If you need archaeological work to be carried out, CIfA strongly recommends the use of a CIfA Registered Organisation and ideally a CIfA accredited archaeologist.
Please read the information below before using the search the register functions for Registered Organisations and accredited professionals.
The Registered Organisation scheme is a unique quality assurance scheme. It is a badge of commitment to professional standards and competence.
Registered Organisations are led by Members (MCIfAs) and have demonstrated the ability to provide informed and reliable advice, to execute schemes of work appropriate to the circumstances, minimising uncertainty, delay and cost, to act ethically and comply with professional standards
Accreditation of individuals recognises the professionalism of practitioners, improves their careers and attracts new people into archaeology. We have three grades of professional accreditation - Practitioner (PCIfA), Associate (ACIfA) and Member (MCIfA). They cover all roles, including advisors, contractors, consultants, academics, and volunteers. Accreditation is available for any area of archaeological practice, for example archives, buildings, education, excavation, environmental, finds, forensics, geophysics, graphics, marine, museums and community archaeology. For more information please see the Summary of professionally accredited grades.
Please see our FAQ page for any questions you have about archaeology in the planning process and commissioning professional archaeologists. You can also find more information about why you need a professional archaeologist to help you in our client guides
- Professional archaeology: a guide for clients - for larger projects
- Archaeological works: a guide for construction companies and householders - for small developments and householders
Find a Registered Organisation
The Register of organisations includes all Registered Organisations of the Chartered Institute who have given us permission to include their details in line with GDPR. These organisations have undergone rigorous peer review through regular inspections by a panel (which include a site visit for organisations that undertake intrusive works), and are assessed by CIfA's Registrations committee (organisations).
Find an accredited professional
The Directory of Accredited Professionals includes all accredited professionals of the Chartered Institute who have given us permission to include their details in line with GDPR. These accredited professionals have had their technical competence and ethical suitability assessed by CIfA’s Validation committee. They also abide by the Institute’s Code of conduct.
Members can login to the website to change their details here.
In addition, CIfA has non-accredited Students and Affiliates who support the Institute. They have not been assessed and do not sign up to the Code but are encouraged to work towards it.
Please note
Entries are from live data and, although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Institute shall not be liable for any errors or omissions.
The Institute will not be liable for any matter arising from the employment or engagement of any such organisation or individual. If you have any concerns about the professional conduct of a Registered Organisation or accredited member in relation to their archaeological practice, please see the professional conduct page.
Are you an organisation that should register?
Registering an archaeological organisation with CIfA is the best way for quality conscious organisations to demonstrate they have the requisite skills to provide informed and reliable advice, and to carry out work in accordance with professional archaeological standards. CIfA actively promotes its Registered Organisations to potential clients.
For more information and how to apply, please see Register your organisation.
Are you an individual who should be accredited?
Becoming an accredited professional with CIfA is the best way to demonstrate you have the requisite skills to undertake archaeological work in accordance with professional archaeological standards. CIfA actively promotes its accredited professionals to potential clients.
For more information and how to apply, please see Accredited Application page
