertaken the above NVQ or Apprenticeship qualification with us or another provider, please send in a copy of your certificate and the NVQ and Apprenticeship fast track application form (Word .doc) below to membership@archaeologists.net and we will arrange payment of the application fee with you.
