The IOC was formed in 1890 by 11 craftsmen who had achieved first-class passes in exams set by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters (WCC), one of the oldest livery companies. We have a rich history of being involved in setting the standard across Carpentry and Joinery since our formation.

In 1990 the College of Arms presented the IOC with its own Coat of Arms. The accompanying text is, as follows:

To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come Sir Alexander Colin Cole Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order upon whom has been conferred the Territorial Decoration Garter Principal King of Arms Sir Anthony Richard Wagner Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the bath Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Clarenceux King of Arms and John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little Esquire Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Send Greeting!
Whereas Terence Stuart Mallison Gentleman President of The Institute of Carpenters hath represented unto The Most Noble Miles Francis Stapleton Duke of Norfolk Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England that the Incorporated British Institute of Certified Carpenters was incorporated on the Twenty-second day of January 1903 under the Companies Acts 1862-1900 with the principal purposes of maintaining traditions of the ancient craft of carpentry and to advance and enhance the status of those engaged in woodworking crafts That on the Fifth day of June 1976 the name of the said Incorporated British Institute of Certified Carpenters was changed by Special Resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting to the Institute of Carpenters That the affairs of the Institute of Carpenters are managed by a Council and such Council being desirous of having Armorial Ensigns established under lawful authority and recorded in Her Majesty’s College of Arms for the Institute of Carpenters he as President of the said Council and on behalf of the same hath requested the favour of His Grace’s Warrant for Our granting and assigning such Arms and Crest and in the same Patent such Device or Badge as We deem suitable to be borne and used by The Institute of Carpenters on its Common Seal or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms And Forasmuch as the said Earl of Marshal did by Warrant under his hand and Seal bearing date the Twenty-Eighth day of February 1990 authorize and direct Us to grant and assign such Arms and Crest and such Device or Badge accordingly. Know Ye therefore that we said Garter Clarenceux and Horroy and Ulster in pursuance of His Grace’s Warrant and by virtue of the Letters Patent and Our several office granted by The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty to each of Us respectively do by these Presents grant and assign unto The Institute of Carpenters the Arms following that is to say:- Vert on a Chevron Or between two Cottice dovetailed on the outer edge Argent two Carpenters Planes in chevron Gules all between three Oak Trees eradicated Gold And for the Crest upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Vert A Beaver sejant erect Gules tailed Or supporting a Pair of Compasses Argent Mantled Vert double Argent And by the Authority aforesaid We do further grant and assign the following Device or Badge that is to say On a Roundel Or a Roundel dovetailed Vert Thereon an Oak Tree eradicated Gold as are all in the margin hereof more plainly depicted to be borne and used hereafter by The Institute of Carpenters on its Common Seal or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms In Witness whereof We the said Garter Clarenceaux and Horroy and Ulster have to these Present subscribed Our names and affixed the Seals of Our several Offices this Second day of April in the Fortieth year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth the Second by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith and in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and ninety one.