Membership - Who can join?
Despite our name, membership is not restricted to carpenters – we also welcome joiners, shopfitters, formwork carpenters, furniture & cabinet makers, boat builders (woodworking skills), heavy structural post & beam carpenters, wheelwrights, woodcarvers & woodturners – in fact, most professional people working with wood. Our purpose is to support members and to help raise standards by bringing together a network of people with a genuine interest in wood and our trades.
To ensure that membership of the IOC continues to be a sign of quality, we only approve applicants with relevant qualifications such as a proven track record, backed up with references. This can reassure prospective customers that they are using a genuine, skilled craftsperson who takes real pride in the quality of their work.
We would like to welcome you to a ‘family’ of like-minded, highly skilled and respected professionals who are proud of their heritage as craftspeople. For less than the cost of a coffee a week you too can stand out from the competition.
We’ve continued to work hard to add more benefits to your IOC membership. This is where you can find out all about them and how to take advantage of your discounts and contact our partners to find out more.
Membership Grades & Fees
Click any of the sections below to explore the different grades of membership.
Full Membership Grades
There are three different grades of full membership:
Fellow (FIOC)
Qualifications: A minimum Level 4 managerial qualification in construction or wood manufacturing, and / or:
IOC membership exam passed: Fellowship
Professional Experience: As for MIOC with the addition of managerial experience and supported by references.
Fees: £150 per year
If you would like to join the FIOC Grade but have questions about membership
If you are ready to apply for FIOC membership
Member (MIOC)
Qualifications: NVQ level 3 or City & Guilds Advanced Craft Certificate (or equivalent) in a wood trade, and / or:
IOC membership exam passed: Advanced Craft Certificate (practical & theory)
Professional Experience: Working craftsperson with experience of working independently or within a team and having taken on additional responsibilities and supported by references.
Fees: £131 per year
If you would like to join the MIOC Grade but have questions about membership
If you are ready to apply for MIOC membership
Licentiate (LIOC)
Qualifications: NVQ level 2 or City & Guilds Craft Certificate (or equivalent) in a wood trade, and / or:
IOC membership exam passed: Advanced Craft Certificate (Practical)
Professional Experience: Working craftsperson with experience working independently or within a team and supported by references.
Fees: £97 per year
If you would like to join the LIOC Grade but have questions about membership
If you are ready to apply for LIOC membership
Student Membership
Student Membership
Qualifications: Student currently undertaking training in one of the wood trades on a recognised college course.
IOC membership exam passed: n/a
Professional Experience: Note: Student membership is allowed for up to 4 years while enrolled on a course of study as detailed above.
Fees: FREE (IOC college) £21 (non-IOC college)
If you are a student interested in joining the Institute and your college is not already a member, why not tell them about IOC College Membership so that you can benefit from free membership for the duration of your studies on a woodworking-related course + 1 year after graduation? College membership rates are £150 p.a.
If you would like to join the Student Grade but have questions about membership
If you are ready to apply for Student membership
Associate Membership
We also welcome members who are not qualified in the trade but are interested in being involved with the Institute, as they can bring additional skills that our professional members do not necessarily have experience with.
As an Associate member, you are still entitled to attend meetings, visits, and social occasions and contribute towards furthering the aims of the Institute.
Fees: £97 per year
To find out more about about Associate Membership
If you are ready to apply for Student membership
Corporate Membership
Corporate Membership is open to companies engaged in any aspect of carpentry, joinery, shopfitting, timber construction or other related woodworking activities. Applicants are required to meet our Corporate Membership Entry Requirements to adhere to our Code of Professional Standards
If you would like your business to become a Corporate Member, but have questions about membership:
If you are ready to apply for Corporate Membership
Corporate (£0-1m)
Corporate membership for businesses with up to £1m in turnover. In addition to corporate membership, this tier allows for up to 2 individuals to be members of the IOC
Corporate (£1-5m)
Corporate membership for businesses with between £1m to £5m in turnover. In addition to corporate membership, this tier allows for up to 3 individuals to be members of the IOC
Corporate (£5-25m)
Corporate membership for businesses with between £5m and £25m in turnover. In addition to corporate membership, this tier allows for up to 2 individuals to be members of the IOC
Corporate (£25-50m)
Corporate membership for businesses with between £25m to £50 in turnover. In addition to corporate membership, this tier allows for up to 2 individuals to be members of the IOC
Schools & Colleges
We welcome educational establishments teaching relevant wood trade courses – both in schools and colleges.
The benefits of IOC membership are threefold as there are benefits for the college, the Liaison Officer and their students. We offer student membership – free for those studying at an IOC member college.
We believe that by involving students who are at the start of their careers, we are laying the foundations for their involvement with the Institute on a more long-term basis thus helping to ensure that as generations change, the traditional skills and high standards of work are maintained.
Fees: £150 per year
If you would like your school or College to become a member but have questions about membership
If you are ready to apply for School & College membership
Membership Benefits
Our aim is to support our members at all stages of their professional career and we have put together a suite of benefits to help you along the way – from discounted websites, through to free listings on our website and regional membership meetings. There are the usual benefits you’d expect from membership to a professional body and some extras too and they’re all included automatically as part of your annual membership fee. All membership discount codes and landing pages can be accessed through Glue Up.
- Certificate of membership & annual membership card
- Use of designatory letters (depending on your grade)
- Free public listings on IOC website
- Annual General Meeting at Carpenters’ Hall, London
- Access to the Members’ only area on the Glue Up platform
- Quarterly editions of Cutting Edge magazine
- Use of IOC logo (although not the IOC crest) on your stationery / website
- MIOC and FIOC can apply direct for the PQP CSCS card
- Discounted Which? Trusted Traders Scheme
- Trade specific insurance packages from Courtprice
- 10% discount on legal contracts at BEB Contract & Legal Services
- 10% discount with Numbers Ltd. accountants
- 10% discount with CADUK – specialists in level 3+ construction NVQs
- 10% discount (£100 spend) at IronmongeryDirect – discount code required
- 10% discount card from Tradepoint / B&Q (over 18s)
- Eligible to apply to become a Master Joiner
- Exclusive quote from CarpenterSaver – an insurance offer specifically designed for the trade
- Discounted cover from AA Fleetwise
- Credit Safe – discounted credit checks
- EdApp – RoSPA accredited online learning platform
- Fuel Card Services – discounted fuel cards
- Hospital & Medical Care Association (HMCA) – 40% off the
underwriter’s standard rates - Wider Wallet – Access discounts at high street retailers/save
on gift cards
Members' Discounts
40% discount off the underwriter’s standard rates.
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A 10% discount (excl. Plant Operations) is available to members
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Tailor your insurance to meet your individual business needs
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10% discount card from TradePoint
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Discounted membership of the Which? Trusted Traders endorsement scheme.
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Specialised insurance cover for IOC Members
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10% discount for IOC members.
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10% off fully bespoke terms and conditions from BEB Contract and Legal Services.
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